Category: Discussions

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

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

Jeff

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

Richard Agee

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.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Kings 17, part 1: Messianic messages in Eliyahu’s miracles for the widow

Daniel Agee

This chapter recounts a beautiful example of a woman who trusted God. She was not a part of Israel, yet she trusted the God revealed by Israel. She spoke to Eliyahu (Elijah) about “the Lord your God” and she knew that this drought was due to the God of Israel.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Job 32-37: Elihu prepares Iyyob to meet God

Richard Agee

There’s a tendency to discount what the friends of ’Iyyob (Job) have to say, because God corrects them at the end of the book. Yet, significant portions of counsel from one friend, Elihu, actually prepare ’Iyyob’s heart — for example, hope of a mediator with God and resurrection — for the epic encounter with God in the closing chapters of the book.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37: Do the greatest and second-greatest commandments dissolve the Torah?

Jeff

Which is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34) is the third of the four great questions the leaders of Israel asked Yeshua, scrutinizing the chosen Lamb of God leading up to one great Passover. The pinnacle of all these discussions is about the purpose and goal of the Law.

There isn’t a directly parallel “greatest commandment” passage in Luke, but there were earlier passages (Luke 10:25-37; 18:18-27) in which Yeshua was questioned about which commandments are connected to “eternal life.”

A distillation of the Law is meant to focus one’s attention on the “weightier matters of the Law,” rather than replace even the seemingly insignificant ones.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Job 8-14: Iyyob begs God to end the war against him

Richard Agee

As we go through this book, Iyyob (Job) and his friends become more hostile. His friends can’t convince Iyyob that he is a unrepentant sinner, and Iyyob can’t convince his friends of his integrity. Iyyob said God was fighting against him, but Iyyob would not assume to fight against God.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Kings 16:15-34: Zimri & Omri: The next level of Yehudah’s corruption

A dramatic, Baroque-style image features a man with a raised sword standing over another man who is collapsed on the ground. A golden calf idol glows in the background atop a pedestal, lit by firelight. Overlaid in large, bold white text is the title: “ZIMRI & OMRI: THE NEXT LEVEL OF YEHUDAH’S CORRUPTION.” In the bottom left corner is the hallel.info logo.

We will answer two main questions: Was King Zimri of the southern kingdom of Yehudah (Judah) worse than King Omri? What is God’s purpose to replace one king with another?