Category: Discussions

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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?

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?

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Job 5-8: Learning to lovingly ‘disagree’ with God

Richard Agee

When someone “disagrees” with God, we should encourage them to read the book of Job. God Himself tells us that ’Iyyob (Job) had integrity, fortitude and was a righteous man, yet he still to learn how God acts.
Most believers long to speak with God face to face, as Moshe (Moses) did. If you pray to God you willing to hear what He has to say in response, you will hear Him and have a fulfilling relationship.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 20:27-40: Yeshua reinforces hope in the resurrection

Jeff

Following Lamb Selection Day of the 10th day of the first month of God’s calendar, Pharisee and Sadducee leaders were closely examining Yeshua, the Lamb of God, without even knowing it by putting some very tough questions to Him (Lk. 20:27-40; Matt. 22:23-33; Mk. 12:18-27). Sadducees challenged Yeshua on the reality of the resurrection by lobbing a gotcha question at Him, and Yeshua responded by pointing to the hope God provides of a world made new.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Job 1-4: Be slow to judge others

An image of an elderly man with a long white beard kneeling at an intricately designed stone altar with a large flame emanating from its center. The setting is a serene outdoor landscape with trees and mountains under a twilight sky. The text on the left reads, "Be slow to judge others" in bold, golden letters, with "Job 1-4" written in a cursive style above. The logo "hallel.info" is visible in the bottom right corner. The image conveys themes of wisdom, humility, and reflection, inspired by the biblical story of Job.

Given an outside view of what the Adversary was allowed to do to ’Iyyob (Job), we can look down on the spiritual ignorance of his three friends and even of ’Iyyob’s statements in his defense. Rather, this is a powerful lesson on proverbially removing the “log” from one’s eye before looking for the “sawdust” in someone else’s.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Kings 15:25-16:14: The Seven-Step Cycle of Corrupt Kings

A regal figure wearing a golden crown and ornate robe stands on a winding path in a lush, mountainous landscape at sunrise. The text overlay reads, "THE SEVEN-STEP CYCLE OF CORRUPT KINGS 1 KINGS 15:25-16:14," with a logo and website "hallel.info" in the bottom right corner.

When we deviate from God’s path, it is our duty to bring our deviations back to God’s path, following God’s guidance in doing so. Ba’asha, king of northern Yisrael, was warned by a prophet the danger of his path but refused to address the issue and turn back to God’s path. There is a seven-fold pattern in the lives of Yeroboam (Jeroboam), Ba’asha and Solomon in being God’s instrument but going too far. David provides the correct pattern.