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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 19:29-44: Lamb of God takes prophetically foreboding donkey ride into Yerushalayim for Passover

Two key themes in this passage are the arrival of Yeshua into Yerushalayim on a donkey and the responsive public cry, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” That blessed One came as the Lamb of God, yet Israel’s “shepherds” ignored Him, searching for the prophesied Lion of Yehudah. When the Lamb of God returns as the Lion of Yehudah, no one will be able to ignore Him.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Mark of a gift: Messianic meaning of circumcision

Modern society views the rite of circumcision to be backward at best and barbaric at worst. Yet, it actually is a cutting memorial of what God has cut away from the faithful — men and women — through the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 5:11-6:11 — David establishes his reign in Yerushalayim

David begins to establish himself in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). He builds a home and continues to establish his household. The Philistines find out about David’s promotion and attacks him but God helps David prevail against his enemies. After David pushes the Philistines back to their historic borders, David starts to bring the Ark of the Testimony from its place of exile back to Yerushalayim but the endeavor runs into trouble and the Ark’s trip to Yerushalayim stalls.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 1 — David mourns Yahunatan

David discovers the result of the war between Saul and the Philistines. The 2nd Samuel 1 starts with David’s revealing his utter heartbreak at hearing of the death of his best friend, Yahunatan (Jonathan).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Samuel 1-10 recap

We see a pattern of preparation and deliverance throughout the Bible. The book of Judges is one example but the pattern is even more obvious in 1st Samuel. God prepares the people of Israel to move from leadership of judges and priests to the leadership of monarchy.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Samuel 31 — Saul’s final battle

Few generals and kings approach an upcoming battle and know for absolute certainty that they will be dead by the end of it. This was Saul’s predicament here. The burden of that knowledge must have been unbearable. Questions about how Saul actually died abound since there seems to be two different version of the story in the Scriptures which need to be reconciled. This chapter also sparked conversation about ancient Israelite burial methods and suicide.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Samuel 29-30 — David is rebuffed by Philistia in fighting Israel but he rescues his wives

David volunteers to follow the Philistines into war but the Philistine leaders rebuke him and send him away. David remains in favor with Achish as he leaves the Philistines in peace and they battle the Israelites on their own. This release from service was a blessing because David had to rescue his wives and family as well as the families of his men from the raiding Amalekites.