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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Bible Study WELCOME TO A DEEP LOOK AT GENESIS
- Thread starter Chopper
- Start date
TOG
Member
God has always been a father to His people and has always wanted that relationship with His children.
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation. (Ps. 68:5 ESV)
R. Jehudah ben Thaima said: Thou shalt be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle; swift as a deer, and strong as a lion to do the will of thy Heavenly Father.
(Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure how to cite references from the Talmud.)
The TOG
Chopper
Member
My friend TOG, I think you missed the point of my post. I was not seeking a rebuttal to my opinion of a stern God in the O.T. Although He is called a Father, and rightly was, as you say. My point was that IMO, not many felt the father, but the God of command's, statutes, and laws that must be adhered to. The fellow who touched the ark and fell dead is an example.
My point is that now in the N.T. God appears as our loving Father, not like the O.T.
TOG
Member
I understood your point. It is a common misunderstanding that there is some difference between "the God of the Old Testament" and "the God of the New Testament". People seem to think that God was much stricter in the Old Testament and that he is more loving in the New Testament. That isn't what the Bible teaches. Was God not loving and did he not show mercy to His people when they were thirsty and He gave them water from a rock? And did He not show His righteous judgment of sin on Ananias and Sapphira? God is both loving and stern, and both sides of are shown in both testaments, but people tend to ignore one side in the Old Testament and ignore the other side in the New Testament. I was just pointing out that God doesn't change.
The TOG
Deborah13
Member
When I think of the individual Hebrew people in the Bible, I am amazed at their relationships with God.
Abraham bargained with God and Moses did too, even causing God to change His mind. David had an amazingly loving relationship with the Father. Jonah defied Him and Jacob wrestled with the angel of God. Gideon put out a fleece. Joseph lived in a pagan nation, as Daniel did, and managed to live perfectly with his Father and look at Esther, too.
They were so bold in the their faith and relationship with the Father; but not arrogant in their position as His children.
Considering how difficult life was at that time compared to now, I'm a wuse.
Chopper
Member
Day 142 Wednesday 9/10/14 Genesis 49:27 Benjamin.
Benjamin, we don't know much about this youngest son of Jacob except when he comes at the direction of Joseph, to be in the presence of his other brothers. History reveals that this Tribe lived up to to Jacob's blessing and prophesy. They were a warlike Tribe. Both Saul's were from this Tribe, Saul, the first King of Israel, and the Apostle Paul..
Ehud, the left handed Judge was from this Tribe. He killed his enemy Eglon, king of Moab (Judges 3:15). I have used Ehud as an example of showing the truth of the Scripture that says, "turn the other cheek."
The following is John Gill's comments on this Tribe of Benjamin. (e-Sword).
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf,.... All the three Targums apply this prophecy to the priests offering the daily sacrifice, morning and evening, in the temple, which stood in the lot of Benjamin, and dividing what was left, and eating it. But it respects the tribe itself, compared to a wolf for its fortitude, courage, and valour, as well as for its rapaciousness, it being a warlike tribe; and the Jewish writers (q) say, that it is compared to a wolf, because of its strength. Wolves, said to be devoted to Mars, are called "martial" wolves by Virgil (r) and Horace (s); and we have an early instance of the valour and success of this tribe in a war waged with all the other tribes, and in two pitched battles, in one with 26,000 men it beat 400,000, Jdg_20:15, and if this tribe is compared to a wolf for rapaciousness, this may be illustrated by the remainder of those, after the loss of a third battle, catching and carrying away the daughters of Shiloh, and making them their wives, Jdg_21:23. Some apply this to particular persons of this tribe, as to Saul the first king of Israel, who was of Benjamin; and who as soon as he took the kingdom of Israel, in the morning, in the beginning of that state, fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines, and the Amalekites, 1Sa_14:47 and to Mordecai and Esther, who were of the same tribe, who after the captivity, and in the evening of that state, divided the spoil of Haman, Est_8:1 this is observed by Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Ben Gersom. Some of the Christian fathers have applied the prophecy to the Apostle Paul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin; who in the morning of his youth was a fierce and ravenous persecutor, and made havoc of the church of God: and in the evening, or latter part of his life, spent his days in dividing the spoil of Satan among the Gentiles, taking the prey out of his hands, turning men from the power of Satan unto God, and distributed food to the souls of men. In a spiritual sense he was a warlike man, a good soldier of Christ, and accoutred as such, had a warfare to accomplish, and enemies to fight with; and did fight the good fight of faith, conquered, and was more than a conqueror through Christ, and is now crowned: and why may it not be applied to Christ himself, seeing the blessing of Benjamin by Moses, Deu_33:12 seems to belong to him? he is God's Benjamin, the son and man of his right hand, as dear to him as his right hand, in whom his power has been displayed, and who is exalted at his right hand; and may as well be compared to a wolf as to a lion, as he is the lion of the tribe of Judah, and as God himself is compared to a lion and bear, Hos_13:7 and who is expressly said to divide the spoil with the strong, Isa_53:12 spoiled principalities and powers, delivered his people as a prey out of the hands of the mighty, and will make an utter destruction of all his and their enemies. Some of these things were done in the morning of the Gospel dispensation, and others will be done in the evening of it, Col_2:15.
Benjamin, we don't know much about this youngest son of Jacob except when he comes at the direction of Joseph, to be in the presence of his other brothers. History reveals that this Tribe lived up to to Jacob's blessing and prophesy. They were a warlike Tribe. Both Saul's were from this Tribe, Saul, the first King of Israel, and the Apostle Paul..
Ehud, the left handed Judge was from this Tribe. He killed his enemy Eglon, king of Moab (Judges 3:15). I have used Ehud as an example of showing the truth of the Scripture that says, "turn the other cheek."
The following is John Gill's comments on this Tribe of Benjamin. (e-Sword).
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf,.... All the three Targums apply this prophecy to the priests offering the daily sacrifice, morning and evening, in the temple, which stood in the lot of Benjamin, and dividing what was left, and eating it. But it respects the tribe itself, compared to a wolf for its fortitude, courage, and valour, as well as for its rapaciousness, it being a warlike tribe; and the Jewish writers (q) say, that it is compared to a wolf, because of its strength. Wolves, said to be devoted to Mars, are called "martial" wolves by Virgil (r) and Horace (s); and we have an early instance of the valour and success of this tribe in a war waged with all the other tribes, and in two pitched battles, in one with 26,000 men it beat 400,000, Jdg_20:15, and if this tribe is compared to a wolf for rapaciousness, this may be illustrated by the remainder of those, after the loss of a third battle, catching and carrying away the daughters of Shiloh, and making them their wives, Jdg_21:23. Some apply this to particular persons of this tribe, as to Saul the first king of Israel, who was of Benjamin; and who as soon as he took the kingdom of Israel, in the morning, in the beginning of that state, fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines, and the Amalekites, 1Sa_14:47 and to Mordecai and Esther, who were of the same tribe, who after the captivity, and in the evening of that state, divided the spoil of Haman, Est_8:1 this is observed by Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Ben Gersom. Some of the Christian fathers have applied the prophecy to the Apostle Paul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin; who in the morning of his youth was a fierce and ravenous persecutor, and made havoc of the church of God: and in the evening, or latter part of his life, spent his days in dividing the spoil of Satan among the Gentiles, taking the prey out of his hands, turning men from the power of Satan unto God, and distributed food to the souls of men. In a spiritual sense he was a warlike man, a good soldier of Christ, and accoutred as such, had a warfare to accomplish, and enemies to fight with; and did fight the good fight of faith, conquered, and was more than a conqueror through Christ, and is now crowned: and why may it not be applied to Christ himself, seeing the blessing of Benjamin by Moses, Deu_33:12 seems to belong to him? he is God's Benjamin, the son and man of his right hand, as dear to him as his right hand, in whom his power has been displayed, and who is exalted at his right hand; and may as well be compared to a wolf as to a lion, as he is the lion of the tribe of Judah, and as God himself is compared to a lion and bear, Hos_13:7 and who is expressly said to divide the spoil with the strong, Isa_53:12 spoiled principalities and powers, delivered his people as a prey out of the hands of the mighty, and will make an utter destruction of all his and their enemies. Some of these things were done in the morning of the Gospel dispensation, and others will be done in the evening of it, Col_2:15.
Chopper
Member
Day 143 Thursday 9/11/14 Genesis 49:28-33 The Death Of A Great Patriarch Of Israel.
The death of Jacob the Patriarch of Israel who gave gave to Israel twelve Tribes that would shape the future under the direction of YHWH thru the different prophecy's of Jacob. Recording the death of Jacob is a sad event for me, as I was keenly interested in how his son's would function as the God of Israel would order their steps. Their lives were not much different from ours. Sure, it was a different time, culture, and purpose for their lives, but I was thinking about how they entered into wrong activities, as well as good.
Joseph's life had us riveted to the pages of Holy Writ as we followed his life of abuse, which many of us can identify with even if the circumstances are different. I have sometimes prayed to my Heavenly Father about my only son Skip (Charles Jr.) that God would bless my son as He did for Joseph. You know what?? It works. I have seen occasions when Skip would be blessed and the only way that could have happened was that God was the architect.
Here in the Old Testament, we have seen several mentions of great men of God being "gathered unto his people." Today, there is much speculation as to our death's and if we enter the next life awake and alert or sleep until the resurrection. I think we would be well advised to take these Scriptural accounts of these people who believed beyond a shadow of doubt that when they died, they would go directly to their deceased family. I too believe that absent from the body is present with the Lord. I long for what awaits me after I "give up the ghost." My dear Jennie has gone on before me as well as my Father and Mother. What a grand re-union that will be. Also there are those of whom the Lord drew to Himself thru either the sermons that He had me deliver, or the ones, face to face, who believed on the Son of God for forgiveness of sins, repentance of sins, and to receive Christ Jesus as the Master of their lives.
As well as feeling a little sad about the death of Jacob, I'm a little sad that we only have one more chapter in Genesis to go. This has been a wonderful study, IMO, and have learned so much that I hadn't learned in the many times I've studied this amazing Book of Holy Scripture. I want to thank you all for participating in this study, I have valued all your comments and look forward to our next study in the Gospel of Matthew.
The death of Jacob the Patriarch of Israel who gave gave to Israel twelve Tribes that would shape the future under the direction of YHWH thru the different prophecy's of Jacob. Recording the death of Jacob is a sad event for me, as I was keenly interested in how his son's would function as the God of Israel would order their steps. Their lives were not much different from ours. Sure, it was a different time, culture, and purpose for their lives, but I was thinking about how they entered into wrong activities, as well as good.
Joseph's life had us riveted to the pages of Holy Writ as we followed his life of abuse, which many of us can identify with even if the circumstances are different. I have sometimes prayed to my Heavenly Father about my only son Skip (Charles Jr.) that God would bless my son as He did for Joseph. You know what?? It works. I have seen occasions when Skip would be blessed and the only way that could have happened was that God was the architect.
Here in the Old Testament, we have seen several mentions of great men of God being "gathered unto his people." Today, there is much speculation as to our death's and if we enter the next life awake and alert or sleep until the resurrection. I think we would be well advised to take these Scriptural accounts of these people who believed beyond a shadow of doubt that when they died, they would go directly to their deceased family. I too believe that absent from the body is present with the Lord. I long for what awaits me after I "give up the ghost." My dear Jennie has gone on before me as well as my Father and Mother. What a grand re-union that will be. Also there are those of whom the Lord drew to Himself thru either the sermons that He had me deliver, or the ones, face to face, who believed on the Son of God for forgiveness of sins, repentance of sins, and to receive Christ Jesus as the Master of their lives.
As well as feeling a little sad about the death of Jacob, I'm a little sad that we only have one more chapter in Genesis to go. This has been a wonderful study, IMO, and have learned so much that I hadn't learned in the many times I've studied this amazing Book of Holy Scripture. I want to thank you all for participating in this study, I have valued all your comments and look forward to our next study in the Gospel of Matthew.
Deborah13
Member
Deborah13
Member
KJV
Gen 49:30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.
Gen 49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
Gen 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Do you or anyone else see a significance in the fact that Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, was not buried with Jacob and the others, but was buried along the road to Bethlehem, where the city of David would later stand?
I think that it is Rachel who is considered the mother of Israel, not Leah?
Mat 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
Mat 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Chopper
Member
You are so welcome Deb. I have certainly appreciated your dedication to our studies. Your heart felt comments were so wonderful and accurate. I'm really looking forward to your views and comments on Matthew. I have never done a deep study of Matthew. I certainly am counting on your godly wisdom. Matthew should be a very exciting Book....Thank you for leading us in these studies and sharing the insights that you have.
Chopper
Member
Oh my wonderful Buddy Reba. There aren't words to express how much I appreciate your commitment to our studies. You have been right by my side the whole time. There was always something that you'd say to pick me up when I was a little discouraged about how little I knew about each subject. I'm looking forward to Matthew because I need to know more about your views of the turn of events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem's Temple.
