Second Book Begins Here

 HERE IT IS

> When I penned my book, "Evidence of God", it was meant to be followed by another. With the tragic onset of COVID, all plans for book signings, speaking engagements and publication was thwarted - even after Zondervan showed interest in publishing.

> "Evidence of God" was of a personal nature but I mean to follow that with an in depth writing of a book titled "From the Beginning" which has nothing to do with my life, finding my personal Jesus or finding my children after 50 years of separation.

> I am now prompted to do something with my writings and notes for this second book. 

> I am going to publish it right here - in parts. Whether I complete the entire volume or not, what I do have will be here for anyone to read who is interested in hermaneutics and/or apologetics in every day English, via Hebrew/Messianic interpretations.

> Hopefully, this will spur me to continue my research and actually complete this in-depth study.

> "In The Beginning" begins here.

> Dedication To Mary: My roll model. You are everything that I aspire to be. I love you, then, now and always

 

Book 2, "From The Beginning" 

The Disobedience of Moses

Do you remember Moses disobeying the Lord out of anger and striking the rock when he was told to speak to it - ? This was discussed in class yesterday and there were many insights:

> "Kadesh" translates from Hebrew into "Sacred" in English. This took place in a sacred place.

> The people were blaming Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. They had forgotten about the Lord and all the miracles He had done to save them from slavery, early death, torture and long hours of work in desert sun.

> They forgot the Lord parting the Red Sea, providing shade during the day, heat at night, the food of angels to eat, clothes that did not wear out and more.

> As always, the Lord was merciful about the complaining of His people and told Moses what to do to give them water. Speak to "THE Rock" in this sacred place.

> Moses could not control his anger toward the people enough to obey the Lord who told him to SPEAK to the rock. His anger is evident in verse 20:10 of Numbers when he calls the people "rebels".

> In Ex. 17, a similar situation occurred. That is when Moses was told to STRIKE the rock and he obeyed.

> Here, he is told to SPEAK through faith in the Lord as opposed to DOING something; just as we are to work through faith in Jesus rather than by our own works/actions.

> Nu. 20:12 notes that Moses did not trust enough to honor the Lord as holy to the Israelites, God's chosen people. The LORD, being Jesus pre-incarnate, was not being honored in the eyes of His People; the rebellious people He will lay down His life for.

** Let's look at this on a deeper level: Jesus is our ROCK (the foundation of the church; the corner STONE), the Holy Spirit is frequently referenced with water.

> In Ex. 17 Moses STRUCK the rock ONE time - just as Jesus has been struck down ONCE and water poured forth, as the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentacost, documented in the book of Acts.

> Here in Numbers 20, Moses is told to SPEAK to this rock as we are to converse in prayer with our Lord Jesus who works through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (water) upon us to work in and through us on the Lord's behalf.

> When Moses disobeyed and STRUCK the rock the situation is as though Jesus were struck down more than once. NOT SO! He was struck down once as our sacrifice and will not be struck down again! He is returning as the defeating warrior King! Not only was this disobedience, but a great lack of respect for all Jesus will do.

** I put to you that Moses was aware of the pre-incarnate Savior and God's eternal plan of salvation. (This revelation for another time.)

 

 

> Moses actually HIT the rock TWICE, out of uncontrolled anger, symbolizing Jesus struck down three times.

> This was insult on two levels: disobedience to the Lord and a lie about our Savior, Jesus, our Rock.

> This was such a rebellious act that it kept Moses from entering the Promised Land after a lifetime of serving the Lord.

** Will any of us be kept from Paradise because we slander the sacrifice of Jesus by our daily actions - our obedience? Do we know what it is to be obedient? How do we find out what it is to be obedient to God's word?

> We should never underestimate the gratitude of God for the unwavering sacrifice of His Son to save us, His family.

 

Small book, Big story

Philemon: a very small book in the New Testament; a letter from Paul who is under house arrest in Rome.

> This is a lovely letter asking a Christian slave owner to forgive his run away slave.

> This is a perfect letter for us to remember when we are in a position to forgive - or not.

 

 

> In Rome, a runaway slave was in very, very serious trouble; he could loose his life.

> But . . . there is a wonderful underlying message from the book. It tells us of Jesus as our Mediator with God; the one who speaks for forgiveness on our behalf.

> Just as Paul is pleading for Onesimus, so does our Savior now plead for us when we do wrong.

> In the right circumstances and a poor heart, we could loose our salvation.

> Paul had a personal interest in Onesimus because he was instrumental in the slave's conversion to Christianity - just as Jesus has an interest in us after the suffering He did on our behalf.

> Paul was also very close to Philemon through their Christian brotherhood - just as Jesus is part of God.

> Got a minute? Take a look at this sweet letter and see Jesus in the place of Paul, Christians in place of Onesimus and God as Philemon. Read it with the deeper meaning to see the concern of our Mediator and how He offers to pay for what we owe.

> Postscript: The letter does not say if Philemon did forgive his slave BUT . . . the name "Onesimus" means "Useful" and the name "Philemon" means "He Who Shows Kindness". We can also relate these definitions to how God sees us and it reminds us of His kindness.

 

Song of Songs

 Song of Songs/Song of Solomon:

> This is a love letter between Jesus and His bride to be, the Church 

 

 

> 1:1 - 4, Love wants intimacy. Jesus wants a personal relationship with each believer.

> 1:7, This is the Good Shepherd tending His flock.

> 2:2, Jesus sees His church as believers among sinners/sheep among wolves

> 2:3b, His blessings

> 2:11 & 12, See Rev. 22:1-3

> 4:2, He sees His followers as pure, bright and perfect

> 4:3 line 3, He sees your thoughts as pure thru the blood.

> 4:3 line 4, Fruit of blessing; seeds of pure thought; God sees our thoughts as pure.

> 4:4 line 1, The neck refers to your will (the neck turns to right or left, good or evil)

> 4:4 line 2, Our will is submitted to the Lord

> 4:7, How God sees the church through the blood of His Son

> 4:16, Refers to God's people, believers in Christ.

> 5:1, Jesus saying He is among His followers and enjoys being with us.

> 5:2 Lines 4 thru 6, This is Jesus calling in desperation.

> 5:3, The church hesitates to answer His call.

> 5:6, States the chance of missing out on our calling to follow.

> 5:8, This is the right answer. Fall in love with your Savior.

> 5:10, The ruddy complexion references the blood running down His body.

> 5:11, Referencing His head as gold is referencing His mind as pure.

> 6:1, Because of the testimony of the church, others seek after Jesus.

> 6:2, This is Jesus on earth (the church) seeking after those who will follow.

> 6:11, He is on earth to add to the body of His bride, the church.

> 6:13, Last minute followers desperate for Jesus.

> 8:5, The wilderness is the world, "Who" is the church, Beloved is Jesus.

* Far fetched? I think not. Read through this short, beautiful and poetic book with new insight.