Jacob Rose up Early - HD

As Jacob left the Promised Land, he had an encounter with God. Jacob was fleeing an enraged Esau leaving the land that was part of the blessing and promise he had just received from his father Isaac. Jacob was supposed to receive the land, yet he was on his way out of the land. Had he truly received the blessing? Would it really come to him instead of his brother Esau? When Jacob stopped for the night, God appeared to him in a dream. What does it mean that Jacob rose up early the next day? Why is this an important element in the account?

 

The Blindness of Isaac HD

Near the end of Isaac’s life, his plan was to bless his oldest son Esau and pass on to him the blessing and promise that God had made to Abraham. Isaac was getting older, and his eyesight deteriorated to the point where he could barely see. Isaac’s blindness allowed his wife Rebecca and his younger son Jacob to deceive him. We see the deceptive act of Rebecca and Jacob, but what was the real deception? The story is one of deception hidden in deception!

 

Hebron: The City of the Patriarchs

Abraham was a sojourner in the Promised Land. He didn’t have a permanent home, nor did he build cities. However, significant events in Abraham’s life happened in and around the city of Hebron. One of the most significant events is the death of his wife Sarah and her burial in the cave that Abraham purchased for that purpose. Abraham also purchased the land around the burial site. Later, he, his son Isaac with his wife Rebecca, and his grandson Jacob with his wife Leah would all be buried together in the same cave. What is the significance of the city of Hebron? Why is it important that Abraham purchased this land? Who were some of the famous residents of Hebron?

Abraham's Encounter with Yeshua

The LORD revealed Himself to Abraham seven times after Abraham had come into Canaan. At one of these occasions, God is described as appearing in the form of a man. The story begins with the appearance of three men after Abraham and his household were circumcised. As the story progresses, we learn that these men are not as they appear. Two of them are angels of the LORD and one of them is the LORD Himself. What is the purpose of this special visitation? In what way did Abraham encounter Yeshua?

 

The Seven-Fold Promise to Abram HD

Genesis chapter 12 begins as God calls Abram to leave his life behind and begin a new one in the land that God would show him. God promises to bless Abram when he leaves his old life behind. The promise has seven elements. The first three are what God will do for Abram. The fourth and middle element is a command to Abram; he is to be a blessing to others. The last three are towards others as they come into contact with Abram. What can we learn about Abram’s relationship with God and others through this promise?

 

Noah Walked with God HD

After God exiled Adam from the Garden of Eden, man’s rebellion continued. The first murder was when Cain killed his brother Abel. From there, mankind’s evil continued to grow until God repented that He had made man. The story of the flood follows, setting up the theme of the sinful nature of man and the judgment that must follow as a result of that sin. But the story is also one of hope and redemption. It is structured in such a way that it begins and ends with hope. At the center of the story, we find the death and resurrection message.

 

The Garden of Delight

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke into existence the first plant life, the sun, moon, and stars. He spoke into existence the birds, fish, and land animals. Then God did something different! God created Adam in His image. After creating Adam, God prepared a special place for Adam to live. He planted a garden specifically for Adam! God planted this garden in Eden. The name Eden, from #5730, means pleasure, delight, and delicate! This was a garden designed by and for delight! But, what is the significance of this garden? What was Adam’s role there? What was life like in the Garden of Delight?

The Last Great Day of the Feast - HD

In the Gospel of John, we read in great detail of Yeshua’s traveling back and forth between the Galilee region where he lived and Jerusalem. Yeshua always traveled to Jerusalem during the Feast days. On one particular Feast day, the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, Yeshua stood up in the temple and declared that He was the Living Water. What is the significance of Yeshua speaking these words during the Feast of Tabernacles, and especially on the last day which is considered the great day of the Feast? What other events happened during this feast when Yeshua declared that He was the Living Water?

 

You Shall Dwell in Booths HD

The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated by building and living in a hut or booth for seven days. During those seven days, special branches are combined with the Etrog or citron fruit and waved around. What is the significance of waving fruit and branches? Why remember that God had the children of Israel live in booths?

Yeshua: Passover Lamb or Goat of Atonement? HD

Tuesday evening October 11^th at sunset, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement begins. On this day, the high priest would have entered into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the priesthood and the entire nation of Israel. One of the goats brought before the LORD at this time carried away the sins of the nation of Israel. When Yeshua was baptized, John the Baptist proclaimed that He was the lamb who takes away the sins of the world. But Yeshua was crucified on Passover not on Yom Kippur. How can He be both the Passover Lamb and the Goat of Atonement?