Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies

Understanding the Scriptures for Times Such as These

You are here: Home / Archives for Ken Garrison

Ken Garrison

Bible Study: Exodus 21-24 (Mishpatim)

Bible Study

God spoke what we call the “Ten Commandments” in the hearing of all of Israel. The people were terrified and requested that Moses hear from God on their behalf. So, God gave the more detailed commandments to Moses who then relayed them to Israel. According to Rabbinical reckoning, there are 613 commandments. These commandments define what I will call a “Biblical lifestyle” for God’s people. 

When we consider the commandments, I propose that they fall into two basic categories: the first has to do with commandments defining relationship between God and man, the second category has to do with commandments defining relationship between man and his neighbor. In other words, the first has to do with vertical relationships while the second has to do with horizontal relationships. In a similar manner, we can consider the first five of the “Ten Commandments” are vertical while the last five are horizontal. Jesus recognized these two categories. When asked concerning the most important commandment, He answered:

[Read more…] about Bible Study: Exodus 21-24 (Mishpatim)

Bible Study: Exodus 18-20 (Yitro)

Bible Study, Prophecy

In this section of the Bible the most powerful manifestation of God to this date is recorded.  Nothing in history compares to it, however, I believe that it is prophetic of an even greater manifestation in the future.  

The timing of Israel’s encounter with God will define the second of the Biblical festivals, Shavuot, described in Leviticus 23.   Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai on the first day of the third month (about 42 days after the Exodus from Egypt).  After a few days (we will assume seven days total) God descended onto the mountain and a covenant was made between God and the nation of Israel.  The exact timing is not specified but after their arrival, there was a three day purification period.  Later the festival of Shavuot is specified to occur on the 50th day following the Shabbat after Passover.  I therefore arrive at the speculation that an additional four days were spent at Mt. Sinai after their arrival before God initiated the covenant.

[Read more…] about Bible Study: Exodus 18-20 (Yitro)

Will You Identify with Israel or the World?

Current Events, Hebraic Roots

World events continue to pressure each of us to choose identity with either the universal world system or with the nation of Israel. This program investigates the history of the separation of Christianity from Israel and encourages you to identify with the God, people and land of Israel.

Bible Study: Exodus 13-17 (Beshalach)

Bible Study

God used the journey of Israel from Egypt as a means to illustrate the path of salvation.  It was the path of “salvation” for the infant nation of Israel and also marked the path for individuals even in our day.  The message of Passover was deliverance.  God delivered Israel from the most powerful nation of that day.  The blood of the Passover Lamb distinguished the household of faith and the family within was delivered.  The absence of the blood marked the household that experienced judgment and death.  The message today is clear.

The events described as Israel passed through the “Red Sea” symbolizes water baptism in the life of the believer today.  Moses parted the water of the sea to permit Israel to pass through.  The water closed on the pursuing Egyptian army and destroyed them.  This experience forever separated captive from captor.  Moses declared:

[Read more…] about Bible Study: Exodus 13-17 (Beshalach)

Bible Study: Exodus 10-13 (Bo)

Bible Study

In this section of the Bible we have the account of the ultimate judgment of Egypt which led to the exodus of Israel from Egypt.   God demonstrated that He was able to deliver His people from the strongest world power of that day.  In the process, God executed judgment of the gods of Egypt in order to demonstrate His power.

“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments – I am the Lord.”  (Exodus 12:12)

[Read more…] about Bible Study: Exodus 10-13 (Bo)

Bible Study: Exodus 6-9 (Va’eira)

Bible Study

In the Exodus account, God revealed important aspects of His name. In the previous section, we discussed the importance of the name “I will be that which I will be”. God declared that He was not only self-existent but also that He could not be defined. Obviously, the human mind desperately wants to define who and what God is. God simply declared that we cannot. He has chosen to reveal a great deal about Himself through the Bible. This is sufficient for us to serve Him and His purpose. The process of “knowing” His name will, I believe, be an infinite task lasting throughout eternity.

There are two aspects of the concept of “name” that we must consider from a Biblical perspective. Name can mean “an identifier”. God declared this name also in the previous section. He is the “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”. This is the name by which God chooses to be known as throughout all generations. This is the God revealed in the Bible. We should always be careful to insure that we clearly utilize this name when we are speaking of God. It is our responsibility to insure that there is no misunderstanding here. There are many “gods” in this world. There is only one who is revealed in the Bible.

[Read more…] about Bible Study: Exodus 6-9 (Va’eira)