Make the Bible Yours
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. [Read more…]
God used the journey of Israel from Egypt to illustrate the path of salvation. It was the path of “salvation” for the infant nation of Israel and marked the path for individuals today as well. The message of Passover is the message of 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. [Read more…]
It is always interesting to consider what the Bible tells us and what it does not. The end of Genesis focuses on the life of Joseph after the death of Jacob. The beginning of Exodus focuses on the people of Israel almost 400 years later (The gap between Joseph’s death and Moses’ birth is estimated to be 279 years). No account is given of events between these points. Even though extremely interesting, these events are evidently not necessary for us to understand God’s redemption process, therefore, the Bible is silent on this era. [Read more…]
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill – 1942
These are the words of Winston Churchill in the early days of WWII. As we complete our study of the book of Genesis, I feel the same way. Genesis (Hebrew: B-re-sheet) means “in the beginning”. This book provides the foundation for the rest of the Bible. In it we have the creation account, the fall and the early judgment of mankind. I have called these judgments “God’s acts to limit the expression of evil through mankind”. Following these judgments, we have the revelation of the beginning of the redemption process which has now been working out in the human community for 4,000 years. [Read more…]
As noted in previous studies, the latter section of the book of Genesis (chapters 37-50) is prophetic in nature. The future leadership of the nation of Israel is described hundreds of years before the fact. Joseph is a unique type of Messiah. His descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh will become leaders of the northern tribes of Israel. Judah, on the other hand, will be the dominant tribe in the south. Through Judah, God will preserve a remnant to complete His purpose of redemption. Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah. Even though the division of Israel between Judah and Joseph is only temporarily healed from time to time during the First Kingdom Era (1447 – 586 BC/BCE), the unification of the whole house of Israel will be accomplished in the Diaspora. Ezekiel prophesied of this unification (Ezekiel 37:15-23). [Read more…]