Bible Character on Pottery Fragment

via Ferrell Jenkins blog

City of David inscription may name a Bible character

Posted on August 19, 2013 |

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced Sunday the discovery of “a layer of rich finds including thousands of broken pottery shards, clay lamps and figurines … in the area of the Gihon Spring in the City of David, in the Walls around Jerusalem National Park.”

Most intriguing is the recent discovery of a ceramic bowl with a partially preserved inscription in ancient Hebrew. While not complete, the inscription presents us with the name of a seventh century BCE figure, which resembles other names known to us from both the Biblical and archaeological record [see Press Release] and providing us with a connection to the people living in Jerusalem at the end of the First Temple period.

Pottery sherd of a bowl from the end of the First Temple Period, bearing the inscription “ryhu bn bnh.” Photo: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority.

Dr. Joe Uziel and Nashon Zanton, directors of the dig, were working in ruins belonging to the period of the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians when the inscription was found. They say that the name most similar to the inscription is “Zechariah the son of Benaiah, the father of the Prophet Jahaziel.”

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:14-1k5 ESV)

More information about this discovery is available in the IAA Press Release here. Other finds from the same area, shown in the photo below, are impressive.

Various finds from the fill layer of the end of the First Temple Period: oil lamps, LMLK stamped handles and female figurines. Photo: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority.

HT: Joseph I. Lauer; Todd Bolen, Bible Places Blog (see here for more news links)

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Redeemed - Do you know what it means?

The Bible states in 2 Peter 2:19, “You are a slave to whatever controls you”. Based on this alone, all of us are slaves to something - whatever controls us. This is why a Savior is such an important thing, for without a Savior we are lost in the sin which has controlled us. And Isaiah has stated very distinctly  "but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." Isa 59:2  

The book of Hosea presents what is the best written concept of the need of a Savior than any other book. In the center of the marketplace, you're in the middle of an auction, because YOU are what is being bid upon. As each successive bid is shouted out, you look in the eyes of those who are bidding on you and try to size them up. Are they kind or cruel? How hard will your labor have to be? How grueling is the master you are getting ready to serve?  Just as the auction is winding down, a stranger from the crowd stands up and offers a bid a thousand times higher than anyone else’s bid. There is no way anyone could ever match or beat the bid. As the auctioneer hastily accepts it, you look into that stranger’s eyes and realize he isn’t bidding on you to use you, like a slave. He’s buying you in order to set you free. This is what Jesus did for us!  He paid the price to set you free. The price for your freedom was so high you could never pay it. But he paid it for you. All of those sins that were on your shoulders? They were removed - placed upon Jesus, "who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." Rom 4:25  

Yet, people do not take advantage of the freedom that Christ has purchased. Even if you’re a follower of Jesus, you may not be living in that freedom. You may be allowing yourself to be controlled by your desires, your relationships, schedule, or your fears.  So many people spend their lives seeking significance and freedom on manmade dead-end passes. Yet, the truth is stated in the Psalms, Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, (Psalm 49:7-8)

In what ways do you let things other than God have mastery over your life?  How does knowing and reflecting upon what Jesus went through to pay for your freedom change how you embrace that freedom? "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?" Gal 4:9  

Jim

Sunday Night Notes

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against …

Passages with similar language (Eph.1:20,21; 2:2; 3:10; Col.2:14; 1 Pt.3:22)


Principalities - chief rule or rulers in the world

Powers - delegated powers spiritual or otherwise

the world's rulers – “shady rulers” epithet For Satan

darkness of this age – that which influences and increases

spiritual wickedness in high places. – Heaven and Earth

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God In Our Lives

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 

(James 1:5-6)

We all want God to be in our lives, to see and feel the presence of God around us. In this past Sunday's lesson, we learned that abiding in Christ (Jn.15:4) is that wordless, secret conversation between you and God that doesn't cease.  James teaches us two particular things that you have to have in place, in order for that level of conversation to occur.

1.) You have to ask the right person, God.   So many times we say, “God, please guide me!” and we walk away, not even waiting for guidance. We just immediately start to work. We say, “God, I want you to give me wisdom; help me make the right decision.” But we don’t really expect him to do that. We think it all depends on us. It doesn't!  It depends on God! That's what James says, that we have to learn to place our dependence, trust, and expectation in God. 

2.) You have to ask with the right attitude — in faith, expecting an answer.  Have you ever asked God for something and didn't expect to get it? That’s why you didn't get it. God works in our lives according to faith. God has promised to give us wisdom, if we will ask. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view, not our own. It is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions, or the wisdom to allow God to make the decision. 

When have you seen God answer a specific prayer in your life or the life of another? Hasn't it always been when total trust in God was given? Wasn't it always when you couldn't do it yourself? When you had to cry out to God because you didn't know how? When your expectations came to the point of being powerless to do it of yourself?

Try keeping a journal of all your prayer requests, and then record how you see God answering your prayers. Do this for a three month period and then go back and review what you wrote. I think you'll be amazed, at how much you will see God interacting with you - and in ways that you did not expect!

Jim

Masada and The Bible via Ferrell Jenkins

Is Masada mentioned in the Bible?

Posted on August 7, 2013 | 6 Comments

N.B. This is post number 1500 since our beginning in 2007.

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The Hebrew word masada is generally translated stronghold or fortress in the English Bible. Gordon Franz (lifeandland.org) says King David visited the site of Masada at least three times.

1. After sending his parents to Moab (1 Samuel 22:1-5). Take a look at the previous post with the photos and map showing the lisan (tongue) of the Dead Sea. I envision this as the place where David could most easily cross to Moab and then return to the stronghold. 2. After he spared Saul’s life at Engedi (En Gedi) (1 Samuel 24:22). 3. When the Philistines were searching for him (2 Samuel 5:17).

This photo gives some idea of the fortress-like quality under consideration. Note the Dead Sea, the Lisan, and the mountains of Moab in the distance.

After a cable-car ride, or by walking the snake path for about an hour one reaches the entrance to the rock fortress of Masada. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

At least four of David’s psalms mention masada.

1. Psalm 18:2 (fortress). — “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (ESV) 2. Psalm 31:2-3 — “Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;” (ESV) 3. Psalm 71:1, 3 (fortress). — “In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” (ESV) 4. Psalm 144:1-2 (fortress). — “Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; 2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” (ESV)

We are uncertain about authorship of Psalm 91:1-2 (fortress). Beitzel, in The New Moody Atlas of the Bible, places David at Masada (p. 151; map 58).

Psalm 66:11 uses the word masada (translated net, trap or prison).

This photo was made from the top of Masada with a view toward the Dead Sea. The walk below leads to the site of Herod’s palace. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Understand that we are not referring to the Masada built by Herod the Great and later used by Jewish zealots during the period of A.D. 70-72. The stronghold had already been there for millennia.

The article by Gordon Franz is brief, but well documented. Read it here.

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Jesus' Crucifixion Not just Biblical Record

From my morning studies and information gathered from different sources and http://www.bethlehemstar.net 

Ancient non-Biblical historians record that Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (i.e.,Tacitus). Pilate was Roman procurator of Judea during the years 26 AD through 36 AD. The occurrence of the star, travel of the Magi, reaction of Herod etc. all point to Jesus being born in 3/2 BC. Jesus began his public ministry when he “was about 30 years old” (Lk.3:23), and the Book of John records three annual Passovers during Jesus’ ministry (Jn.2:23; 6:4; 13:1). Taken together, these bring us to a crucifixion date in the early 30’s, AD.  During those years, Nisan 14 fell on a Friday, Preparation Day, TWICE  on April 7 of 30 AD and April 3 of 33 AD ( Jack Finegan, The Handbook of Biblical Chronology).  

In Daniel’s prophecy (Dan.9:21-26) Gabriel said to count “from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” The prophet Nehemiah records it as the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. On our calendar, that date is 444 BC. Counting 476 years from 444 BC, and remembering that there is no year numbered “zero” AD, we discover what Gabriel told Daniel: the Messiah would be cut off in 33 AD. So, we have the year.  

Peter in Acts 2 says that Joel’s prophecy was being fulfilled in which the Sun would darken and moon turn to blood before the great and notable day of the Lord would come. We already know from biblical account, that Mk.15:33 that the Sun darkened beginning at the 6th hour (Noon) until the 9th hour (3pm). TRALLIANUS, OLYMPIADES records in the year of the 202nd Olympiad “a failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day [noon], so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea,” 

There is only one Passover lunar eclipse  visible from Jerusalem while during the combination of these events -on April 3, 33 AD.

Can you FEEL IT?

  fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Isa 41:10

This is a familiar scripture that you hear in song and see on many posters.  The promise of God to be there for us, uphold us, and be our strength for us. Yet for many, such faith does not come so quickly. Our circumstances, lives, billows and waves get in the way.  And if we allow them, they can become so dark that they will seek to block God out altogether. Therein lies the danger, and therein lies the Devil's greatest strength and lie.  

Your circumstances cannot change the character of God. God is God no matter where you are. He is still there in full force; He is still for you, even when you can't "feel it." Intellect and emotion have to balance one another in service to God.  If I have all intellect, but no emotion, then my faith is empty. If my faith is all emotion but no intellect, then I am not basing my faith on truth. In the same sense, we cannot become emotionless beings, acting on facts alone. Only the facts may be truthful, but it has no emotion, understanding, love, grace, or mercy. It is alone.  In the same manner, to have all emotion and no fact of truth is to operate without a guide. Faith then is a presumption based on how you feel, and if something disappoints you and lets down your emotion then there is nothing to hold up your faith. Jesus said we must worship in "spirit and in truth" Jn.4:24.

Remind yourself what you know to be eternally true about God:  He is good, he loves you, he is with you, he knows what you’re going through, he cares, and he has a good plan for your life. Raymond Edman, once said, “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.”

So, what has God told you in the light that you now doubt in the dark? Why do you doubt God now, when what has done for you in the past has proven that He knows you? Remember, your circumstances cannot change the character of God, but they can change you!  Paul reminded Timothy, "A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. " 2 Tim 2:4 And when our circumstances threaten to swallow us, we must remind ourselves,  "..looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." Heb 12:2,3 

Is your life a cacophony of emotions and mayhem that toss you around like a rag doll? Does it make you wonder if God is there, or even if there is a God at all? Does it make God seem small in comparison to what you face?  If so, then remember two things.  

1. 1 Cor 14:33  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace 
2. 1 Pet 5:8  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

Take care if you are in this stage of life, for it is exactly where Satan wants you to be - in a place where you will forget God!

Jim