Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Thief on the Cross

This is probably Salvation 101: The Basics, but for so many sincere believers in the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] there is still some confusion on how a person is saved or receives forgiveness of sins, so here is a brief reintroduction. Most, if not all the Evangelical or Pentecostal Churches teach that all you have to do is “believe” and confess Jesus as LORD and the Son of God, or just recite “The Sinner’s Prayer” to become a child of God. The ‘Thief on the Cross’ is usually the PEOPLE’S EXHIBIT A to prove that you don’t have to be baptized to be saved. The manner in which Jesus [Yeshua] chose to save him [the thief] under those extreme circumstances and others that He granted forgiveness of their sins was a special dispensation of grace given at the time. The following passages are offered for consideration:

Luke 5: 20-21, 24
When He [Jesus] saw their faith [being demonstrated-Cp. Luke 5: 18-19], He said to him [the paralyzed man], “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. . .”

NOTE: The man came to Jesus for his physical infirmity but the first thing the LORD does is to forgive his sin, and then cure him of the paralysis. Why didn’t the LORD simply cure him and be done with it because He encountered many people in His travels, but their sins, with the exception of a very few, were not even mentioned at all? The thing is the LORD can choose whatever method He deems appropriate to forgive sins, even baptism in water; as we shall see later on.

Luke 7: 36-38, 47-48
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him [Jesus] to dine with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman of the city who was a sinner, when you knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

John 5: 2, 5-6, 8, 14
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew,
Bethesda [“Place of Outpouring”], having five porches. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made whole?” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made whole. “Sin no more [your sin is forgiven], lest a worse thing come upon you.”

John 8: 3-5, 7-8, 10-11
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law [Torah], commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you [Is there no one here to condemn you]?” She said, “No one, LORD.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more [your sins are forgiven].”

Luke 23: 39-43
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, If You are the Christ [Moshiach], save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “LORD, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

NOTE: Jesus did not specifically say to the thief that his sins were forgiven but the reference to him joining Him in Paradise seems sufficient to prove that he was pardoned based upon his act of “faith.” Now all of these examples of people having their sins forgiven by the LORD were at His discretion and divine prerogative, but the question is, did Jesus [Yeshua], after His death, burial, and resurrection, give His disciples any information whatsoever regarding the remission or forgiveness of sin?

Mark 16: 15
And He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature [person]. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be [is] condemned.

NOTE: Now Peter was one of those who heard the LORD’S instruction, so how did he understand it?

Acts 2: 37-38
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [convicted of their sin, guilt, and complicity in Jesus’ death], and said to Peter and the rest of the apostle’s, “Men and brethren, what must we do [to be saved]?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach] for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

NOTE: The apostle gives the entire plan by combining all the words of Jesus on the matter (Cp. Matthew 28: 20-21; Luke 24: 47).

There are some people who don’t see or understand the relevance of water baptism and teach that you are baptized in or by the Spirit of God, and while that is true to a certain extent, but not in the way they teach it, as in the example below:

Acts 10: 44-48a
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision [Jewish] who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speak with tongues [languages] and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can any forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the LORD [Jesus/Yeshua].

NOTE: These Gentiles believers received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and according to the apostle Peter experienced or manifested the very things he and the others did on Pentecost, but why did he command them to be baptized in water if it was not necessary? If this ‘water’ baptism is spiritual and not literal then it would be an unnecessary redundancy. The apostle Peter also writes the following:

1 Peter 3: 20-21
Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach].

NOTE: There is a complex question to be asked, namely, how does a person show or demonstrate a good conscience toward God in reference to baptism whereby salvation occurs?

1 Peter 1: 22a, 23
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit . . . having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

NOTE: How is a person “Born again?”

John 3: 3, 5, 7
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ”

John 19: 33-34
But when they came to Jesus [Yeshua] and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

John 7: 38-39
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of His heart [side] will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, who those believing in Him should receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus [Yeshua] was not yet glorified.

1 John 5: 8
There are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

1 Corinthians 10: 1-2, 4
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware [ignorant] that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea [water], all were baptized into Moses in the cloud [representing the Holy Spirit] and in the sea [water], and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ [Moshiach].

NOTE: The text does NOT say they were baptized “unto” Moses but rather ‘into’ Moses in the cloud and the sea.

Romans 6: 3
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus [Yeshua Moshiach] were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism unto death that just as Christ [Moshiach] was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, even so also should we walk in the newness of life. This same Apostle Paul [Rav Shaul] testified about his own conversion before the Jerusalem mob as recorded in more detail in Acts 22: 1-21; Acts 9: 1-18.

Acts 22: 16
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the LORD.

NOTE: When Paul received the Holy Spirit while in Damascus he was still baptized (Cp. Acts 9: 18), and again, if this was not a literal baptism in water, then in what, because he already received [was baptized by] the Holy Spirit of God?

Galatians 3: 27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ [Moshiach] have put on Christ [Moshiach].

COMMENTARY: There are a couple of more closing points that need serious consideration- “IF” a sinner is directed to recite “The Sinner’s Prayer” then it would seem reasonable to show the person where it is located in the Scriptures, just like “The LORD’S Prayer.” While the person is searching that out they should read John 9: 31; Isaiah 59: 1-2; Job 27: 8-9. In 2 Kings 5: 1-14, Naaman the commander of the Syrian army wanted to be cured of leprosy and was told by Elisha the prophet to go dip [wash] in the Jordan River seven times. Now, he had it all figured out beforehand in his own mind how this healing should take place.

For Naaman, the QUESTION is this: Was his restoration from an incurable disease [like from the penalty of sin] based upon his belief “only” or was it “only” in the somehow regenerative power of the Jordan River [water] or was it “only” because he relented [repented of his hardness of heart] and decided to obey the word of the LORD through the prophet Elisha? ANSWER: All of the above because for Naaman his ‘salvation’ depended upon those requisite conditions being met, and just because he didn’t understand or see how this river in the land of Israel could “save” him is like people today who can’t see how ‘water’ [baptism] can have the power to cleanse from sin, is because they only see things according to the flesh and not the Spirit. Titus 3: 5 says: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

I recall a preacher referencing Romans 10: 9-10 as the ONLY condition to receive forgiveness of sins, adding a few of his very own words, too. The thing is, though, he forgot to mention Romans 6: 3-4 and all the other Biblical text where ‘baptism’ is mentioned in relation to salvation, remission/forgiveness of sins and our being united into the body of Christ [Moshiach]. READ BELOW:

Acts 8: 36-37, 38b
Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he [Philip] baptized him [the eunuch].

For those who want to teach something different than what the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] told His apostles before ascending back to Heaven, that’s fine with me but they might want to consider this:

2 John 9
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [Moshiach] DOES NOT HAVE GOD. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ [Moshiach] has both the Father and the Son.

NOTE: The doctrine, teaching or instruction [Torah] of Christ [Moshiach] is everything that He taught, not just the part about “loving one another.”

John 12: 48
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which will judge him-the word that I [not the Pastor, Bishop, Elder, Apostle, Evangelist, Minister, Bible Theologian, etc.] have spoken will judge him at the Last Day.

Finally, it doesn’t matter what you feel or how religious you seem to be or the justifications offered in one’s defense such as God knows the heart of a person, because we are admonished as in 2 Timothy 2: 15: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 John 2: 28
And now little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming [arrival].


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 29, 2011
Robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Monday, July 18, 2011

Is the observance of Jewish Feast Days a “fall from grace?”

There are believing Christians and clergy who study Hebrew roots, and while that might be interesting, one has to be careful that it doesn’t lead to practicing a sort of quasi-Judaism. One cannot have one foot in the old Mosaic System and the other in the Brit Chadashah [New Covenant]. Either we are servants to the bondage of Law [Torah] or of the freedom of the Spirit of Grace. Can the participation in Jewish Feast Days or other celebrations be viewed as something separate from the other requirements of Law [Torah]? The Apostle Paul addressed this very issue over two thousand years ago and one who practices such things cannot be justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach] while at the same time attempt to be under the heavy yoke and bondage of the Law [Torah] (Cp. Acts 15: 10; James 2: 10).

Galatians 3: 1-3
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach] was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to know from you? Did you receive the Spirit by the works of Law [Torah], or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Romans 10: 4
For Christ [Moshiach] is the end of the Law [Torah] for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Galatians 4: 9-11
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Galatians 5: 4
You have become estranged from Christ [Moshiach], you who attempt to be justified by Law [Torah]; you have fallen from grace.


COMMENTARY: There are Gentile believers in the Christian Church who are fascinated with anything concerning Bible lands, the Jewish people and their customs because it gives them a sense of connection with Jesus [Yeshua] who grew up in that environment, and it appears to make their religious experience and salvation more meaningful and deeper. What many of them don’t realize also is that the very thing that they are involved in is a step backwards because Jesus [Yeshua] has fulfilled all of those requirements and not only that, but through the Jewish religious rituals and testimonies of all the prophets of God, pointed forward to the completed work that Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach] would accomplish in giving His life to achieve our salvation from sin and death. While it is good to be taught the meaning behind these Jewish Holy Days as historical footprints to trace God’s scheme of redemption for mankind, for us it should be the scars from the spikes in His hands and feet and His side that was pierced by the soldier’s spear (Cp. Matthew 28: 9; John 19: 34; 20: 24-27). As far as what should be observed, Jesus said in Matthew 28: 19-20a, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

Mark 16: 15-16
And He said unto them, “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel (Cp. Acts 13: 26-38; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4; 2 Corinthians 4: 4) to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved and he who does not believe will be [is] condemned.

Neither Jesus [Yeshua], nor any of the Apostles and their fellow-laborers commanded or taught believers to observe or practice Jewish Feast Days, as such. Jesus [Yeshua] said in John 16: 13a, “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into all the truth.” It reads in 2 John 1: 9 “Whoever transgresses [goes beyond] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [Moshiach] does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ [Moshiach] has both the Father and the Son. For the Apostle James, the brother of Jesus [Moshiach], his edict was simply that Gentile believers observe to: abstain from idols, blood, and things strangled and sexual immorality (Cp. Acts 21: 25). Although the Apostle Paul chose to observe occasional Jewish Feast Days and rituals, but that was a personal decision on his part and he did not mandate for others to do the same. This is not to say that there weren’t believers, possibly some of them Jewish who were still involved in practicing some aspects of Judaism [Cp. Romans 14: 5-6a; Colossians 2: 16-17].

Paul did, however, stress the sanctity of “The Lord’s Supper” (Cp. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-32). Of course, this is not a complete list of all faith practices among Christians and if some want to be indoctrinated into or ritually observe Jewish Feast Days, Torah classes according the Jewish calendar, and any other religion’s customs, it is their choice. It seems, therefore, that the primary concern should be to share the knowledge and saving grace of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach] to those who are lost in sin and death, or in defense of the gospel, and any Bible study or religious celebration or custom which does not serve to that end is tantamount to abdicating our primary responsibility as believers. This is especially true when it relates to teaching Torah to the Jews, whose minds are still blinded when it comes to the reading of Law [Torah], and do not understand or believe that Jesus [rabbi Yeshua] is their promised Messiah [Moshiach], as all the writings [Cp. Luke 24: 44; John 1: 45; Acts 3: 24- “Law, Prophets, Psalms”] in the TANAKH testify.

NOTE: The following New Testament references are offered for consideration (Cp. Acts 13: 26-39; Romans 9: 1-5; 10: 1-4; 11: 1-2a, 11-26a, 29; 2 Corinthians 13: 14-15). Is Torah study and participation in Jewish Holy Days and Feasts a means to and end, namely, equipping someone to share the Gospel in such a manner that it provokes a response like the jailer in Philippi’s address Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved [Cp. Acts 16: 30-34],” or is it instead, an ends in itself and just studied for the sake of knowledge and the enrichment of cultural experience?

Romans 14: 23
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn’t condemn himself in what he approves [allows for himself].


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 18, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 14, 2011

What would your spiritual obituary read like?

Death is the common denominator which cuts across race, religion, social status, ethnicity, education, age, gender, birth origin, or even morality; everybody dies. It is that one appointment none of us will be late for or delay the death angel’s arrival. There is no bribe that can be offered or impassioned plea to prolong the inevitable for more time when the last grain in the hourglass of our life has emptied. Indeed, it would seem to be appropriate to seriously consider what kind of record we are writing in the book of our LIFE. Every newspaper across America and doubtless in other countries around the globe contains a personal section called Obituaries, which are brief overviews [biographies], maybe a couple of sentences or a large section, sometimes including a photo, about peoples lives and the impact their untimely passing [in many cases] has upon the survivors and loved ones they left behind. The endearing and emotional sentiments would make one think that all, or almost all of these departed souls will fly away to be with the LORD in Heaven; but is this the case?

John 5: 28-29
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the grave will hear His [MY] voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [damnation].

John 8: 21a, 24
Then Jesus [Yeshua] said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come. Therefore I say to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Moshiach/Savior], you will die in your sins.

2 Corinthians 5: 10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ [Moshiach], that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Revelation 22: 10
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every one according to his work (Cp. Matthew 16: 27).

Revelation 20: 11-12, 15
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which were written in the [their] books. And anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

NOTE: There are people who believe in an eleventh hour, last minute death-bed confession after spurning or ignoring the invitation of divine grace, it is because they procrastinate and put off the day of salvation, but a principle to consider is found in the following:

Hebrews 3: 7-9a
Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me (Cp. verse 15; 4: 7b).

NOTE: Ok, but some will contend that all you have to do is just call upon the LORD to save you but here is what rightly dividing the word of God says in the matter, as in the following:

Romans 10: 13-15a, 8-9
How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear [learn] without a preacher [or the Bible]? And how shall they preach unless they are sent [or called for]? But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Believe-1 a: to have a firm religious faith [or the basis for one]; 2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something [or in someone, such as God] 1 b: to accept the word or evidence.

Question: Could someone in their final hour of life on this earth and taking their last breath of air suddenly acquire or manifest the requisite mental elements of a rational mind and a purposeful decision to be saved out of a deep and profound sense of being a sinner who repents or is it instead, a desperate and spurious last minute attempt borne out of ‘unbelief’ and hardness of heart or shame, perhaps even regret, as a guilt-trip to masquerade a lifetime given to sin, rebellion and rejection of God’s love and mercy; knowing that tomorrow for them will never arrive and there are no more chances left?

NOTE: To produce unequivocal evidence on this very point regarding whether a person wants to change inwardly, let’s take a look at the Pharaoh of Egypt’s encounter with Moses. Pharaoh’s heart grew hard (Cp. Exodus 8: 19b); Pharaoh told Moses to intercede to God on his behalf but he didn’t change (Cp. Exodus 8: 28b, 32); Pharaoh confessed that he had sinned and was wicked, but he still resisted God (Cp. Exodus 9: 34b-35); Again Pharaoh said that he had sinned against the LORD God and Moses and wanted Moses to entreat God on his behalf to forgive his sin, but he remained obstinate (Cp. Exodus 10: 16-17, 20); Pharaoh let the children of Israel depart Egypt and asked Moses to bless him, but his heart was hardened yet again to the end. (Cp. Exodus 12: 30-32; 14: 5).

2 Corinthians 7: 10
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow [regret/remorse] of the world works death.

Hebrews 12: 17
For you know that afterward, when he [Esau] wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

2 Corinthians 6: 2
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

NOTE: There is a window of opportunity that God allows for every person to choose His offer of grace and salvation but it is a finite one and sooner or later, God’s justice and wrath will take center stage and mercy is no longer available.

Galatians 6: 7
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Proverbs 14: 1a
Fools mock at sin.

Proverbs 1: 26
I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your terror comes. When your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you (Cp. verses 28-31).

Hosea 8: 7a
They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind [tornado].

NOTE: to those who have been told to pray “THE SINNER’S PRAYER” should read below:

John 9: 31
Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will, He hears him.

Isaiah 59: 1-2
Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor is His ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Job 27: 8-9
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life? Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?

2 Kings 20: 1-5
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live,’ ” Then he [Hezekiah] turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle of the court, that the word of the LORD came to him [again], saying, “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to the house [Temple] of the LORD.

CONCLUSION: This above passage encapsulates the main point of the study as it pertains to believers, namely, when King Hezekiah was told of his impending death, he had a record to fall back on of good works [fruit] that could be reviewed by God which was so impressive as to reverse the prior divine edict; and God added an additional 15 years to his life (verse 6a). How many of us could tell the LORD to remember our walk of faith before Him in truth, with a loyal heart, and that we accomplished the right things according to His will? The prophet didn’t even make it halfway to the town gate before he had to turn around and go back to give King Hezekiah the latest divine newsflash. What he [King Hezekiah] didn’t do is remind God about was how religious he was, or how much he prayed using eloquent and lofty platitudes, or how devoutly he worshipped the LORD in the Temple.

Revelation 14: 12-13b
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus [Yeshua]. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, “Write, “Blessed are the dead that die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.”


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 11, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The origin of the people called Philistines [Palestinians]

Genesis 10: 6
The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put [Phut], and Canaan.

Genesis 10: 13-14
Mizraim [(“red soil”)], is the dual of ‘Mazor’, and refers to the two regions, upper and lower Egypt, into which the country has always been divided; by nature and its inhabitants] begot (1) Ludim, (2) Anamim, (3) Lehabim, (4) Naphtuhim, (5) Pathrusim, and (6) Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and (7) Caphtorim).

Ludim/Lud (strife)-It is probable that these were the people who settled to the west of Egypt, perhaps farther than any Mizraite tribe. They are also called Lydians. Lydia was a country in Asia Minor whose capital was Sardis.

Anamim/Anam (images)-Origin unknown [possibly very ancient].

Lehabim/Lehab (fiery, flaming)-They are the same as the Rebu or Lebu of the Egyptians inscriptions, and from them Libya and the Libyans derive their name. These primitive Libyans appear to have inhabited the northern part of Africa to the west of Egypt before being driven from the coast by the Greek colonists of the Cyrenaica.

Naphtuhim (border people)-The tribe probably settled in Egypt or to the west of there.

Pathrusim/Pathros (region of the south)-They probably settled in the upper part of Egypt, in which Thebes is situated. Identified with Upper (southern) Egypt, which includes modern Cairo and Aswan.

Casluhim/Casluh (fortified)-Origin unknown [possibly very ancient].

Caphtorim/Caphtor (crown)-The primitive seat of the Philistines and are supposed to be in Egypt or near to it in Africa. Caphtor is also thought to be the island of Crete.

NOTE: Crete is a long, narrow, mountainous island south of mainland Greece. This is also where Elishah, the grandson of Japheth was located, too.

COMMENTARY: It seems that originally the Philistines/Palestinians were of Hamitic [African] bloodlines that came to the land of Canaan from the island of Crete. The first mention of the Philistines in the Bible is in Gerar, located between Gaza and Beersheba [Genesis 10: 19a; 26: 1]. It is possible that they migrated out from Egypt or Libya from antiquity into Asia Minor and Crete and then returned later before the time of Abraham. The Casluhim and Anamim were probably the more ancient of the Mizraimite people, dating back into pre-history because there doesn’t seem to be any existing records about them.


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 4, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Will Jesus find leaves "only" or fruit on your fig tree?

It isn't enough just to regularly attend church services or to be emotionally stirred by songs of praise, passionate prayer requests, or preaching from an eloquent speaker in the pulpit. Speaking in tongues is nice but acts of charity is even greater. Religion isn't something we get but rather it is what we do with the gift of grace given to us and worship is our attitude expressed through liturgical rites which reflect the character and nature of thankfulness and reverence to God for all His goodness, mercy, and love. This is borne out in Love for God and towards our neighbor as well.

Mark 11: 12-14, 20-21
Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He [Jesus] was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When he came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.

NOTE: This is interesting because the appearance of leaves indicates summer is near (Cp. Matthew 24: 32; Mark 13: 28), and according to the customary growth pattern in the Olivet ravines, figs and their seeds precede the appearance of leaves; yet, the narrative clearly states that it was “not the season [spring] for figs” so why did Jesus [Yeshua] go ahead and curse the fig tree?

John 15: 5-8, 16
I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that bears not fruit He [God] takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. I am the vine and you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you shall be My disciple. You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you ask of My Father in My name, He will give it to you.

Romans 7: 4
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the Law [Torah] through the body of Christ [Moshiach], that you may be married to another-to Him who was raised from the dead that you should bear fruit to God.

James 5: 19-20
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (Cp. Galatians 6: 1)

Proverbs 11: 30
The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

NOTE: Notice how fruit of righteousness is linked with winning souls.

Ephesians 5: 9-11
For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the LORD. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [reprove] them.

Titus 2: 13-14
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach], who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify [sanctify] for Himself His own special [peculiar] people zealous for good works.

Romans 12: 1-2
I beseech [implore] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 4: 1-5
I charge you therefore before God and the LORD Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach], who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season [like the fig tree in Mark 11: 12-14]. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine [teaching]. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Matthew 6: 4, 7
Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. And when you pray, do not use vain [pious sounding but empty] repetitions as the heathen [infidels/unbelievers] do. For they think they will be heard for their many words.

Mark 7: 6b-7
This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 25: 34-40
Then the king will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in (Cp. Hebrews 13: 2); I was naked and you clothed Me (Cp. James 2: 14-16); I was sick and you visited Me (Cp. James 5: 14); I was in prison and you came to Me (Cp. Acts 12: 15; Hebrews 13: 3; Acts 23: 35; 24: 23). Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, LORD, when did we see You hungry and fed You, or thirsty and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison and came to you? And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.

Romans 12: 13
Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

James 1: 27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted [uncontaminated] from the world.


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 7, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

Why could the disciples of Jesus not heal on that one occasion?

Mark 6: 7, 13
And He [Jesus] called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and He gave then power [authority/ permission or right to act] over unclean spirits. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Mark 9: 14, 16-18, 20, 25, 28-29
And when He [Jesus] came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them [the disciples] disputing with them. And He asked one of the scribes, “What are you discussing [arguing] with them about?” Then one in the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. “And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes [grinds] his teeth and becomes rigid [stiff as a board]. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” Then they brought him [the boy] to Him [Jesus]. And when they saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. When Jesus saw the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” And when He [Jesus] had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind [of spirit or demonic possession] can only come out by [through] nothing but prayer and fasting.”

NOTE: This is all the more amazing because Jesus had given His disciples [apostles] the authority over unclean spirits/demons and to perform miraculous healings [which they did] just three chapters earlier; according to Mark’s gospel.

Matthew 17: 19-20a, 21
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief. “However, this kind [of spirit or demonic possession] does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Luke 9: 37-42
Now it happened the next day, when they had come down from the mountain [of transfiguration], that a great multitude met Him [Jesus]. Suddenly, a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seized him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him [giving temporary relief from the pain and torment]. So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Then Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how shall I be with you and bear [put up with] you? Bring your son here.” And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed [tore at him]. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

COMMENTARY: There are a few things worth noting, namely, Luke’s version has some missing details which are vital to our understanding of the narrative. The father’s only child [his son] was suffering from a severe malady in which the author describes partial symptoms but also mentions that it departs from him [in the form of temporary relief]. Luke omits the scribes arguing with the disciples [probably over this botched healing attempt]. Jesus chided the disciples [presumably not including Peter, James and John whom Jesus took with Him up on the mount of transfiguration] about why they couldn’t perform this miracle, which He says is due to their weakness of Faith as well as lacking the spiritually powerful anecdote of fasting and prayer. This could be an ‘epiphany’ in seeking to answer the age-old question why there aren’t more manifestations of binding demons, miraculous healings and deliverance from the bondage of sin and death, not only among believers but to those outside the body of Christ because of a lack of spiritual exercise with “faith” combining together these two vital practices in our lives. Perhaps, if we are honest with ourselves, we really don’t believe in miracles today unless such phenomenon can be authenticated/validated in some kind of scientific study or clinical trial under strict controls and protocols conducted by an independent testing organization like Underwriters Laboratory.

Notwithstanding all of this, in our hearts we truly want to believe but it is counterintuitive to our experiences in reality, power of observation, sensory perceptions and common sense. We have to temporarily reject the information sent to our brain from our objective mind and embrace all the potential of the impossible, like the boy’s father who told Jesus, “LORD, I want to believe [even though it goes against everything I know, feel and think] but help my unbelief [rationalizations, logical reasoning, suspicions and doubt] (Cp. Mark 9: 24b). It is surprising that Matthew as well as Luke omits the most important consideration in this matter, which is, the attitude of the petitioner for God’s grace. This is the tie that binds or separates us when it pertains to the accomplishment of a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power because if both, or how ever many [but at least two people], are truly in agreement and not just going along for the sake of appearances, then whatever we ask of the Father will be done for us.
Does it not say in these following scriptures?

Matthew 18: 19
Again I say to you if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father.

1 Corinthians 2: 4
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom [eloquence], but in demonstration of the Spirit and power [Heb. “Guevara”].

1 Corinthians 4: 20
For the kingdom of God is not in the talk of the eloquent speaker [Heb. ish sefatayim ] but in power [Heb. ko’ach]. OJB

2 Timothy 3: 1-2a, 5a
But know this, that in the last days perilous times [times of stress] will come: Men will be lovers of themselves [vain, egotistical, arrogant], having a form of godliness but denying the power [Heb. ko’ach] thereof.

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [earthly/physical] but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds [ideological and spiritually wicked forces of Satan], casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ [Moshiach].

Ephesians 6: 12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 10, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Taking another look at the Land of Canaan and origin of the Israelites

Genesis 10: 6
The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put [Phut], and Canaan.

NOTE: Ham (hot, sunburnt). Egypt is recognized as “the land of Ham” [Cp. Psalms 78: 51; 105: 23; 106: 21b-22a]. The Phoenicians are a Hamitic people, also. Cush (black)-A Benjamite mentioned in the introduction to Psalms 7, so is it possible that Benjamites were Black? The Cushite territory extended from the higher Nile [Egypt] to the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, with ethnic traces to be found among the people of Babylonia, Arabia and Ethiopia. Mizraim (red soil), is the dual of ‘Mazor’, and refers to the two regions, upper and lower Egypt, into which the country has always been divided; by nature and its inhabitants. Put/Phut (bow)- A people of Africa not far from Egypt. Some identify it with Libya in the northern part of Africa, near the Mediterranean Sea, and others with Nubia, south of Egypt. Canaan (lowland)- Territory west of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, and between those waters and the Mediterranean Sea.

Genesis 10: 15-20
Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; the Hivite, the Arkite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward [the confusion of Proto-language at Babel (Balal)], the families of the earth were dispersed (scattered). And the border of the Canaanites [Sidonians, Hittites {Heth}, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Zemarites, Hamathites] were from Sidon as you go toward Gerar [land of the Philistines/Palestinians], as far as Gaza [land of the Philistines/Palestinians]; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, in their lands, and in their nations.

NOTE: The border of the Canaanite was from Sidon [A city of Phoenicia about 20 miles north of Tyre on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea or modern Saida, situated in the narrow plain between Lebanon and the Sea] as you go towards Gerar [A very ancient city south of Gaza or the “south country” of later Palestine], as far as Gaza [one of the 5 chief cities of the Philistines SW of Palestine on the frontier toward Egypt]; then as you go toward Sodom [the plain of Jordan north of the Dead Sea], Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha [somewhere SE of Palestine near the eastern shore of the Dead Sea].

Genesis 11: 1-2
Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there [permanently resided].

NOTE: Shinar is the alluvial tract through which the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers pass before reaching the Persian Gulf [Sea]-the tract known in later times as Chaldea or Babylonia. It may be suspected that the Hebrews originally called the lower Mesopotamia region or country where they dwelt also as the land of Shinar. And of course, Abraham’s family was from “Ur (fire) of the Chaldeans” who later moved to Haran.

Genesis 10: 21-22
And children were also born to Shem [name], the father of all the children of Eber (why??). The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

Genesis 10: 24-25, 30-31
Arphaxad (stronghold of the Chaldeans) begot Salah (sprout), and Salah begot Eber (the region beyond). To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg (division); for in his days the earth was divided (Cp. 11: 1-2, 6-8a); and his brother’s name was Joktan (small). And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountains of the east. These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.

NOTE: Mesha (debt)- A city located between the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Persian Gulf. This Mesha [Massa] is associated with the Assyrian Mash and the Persian Maciya. Sephar (a numbering)- Sephar is the eastern boundary of the descendants of Shem extends all the way to the Indian Ocean. The ancient seaport town called Zafẵr represents the biblical site or district. *This is the original boundary and homeland of the primitive Hebrews, Israelites or Jews.*

Genesis 15: 18-21
On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt [Nile??] to the great river, the River Euphrates- the Kenites, Kenezzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

NOTE: This allotment of land would include part of Egypt [Mizraim], Jordan, Syria [Aram], and possibly Iraq/Kuwait. The Kenites, Kenezzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, and Girgashites were not originally inhabitants of Canaan, nor are they descendants of Canaan or Ham, for that matter. These other tribes must have come into and settled down or invaded parts of the land later on. This description of the land must have expanded into more territory than the descendants of Canaan had acquired at first by these newcomers.

Numbers 34: 1-5
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance- the land of Canaan to its boundaries. Your (1) Southern border shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea; your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim [a pass between the Dead Sea and Zin], continue to Zin [a portion of desert tract between the Dead Sea and the “Arabah”], and be on the south of Kadesh Barnea [40 miles south of Beersheba, 65 miles southwest of the Dead Sea, immediately below the southern border of Palestine]; then it shall go on to Hazar Addar [4 or 5 miles away], and continue to Azmon [3 miles away]; the border shall turn from Azmon [a place named on the southern boundary of Palestine] to the Brook of Egypt [Wadi el-Arish], and it shall end at the Sea [Mediterranean- 50 miles south of Gaza].

Ezekiel 47: 19
The (1) South side toward the South [Negev], shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh-Barnea, along the brook of the Great Sea [Mediterranean Sea??] .

Numbers 34: 6
As for the (2) Western border, you shall have the Great Sea [Mediterranean] for a border; this shall be your (2) Western border.

Ezekiel 47: 20
The (2) West side shall be the Great Sea [Mediterranean], from the southern boundary until one comes to a point opposite Hamath. This is the (2) West side.

Numbers 34: 7-9
And this shall be your (3) Northern border; from the Great Sea [Mediterranean] you shall mark out your border line to Mount Hor [the eastern side of the valley of the “Arabah” in the land of Edom {southern Jordan}, and on its eastern side the mysterious city of Petra or it could also be the Mount Hor in Lebanon or the northern peak about 10 miles north of the Phoenician city Byblos]; from Mount Hor you shall mark out your border to the entrance of Hamath [the principal city of upper Syria about 50 miles north of Damascus]; then the direction of the border shall be toward Zedad [about 30 miles northeast of Hamath]; the border shall proceed to Ziphron [about 10 miles farther east], and it shall end at Hazar Enan [70 miles northeast of Damascus]. This shall be your (3) “Northern border.”

NOTE: The “Arabah” is a deep-sunken valley or trench in the land of Palestine from the slopes of Mount Hermon to the Elantic Gulf (Gulf of Akabah) of the Red Sea. Through the northern portion this extraordinary fissure the Jordan rushes through the lakes of Huleh and Gennesaret to the deep chasm of the Dead Sea. This portion, 150 miles in length is known to the Arabs by the name el-Ghor. Hamath is taken from “Ham” the son of Noah and the city of Hamath in Syria and the people probably have traces of Hamitic [African and Phoenician] bloodlines or ancestry. The territory here seems inclusive of the area mentioned in Genesis 15: 18-21, but also a lot more expansive over the centuries as recorded in the books of Numbers and Ezekiel. “Hamath” [linguistic root of ‘Ham’, the son of Noah, from whom are derived the African and dark-skinned people].

Ezekiel 47: 15-17
This shall be the border of the land on (3) the North: from the Great Sea [Mediterranean], by the road to Hethlon [the pass at the northern end of Lebanon], as one goes to Zedad [“Sadad”-62 miles north of Damascus, the northern border of Canaan], Hamath, Berothah [“toward the wells”; possibly modern ‘Beirut’], Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazor Hatticon (which is on the border of Hauran [Greek province of Auranitias or modern ‘Hauran’ east of the Sea of Galilee]). Thus the boundary shall be from the Sea [of Galilee??] to Hazar Enan [possibly identified with Qaryatein, about 70 miles east-northeast of Damascus], the border of Damascus; and as for the north, northward; it is the border of Hamath [city-state located on the Orontes River, roughly 120 miles north of Damascus]. This is the (3) North side.

Numbers 34: 10-12
You shall mark your (4) Eastern border from Hazar Enan (“village of fountains”), to Shepham [“fruitful”; unknown location on eastern boundary of Palestine]; the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain [a landmark on the eastern boundary of Palestine and probably the main source of the ‘Orontes’ or Ain el-‘Azy]; the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth [Sea of Galilee]; the border shall go down along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea [Dead Sea]. This shall be your land with its surrounding boundaries.

Ezekiel 47: 18
On the (4) East side you shall mark out the border from between Hauran [province of Syria with Damascus on its northern border] and Damascus, and between Gilead [rocky region; a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon {“Jordan”}] and the land of Israel, along the Jordan, and along the eastern side of the sea [Sea of Chinnereth or Sea of Galilee]. This is the (4) East side.

COMMENTARY: There has been so much bloodshed being spilled in the Middle East over “the land” and Jewish as well as Palestinian Statehood, especially in East Jerusalem. Notwithstanding, the settlement issue and building projects are threatening to displace the many Palestinians who have lived in the territory for centuries. In reading the Biblical narratives found in Genesis 10: 19 & Exodus 23: 31 or Numbers 34: 1-12, it would seem that the territory that was promised to Abraham’s descendants (the Israelites in this case) was not static, as these boundaries shifted over time; which is what one would expect from nomadic hunter-gatherers as well as warring tribes, or pastoralists who followed the stars or sun constantly moved about to settle new lands. In the prophet Ezekiel’s vision is an even more extensive boundary for the Promised Land in which the twelve tribes of Israel will inherit (Cp. Ezekiel 47: 13-23)

ADDENDUM: Curiously, when Joseph stood before Pharaoh and mentioned that he was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews (Cp. Genesis 40: 15) and the place where he was from seems to be in Hebron (Cp. Genesis 37: 1, 14). The thing is, how could this area be said to rightfully belong to the Hebrews when it was first associated with the Amorites (Cp. Genesis 13: 18; 14: 13; 23: 19), then the Hittites, who are descendants of Heth (Cp. Genesis 23: 2, 8-10, 16-17a, 19; 26: 34-35; 27: 46). The Hebrews were most likely a minority group in Hebron during the time of Joseph and it was not until the conquests of Joshua did Hebron change over into the hands of the Hebrews/Israelites and was given as an inheritance to Caleb (Cp. Genesis 14: 6, 12, 14), roughly 555 years later; so how could he at that time make such a statement, unless he was referring to the language or customs of the diverse populations living there in Hebron, and not just about his own ethnicity, religion or race? As a final point, the Holy Land of Jerusalem [Judea] which was originally the home of Jebusites, Ham was their ancestral father and progenitor, which means that they have African bloodlines and in all likelihood probably were dark-skinned.


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 1, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com