Category: Old Testament

Books of the Bible with Questions and Proposed Answers

Posted on

Genesis 29-30 Jacob’s Wives and Children

Jacob’s Wives and Children

Background and Printed Text: Genesis 29:15-30:24

 

Genesis 29:15 And White (Laban) said unto He-Will-Heel (Jacob), “Because thou art my brother, and wilt thou serve me for nothing? Tell to me, what is thy wage?”

 

16And to White (Laban) are two daughters. The name of the big is Weary (Leah) and the name of the little is Ewe (Rachel). 17And the eyes of Weary (Leah) are soft. And Ewe (Rachel) was beautiful of figure and beautiful of appearance. 18And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) loved Ewe (Rachel).

 

And he said, “I will serve thee seven years for Ewe (Rachel) thy little daughter.” 19And White (Laban) said, “Good is my giving her to thee from my giving her to another man. Dwell with me.”

 

20And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) served seven years via Ewe (Rachel). And they were in his eyes as single days via his love of her.

 

21And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) said unto White (Laban), “Render my woman. For my days were filled. And I came unto her.” 22And White (Laban) gathered all the men of the place. And he made a drinking-party. 23And he was in the evening. And he took Weary (Leah) his daughter. And he brought her unto him. And he came unto her. 24And White (Laban) gave to her Her-Trickling (Zilpah) his slavewoman—to Weary (Leah) his daughter, a slave-woman.

 

25And he was in the morning. And behold, he is Weary (Leah)! And he said unto White (Laban), “What is this thou did unto me? Did I not serve with thee via Ewe (Rachel)? And why did thou beguile me?” 26And White (Laban) said, It is not so done in our place—to give the young to the faces of the firstborn. 27 Fill this seven, and we have given her to thee—also this—via the slavery that thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years!” 28And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) did so. And he fulfilled this seven. And he gave Ewe (Rachel) his daughter to him for a woman. 29And White (Laban) gave Via-Languishing (Bilhah) his slavewoman to Ewe (Rachel) his daughter for a slavewoman to her. 30 And he also came unto Ewe (Rachel).

 

And he also loved Ewe (Rachel) more than Weary (Leah). And he served with him yet seven years after. 31And Yehovah saw that Weary (Leah) is hated. And He opened her womb. And Ewe (Rachel) is barren.

 

32And Weary (Leah) conceived. And she childed a son. And she called his name See-Ye-A-Son! (Reuben). For she said, “For Yehovah saw via my humiliation! For now my man will love me!” 33And she conceived again. And she childed a son. And she said, “For Yehovah hearkened! For I am hated! And He has given also this to me!” And she called his name Hearkening (Shimon). 34And she conceived again. And she childed a son. And she said, “Now is the stroke! My man will join unto me! For I have childed three sons to him!” Therefore he called his name My-Joining (Levi). 35And she conceived again. And she childed a son. And she said, “The stroke! I will confess Yehovah!” Therefore she called his name He-Confessed-Yah (Judah). And she stood childing.

 

(Chapter 30) 1And Ewe (Rachel) saw that she did not child to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). And Ewe (Rachel) envied against her sister. And she said unto He-Will-Heel (Jacob), “Render children to me! And if not, I am dead!” 2And He-Will-Heel’s (Jacob’s) anger was kindled against Ewe (Rachel). And he said, “Am I under Elohim Who withheld fruit of the womb from thee?” 3And she said, “Behold my maid Via-Languishing (Bilhah)! Come unto her! And she shall bear upon my knees. And I, even I have built from her!” 4And she gave him Via-Languishing (Bilhah) her slavewoman for a woman. And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) came unto her.

 

5And Via-Languishing (Bilhah) conceived. And she childed a son to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). 6And Ewe (Rachel) said, “Elohim adjudicated me! And He hath also hearkened into my voice. And He gave a son to me!” Therefore she called his name Adjudicator (Dan). 7And she conceived again. And Via-Languishing (Bilhah) Ewe’s (Rachel’s) slavewoman childed to He-Will-Heel (Jacob) a second son. 8And Ewe (Rachel) said, “I have wrestled the wrestlings of Elohim with my sister. Also I was able!” And she called his name My-Wrestling (Naphtali).

 

9And Weary (Leah) saw that she stood (from) bearing. And she took Her-Trickling (Zilpah) her slavewoman. And she gave her to He-Will-Heel (Jacob) for a woman. 10And Her-Trickling (Zilpah), Weary’s (Leah’s) slavewoman childed a son to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). 11And Weary (Leah) said, “Via a troop!” And she called his name Troop (Gad). 12And Her-Trickling (Zilpah) Weary’s (Leah’s) slavewoman childed a second son to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). 13And Weary (Leah) said, “Via my happiness! For daughters ‘happied’ me!” And she called his name Happy (Asher).

 

14And They-Saw-A-Son (Reuben) walked in the days of wheat harvest. And he found mandrakes in the field. And he brought them unto Weary (Leah) his mother. And Ewe (Rachel) said to Weary (Leah), “Give, na, to me from thy son’s mandrakes.” 15And she said unto her, “Is (it) small that thou hast taken my man? And wilt thou take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Ewe (Rachel) said, “Therefore he shall lie with thee tonight in the place of thy son’s mandrakes.”

 

16And He-Will-Heel (Jacob) came out of the field in the evening. And Weary (Leah) went out to meet him. And she said, “Thou shalt come unto me. For hiring, I hired thee via my son’s mandrakes!” And he lay with her in that night. 17 And Elohim hearkened unto Weary (Leah). And she conceived. And she childed the fifth son to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). 18 And Weary (Leah) said, “Elohim gave my hire that I gave my slavewoman to my man!” And she called his name There-is-a-Hire (Issachar). 19And Weary (Leah) conceived again. And she childed the sixth son to He-Will-Heel (Jacob). 20And Weary (Leah) said, “Elohim endowed me a good endowment! The stroke my man will cohabit with me, for I childed six sons to him!” And she called his name They-Shall-Cohabit (Zebulun).

 

21And afterward she childed a daughter. And she called her name Her-Adjudication (Dinah).

 

22 And Elohim remembered Ewe. And Elohim hearkened unto her. And He opened her womb. 23 And she conceived. And she childed a son. And she said, “Elohim collected my reproach!” 24 And she called his name He-Adds (Joseph), saying, “Yehovah added another son to me!”

 

I. Laban’s Business Dealings (verse 15)

Laban found that Jacob was a good worker; Jacob had worked without wages except for food and necessary supplies for the work. He wanted to know what wage Jacob desired.

 

Questions

1. Why did Jacob serve Laban for nothing?

 

2. Why did Laban offer to pay Jacob?

 

3. Was Jacob Laban’s brother?

 

II. Laban’s Daughters (verses 16-18)

Laban had two daughters: Leah and Rachel (or Raquel). Leah’s eyes are soft. Raquel had a beautiful figure and a beautiful appearance. Jacob fell in love with Raquel.

 

Questions

1. What do soft eyes sometimes indicate?

 

2. Who had the greater advantages, Leah or Raquel?

 

3. Why would parents name a daughter Weary?

 

4. Did Jacob dislike Leah?

 

5. What is love?

 

III. The Answer (verses 18-19)

Jacob agreed to serve Laban for seven years in order to obtain Rachel for a wife. Laban said that it was better to give Rachel to Jacob than to another man. Laban desired Jacob to dwell with him.

 

Questions

1. Why was Jacob willing to serve Laban for seven years for Raquel?

 

2. Why did Laban believe that it was better to give her to Jacob than to another man?

 

3. What did Laban mean by, “Dwell with me”?

 

IV. Serving and Waiting (verse 20)

Jacob did not mind waiting for this beautiful girl. Seven years went by as if they were a few days. His love for this girl lasted.

 

Questions

1. Did Jacob forget about going home? Wasn’t he homesick?

 

2. Was Jacob good at what he did?

 

3. Was being a shepherd of sheep very profitable?

 

V. The Trick (verses 21-24)

When Jacob said, “Render my woman,” he wasn’t being rude. He was telling Laban that it was time to give Raquel to him as they had agreed. Jacob’s seven years (“my days”) were completed (“filled”). Jacob desired to come unto her (to have sexual intercourse with her). He had purchased her for his woman (for his wife); they were already legally married.

 

Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a drinking party to celebrate this union of Jacob to his daughter. The party lasted into the evening. Then Laban took Leah, and brought her to Jacob. Jacob came unto Leah (in sexual intercourse).

 

In the meantime, Laban gave to Leah a slavewoman named Zilpah to help with the chores.

 

Questions

1. Jacob said, “Render my woman. For my days were filled. And I came unto her.” There seems to be no consideration of the women by the men. Jacob wants Rachel now, because he wants to go unto her (have sexual intercourse with her). Does this show that men saw women as property, and as pretty toys to be used?

 

2. Did Laban do wrong to gather the men of the place and to throw a drinking party?

 

3. Did Laban do wrong to bring Leah instead of Rachel to Jacob on this honeymoon night?

 

4. Why didn’t Jacob notice that he was having sexual intercourse with Leah instead of Raquel?

 

5. Were slaves often given with daughters when the daughters were given in marriage?

 

VI. The Confrontation and Bargain (verses 25-30)

The morning came. Jacob saw—”and behold, he is Leah!” He awoke with another woman in bed with him! He confronted Laban. “What is this thou did unto me?” Jacob reminded Laban of the bargain. He then asked, “Why did thou beguile me?” Laban’s reply was that it was against tradition to marry off the younger daughter before the firstborn daughter!

 

Laban told Jacob to fulfill this seven (one week). At the end of the week, Rachel will be given to Jacob, on the condition that he will serve for another seven years! Jacob agreed to this. So Jacob had to wait only another seven days to get the one whom he loved.

 

Rachel was given Bilhah to serve her. Jacob then had sexual intercourse with Rachel.

 

Questions

1. Why did Jacob confront Laban, but he didn’t confront Leah?

 

2. Did Laban beguile Jacob?

 

3. Did Laban speak the truth when he said, “It is not so done in our place—to give the young to the faces of the firstborn”?

 

4. How did Leah feel on the next morning after the honeymoon night?

 

5. What was part of fulfilling the seven (week) of a woman (verse 27)?

 

6. In Jacob’s mind, he was truly serving Laban for Rachel for fourteen years. Was this worthwhile to him?

 

7. How would Leah feel to now have her sister become a wife to her man?

 

8. Is being married to more than one woman at a time wrong, according to the Bible?

 

VII. Hard Feelings (verses 30-31)

Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Jacob served seven more years.

 

Yehovah saw Leah’s situation: she was hated. Yehovah opened her womb so that she could conceive. Yehovah did not open Rachel’s womb (at this time); she was barren.

 

Questions

1. Was Jacob wrong to love Rachel more than Leah?

 

2. Who hated Leah?

 

3. Why did Yehovah open Leah’s womb?

 

4. Why was Raquel barren? Did Yehovah do this to her?

 

VIII. The Race is On! (verses 32-35)

Leah conceived and childed (bore) a son.

 

Son #1 is Reuben (See ye, a son!). Leah said that Yehovah saw via her humiliation. She also thought that her man would now love her.

 

Leah conceived again, and bore a second son.

 

Son #2 is Shimon (Hearkening). Leah said that Yehovah hearkened. She stated that she was hated, and that Yehovah gave also this son to her.

 

Leah conceived a third time.

 

Son #3 is Levi (Joining). Leah said, “Now is the stroke!” meaning, “This time!” She continued, “My man will join unto me, for I have childed three sons to him!”

 

Leah conceived a fourth time.

 

Son #4 is Judah (He confessed Yah). Leah this time confessed Yehovah herself. That was the last child she had.

 

Questions

1. Was Leah right when she said, “Yehovah hath seen via my humiliation”? Was this why she became pregnant?

 

2. Was she right thinking that her man will love her?

 

3. To what did Yehovah hearken? What does this mean?

 

4. Did Yehovah give her this second child?

 

5. If Yehovah gives children to parents, why do some parents abuse their children and even some kill them?

 

6. What does stroke mean in, “Now is the stroke”?

 

7. What does “my man will join unto me” mean?

 

8. Did Jacob join to her at this time?

 

9. Was Jacob cruel to Leah?

 

10. When she said, “The stroke! I will confess Yehovah,” did something change?

 

11. What does Yah mean?

 

12. What does “she stood childing” mean?

 

IX. The Surrogate Mother (Chapter 30, verses 1-4)

Rachel was beautiful in every way, and had the affections of her husband. And she was an unhappy woman, for she was not getting pregnant. She told Jacob to render children to her, and that she was dead if he didn’t. Jacob became angry. He asked her, “Am I under (in the place of) Elohim Who withheld fruit of the womb from thee?”

 

Raquel’s solution was to have Jacob impregnate Raquel’s slave; this way, Raquel could build from her slave. Jacob did what she said.

 

Questions

1. What type of character did Rachel have?

 

2. What did she mean by, “Render children to me”?

 

3. Would she really die if she didn’t become pregnant?

 

4. Who is Elohim?

 

5. What did he mean by, “Am I under Elohim?”

 

6. Did Elohim truly withhold fruit of Raquel’s womb from her?

 

7. Why did Yehovah withhold fruit from Raquel?

 

8. Was Raquel’s giving her slave, Bilhah, to Jacob to have a baby wrong, and was Jacob wrong for doing this pregnancy that is outside of marriage?

 

X. Bilhah’s Produce (verses 5-8)

Son #5 is Dan. Rachel named Bilhah’s children, because they belonged to Rachel.

 

Rachel stated that Elohim adjudicated her, and that He hearkened into her voice. She claimed this child as her son.

 

Bilhah again became pregnant.

 

Son #6 is Naphtali. Rachel continued obtaining the fruit of the womb from Bilhah. Raquel saw this as a competition, a wrestling match with her sister.

 

Questions

1. What does adjudicate mean?

 

2. Did Elohim really adjudicate Raquel?

 

3. Had Elohim hearkened into Raquel’s voice, and had He given a son to her?

 

4. When Bilhah again had a baby, Raquel said, “I have wrestled the wrestlings of Elohim with my sister.” What did she mean?

 

5. What does “I was able” mean?

 

6. Did she succeed?

 

XI. Zilpah’s Produce (verses 9-13)

When Leah saw that she wasn’t any longer becoming pregnant, she gave her slavewoman to her husband so that he could get her pregnant.

 

Zilpah conceived and bore a son.

 

Son #7 is Gad. Leah declared, “Via a troop!”

 

Zilpah again conceived.

 

Son #8 is Asher. Leah declared, “Via my happiness! For daughters ‘happied’ me!”

 

Questions

1. Why did Leah still desire to produce more children, even if she obtained them through her slave?

 

2. The phrase, “Via a troop!” is not a sentence. (A phrase is a piece of a sentence, not a sentence.) What does this phrase mean?

 

3. When Zilpah again became pregnant, Leah said, “Via my happiness! For daughters ‘happied’ me!” What did she mean?

 

XII. The Mandrakes (verses 14-15)

Reuben found mandrakes while walking in the days of wheat harvest. He brought the plants home to his mama (Leah).

 

Rachel found out about the plants, and asked for them. Leah responded that Rachel had taken her man. Was she going to take her son’s mandrakes too? Rachel struck up a bargain: give me the mandrakes, and you can have sex with him tonight. She agreed.

 

Questions

1. When is wheat harvest?

 

2. What are mandrakes?

 

3. Had Raquel really taken Leah’s man?

 

4. Why was Leah willing to bargain with Raquel for the mandrakes?

 

5. Did Leah accept this bargain?

 

XIII. Jacob is Hired (verses 16-20)

Jacob had no idea of these plans. Leah met him when he came out of the field in the evening. She told him that she had hired him via (by way of) her son’s mandrakes. Jacob did what he was told.

 

Elohim also hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived. This was her fifth son, and Jacob’s ninth son.

 

Son #9 is Issachar. Leah stated, “Elohim gave my hire that I gave my slavewoman to my man!” She understood this as payment for giving her slavewoman to her man!

 

Leah wasn’t done, yet. She conceived again, bearing the sixth child and Jacob’s tenth son.

 

Son #10 is Zebulun. She said, “Elohim endowed me a good endowment! The stroke my man will cohabit with me, for I childed six sons to him!”

 

Questions

1. Was Leah right when she said that Elohim gave her hire because she had given her slavewoman to her man?

 

2. What is an endowment?

 

XV. It’s a Girl! (verse 21)

Leah again became pregnant, but this time with a girl. She named her Dinah (pronounced Dee-Nuh with the accent on the last syllable).

 

Questions

1. Why did these women bear only boys, except for this one girl?

 

2. Why did Leah name her daughter with this name?

 

XV. Finally, Rachel (verses 22-24)

Yehovah finally remembered Rachel. He hearkened to her; He opened her womb. She greatly desired to have a child.

 

Son #11 is Joseph.

 

She saw this as Elohim collecting her reproach (like the trash would be collected and removed). She did not use this as his name, however. She saw this as an additional son (to the ones she obtained through her slave), so she named him He-Adds (Joseph).

 

Questions

1. Why did Elohim wait so long to give Raquel pregnancy?

 

2. Did the mandrakes have anything to do with her becoming pregnant?

 

3. Did Elohim collect her reproach?

 

4. Did Raquel really see the sons of her slave as her own sons?

 

5. Are these all the children that Jacob will have?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

One Aim of The Law

Introduction

Some erroneously believe that the Torah (‘Law’) provided salvation for those who kept it. This will be examined.

The Directive: Thou Shalt Keep the Commandments

Deuteronomy 8:6,19 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of Yehovah thy God to walk in His ways, and to fear Him. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget Yehovah thy God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish as the nations which Yehovah detroyeth before your face. So shall ye perish because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of Yehovah your God.

 

Two purposes are given to Israel for keeping Yehovah’s commandments:

 

  • To walk in His ways
  • To fear Him

The Israelis were temporarily permitted to dwell in, use and prosper in Yehovah’s Land as long as they walked in Yehovah’s ways. Everlasting life was not the issue, and no permanence was guaranteed.

 

 

The Everlasting Gospel

The everlasting Gospel consists of three elements that will have everlasting consequences:

 

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, (1) Fear God, and (2) Give glory to Him! For the hour of His judgment is come! And (3) Worship Him Who made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters!

 

The fear of Yehovah is essential for Salvation and is the beginning of Wisdom.

 

One purpose of Torah was to direct a person to the Fear of Yehovah. The Torah deals with the issues of this life (the physical land of Israel; one’s neighbour; one’s view of Yehovah). Any Israeli sensitive to the Torah who desired truth with all his being will obtain the fear of Yehovah. The same is true for anyone who approaches the Torah today with such an attitude.

 

 

The Righteous by His Faith Shall Live

The Scriptures teach, the righteous-one by his faith shall live (Habakkuk 2:4b). Contrast this with Hebrews 4:2b: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard. Hearing the Word of God is not profitable if it is not mixed with faith. Faith is the gift of God. The Torah is the word of God. One who observes the Torah without the faith of Yehovah will accomplish nothing permanent. He will not ultimately glorify or please God. All who live by the faith of Yehovah will be righteousness and will show proof of their salvation.

 

 

Can Keeping the Law save Anyone?

If anyone could, the following would also be true:

 

  • Those saved by keeping the Torah would not need the sacrifice of Messiah. His shed blood would be useless for them.
  • They would obtain salvation by their own works and power. Man would not be helpless and lost in sin, just temporarily in trouble.
  • Many passages such as Romans 8:3 would be rendered false: For what the Law could not do (in that it was weak through the flesh), God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
  • The means of salvation for non-Israelis during the time of Moses, Joshua, etc. would be in question. Many would not be able to come to Israel to obtain salvation by keeping the Torah. Slaves and residents in other lands where the Torah could not be performed could not obtain salvation due to a geographic problem beyond their control, unless there were two or more ways to obtain Salvation.
  • The Grace of Yehovah would not be essential.
  • The importance of one’s name being written in the Lamb’s Book of Life would be meaningless. Salvation would be obtainable then loseable, obtainable, loseable, etc. (There is no record of blottings or additions to the Lamb’s Book of Life.)
  • One would still be able to obtain salvation through keeping the Torah today, making the Grace of God of non-effect.

The curses of the Torah are still active against Israel, and thus the Torah is still active. Yehovah still brings Israel’s enemies against Israel and Israelis for refusing to turn to Yehovah and obey His Torah (His Word).

 

Since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His plan never changes, His means of salvation has never changed.

 

 

Conclusion

One aim of the Law is to direct the Israelis to the fear of Yehovah. Non-Jewish folks can also learn the fear of Yehovah from His Word.

 

Posted on

Genesis 29 Jacob Finds His Relatives QA Supplied

Jacob Finds His Relatives

(Questions and Proposed Answers Supplied)

 

Background and Printed Text: Genesis 29:1-14

Genesis 29:1 And He-Will-Heel carried his feet. And he walked toward the land of the sons of the east. 2And he saw. And behold, a well is in the field. And behold, three flocks of sheep couching upon her are there. For they watered the flocks from that well. And the stone is big upon the mouth of the well. 3And all the flocks will be gathered there. And they will roll the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And they will water the sheep. And they will return the stone upon the mouth of the well to her place.

 

4And He-Will-Heel said to them, “My brethren, from where are ye?” And they said, “We are from Fury.” 5And he said to them, “Knew ye White the son of Snorer?” And they said, “We knew.” 6And he said to them, “Is peace to him?” And they said, “Peace. And behold, Ewe his daughter came with the flock.”

 

7And he said, “Behold, the day is yet big. [It] is not time for the cattle to be gathered. Water ye the flock. And go-ye. Pasture-ye.” 8And they said, “We will not be able until all the flocks shall be gathered and they shall roll the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And we will water the flock.”

 

9He is yet speaking with them. And Ewe came with the flock that is to her father. For he is a shepherdess. 10And he was just as He-Will-Heel saw Ewe the daughter of White his mother’s brother and the sheep of White his mother’s brother. And He-Will-Heel approached. And he rolled the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And he watered the flock of White his mother’s brother. 11And He-Will-Heel kissed Ewe. And he carried his voice. And he wept.

 

12And He-Will-Heel told to Ewe that he is her father’s brother, and that he is Multiple-Pouring’s son. And she ran. And she told to her father. 13And he was as White’s hearing news of He-Will-Heel his sister’s son. And he ran to meet him. And he embraced him. And he kissed him. And he brought him unto his house. And he scrolled to White all these things. 14And White said to him, “But thou art my bone and my flesh!” And he dwelt with him a month of days.

 

 

 

 

I. Jacob and the Well (verses 1-3)

The Hebrew says that Jacob carried his feet. He had just seen the ladder, and he had spoken with Yehovah. He went toward Laban’s house.

 

He walked toward a place known as the land of the sons of the east. He looked and saw a well in a field. There were three flocks by it, so Jacob knew that this was a gathering place.

 

They watered the flocks from this well. A very large stone was placed over the well’s mouth; only when the stone was rolled from the well’s mouth could the sheep be watered. Then the stone was put back again. The shepherds and shepherdesses could not individually remove this large stone; it was far too heavy. Some strong men did the moving of the stone on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   What does “Jacob carried his feet” mean? This describes something different from walking. It is as if Jacob is depressed, and had to force himself to continue walking. Feet normally carry the person!

 

2.   What is the land of the sons of the east? This refers to India or China, since both locations are east of where he was. Those living on those lands are sons of the east.

 

3.   Jacob, like Avraham’s slave, came right to the right spot and just at the right time to meet a relative of Laban. Did Jacob have good luck or didn’t he? Luck isn’t a Biblical idea. It belongs to occult beliefs—beliefs that are hidden with secrets, powers and forces that are unseen. The Bible is designed to be the opposite of occult (hidden) things, revealing what is occurring in the world and universe. While angels are normally invisible, the Bible explains their doings and their work. Those who use the occult, who are witches, worlocks, drug pushers, illegal drug suppliers and users, followers of popular astrology, palm readers, tarrot card readers, Quija Board users, etc., do not fear Yehovah the God of the Bible, and will desire to have ‘good luck.’ Jacob didn’t have bad or good luck. He had Yehovah.

 

4.   What does couching mean (verse 2)? This describes an animal at rest with its head up and its four hooves or paws in a forward position:

 

 

 

 

5.   Why were the sheep couching? They were at rest, waiting either for water or for moving to pasture lands where they could graze.

 

6.   Why did they use that well (instead of another well)? Wells are rare in that part of the world. Not many places have water that is accessible for sheep. They used what they could, just as they still do in the Middle East.

 

7.   Why was a stone placed over the well, and how was it shaped? Keeping a well covered avoided animals falling in and dying when the well wasn’t being used. It would also keep others from using it without help from strong individuals.

 

       The shape of the stone was round, like this:

 

 

       It was a large flattened disc that could be rolled.

 

8.   Who will normally roll the stone from the well and will return the stone to the well to cover it? Strong shepherds normally did this.

 

 

 

 

II. The Inquiry (verses 4-6)

Jacob was the stranger to the area, but he asked them, “From where are ye?” or the way we might say it, “Where are you from?” They told him that they are from Haran (Fury). He then inquired about Laban (White), and they knew him.

 

In Hebrew, the question, “Is there peace to you?” means, “Are you doing well?” For if one is not doing well, he doesn’t have peace. He asked about Laban’s peace, And they responded, “Peace.” They also knew Rachel, and they told Jacob that she came with the flock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Why did Jacob call strangers brethren? Jacob is from the Syrian culture:

 

       Deuteronomy 26:5 And thou shalt speak and say before Yehovah thy God, “A Syrian ready to perish was my father. And he went down into Egypt. And he sojourned there with a few. And he became a great, mighty and populous nation there.”

 

       While Avraham, Isaac and Jacob were not Syrian by race, but were Arphaxadi, they were Syrian by culture. Jacob could call them brethren for this reason, and perhaps for other reasons.

 

2.   The brethren answered that they knew White (Laban), and peace was to him. Why didn’t they say more? The text doesn’t say. As we read more about Laban, we may know why they said so little about him!

 

3.   Is Ewe a good name for a girl? What is a ewe? A ewe is a female sheep. Sheep can be very delightful and gentle; this would be a good name for a daughter. Her name in English is Rachel or Raquel.

 

4.   Since Ewe (Raquel) has her own flock of sheep, is she wealthy? No; she is very poor. Being a shepherd was a very low-status job, and being a shepherdess is even lower!

 

 

 

 

III. Jacob’s Advice (verses 7-8)

Jacob was mystified. There were three flocks by this covered well, and the day is yet big (the sun is high); this isn’t the time to gather cattle. He told them to water the flock and to take them to pasture.

 

They explained that they were unable to do this. All the flocks must be gathered; then and only then will they role the stone from the mouth of the well. They can then water the flock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Why did Jacob act in such a bossy manner (verse 7)? He didn’t. This would be bossy in English, but it isn’t in Hebrew. He was inquiring to find why they were standing by a well doing nothing when the sheep should be drinking or eating.

 

2.   What does “Behold, the day is yet big” mean? This means that there is still much more daylight.

 

3.   What is the time that cattle should be gathered? That is much closer to the evening. Folks had to watch their cattle and flocks because animals might attack and humans would steal if they didn’t watch.

 

4.   What does “Pasture-ye” mean? This means to take the animals to places where they can graze well, those lands being called pastures. This is where the word pastor comes. A pastor is one who leads folks to where they can find Biblical Truth (like food) to eat and Biblical Life (like waters) to drink. The idea of a pastor isn’t to make folks dependent on him or her for these things, but to be independent. The pastor (shepherd) also has other responsibilities, like warning the flock and taking care of needs that they can. Members of the flock in turn give them what they produce (like sheep give wool and milk).

 

 

 

 

IV. Jacob’s Sudden Strength (verses 9-11)

Jacob was still in conversation when Rachel and her flock arrived. When Jacob saw her and the sheep, Jacob approached the well and rolled the stone cover from it. He then watered the flock of Laban. After this, he kissed Rachel. Then Jacob carried (lifted) his voice and wept out loud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   What other text describes an event that is like this, in which a slave is speaking to Yehovah and making a request, when he is also interrupted by seeing an important girl? This was what occurred with Avraham’s slave who went to obtain a woman for Isaac. He was making a request, and she (Rivka) came along.

 

2.   Why does the text read, “For he is a shepherdess,” when he is a girl? That is the Hebrew way of saying, “For this is a shepherdess,” referring to her as a member of the human race rather than as an individual. All members of the human race are generically described (described in a general, non-specific way) as he. (Everyone is a soul, and the human souls of men and women, girls and boys are always feminine in gender, as if they were girls!)

 

3.   Why did Jacob suddenly approach the stone over the mouth of the well, and roll it off? It was because he saw Raquel! She was cute. He went into action to serve her.

 

4.   Where did Jacob get the strength to move such a heavy rock? His strength either came from adrenaline (a chemical that gives sudden strength when a person has a sudden emotional response to something that requires extra energy), or it came from Yehovah. Either way, it was there!

 

5.   Why did Jacob water the flock? Jacob wanted to serve his Uncle Laban, and he wanted to serve Raquel.

 

6.   Why did Jacob kiss Rachel before he explained who he was? Wasn’t this wrong? After all, kissing a girl was a very big deal in those days! Jacob kissed her because she was kin to him. This wasn’t wrong. There was nothing wrong about this kiss; it was proper affection.

 

7.   Wasn’t Jacob a wimp, a sissy or a wuss for weeping out loud? He was quite the opposite. He was very tough, and therefore he wasn’t afraid to show emotions. Cultures in the Bible openly showed emotions without appearing to be cowards.

 

 

 

 

V. Laban Comes (verses 12-14)

Jacob told Rachel how he was related to her. He called himself “her father’s brother,” but the word “brother” is used to mean “relative” when used this way. He said that he was Rebekah’s (Rivka’s) son. Rachel ran and told her father (leaving Jacob by the well).

 

Laban heard the news, and he ran to meet Jacob. He embraced him (he hugged him tightly), and he kissed him. (Men kiss men in many cultures, and it does not mean that they are attracted to each other; it means that they are glad to see each other or that they will miss each other when they part.)

 

Laban then brought Jacob to his house. Jacob scrolled to Laban what had happened at his house, and why he had come. Laban said that he (Jacob) was his bone and flesh!

 

Jacob stayed with Laban for a month of days—that is, for about thirty days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Ewe ran. Did she leave the sheep? She must have! They were safe enough; they had been watered, and they were content.

 

2.   Did her father live far away? The text doesn’t say. He probably wasn’t close. If he lived close, she would not be waiting by the well; she would be waiting at home. If Laban had been close, he could have had some of his men move the stone from the well. Since they all just waited, the well must have been a distance from where she lived.

 

3.   What does “And he was” mean? This tells the reader that the next event about to be described occurred at the same time as the event already occurring. For example, Laban hears the news of Jacob. He immediately runs to meet him. Thus, Laban’s running to meet him was (occurred) when White heard the news. It is like “It came to pass,” but this expression sounds like it is describing a fairy tale! The Bible tells what happened next.

 

4.   Was Laban happy to see him? Yes, he was.

 

5.   What did Jacob tell Laban? Jacob told Laban all these things. He scrolled it to him, giving the events in order.

 

6.   What did Laban mean by, “but thou art my bone and my flesh”? He meant that Jacob was a close relative, though he used the expression found in marriage.

 

7.   Was it good for Jacob to stay a full month? It was fine and such long stays were normal, at that time.

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Genesis 29 Jacob Finds His Relatives

Jacob Finds His Relatives

(See this link to open the same document with proposed answers)

 

 

 

Background and Printed Text: Genesis 29:1-14

 

Genesis 29:1 And He-Will-Heel carried his feet. And he walked toward the land of the sons of the east. 2And he saw. And behold, a well is in the field. And behold, three flocks of sheep couching upon her are there. For they watered the flocks from that well. And the stone is big upon the mouth of the well. 3And all the flocks will be gathered there. And they will roll the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And they will water the sheep. And they will return the stone upon the mouth of the well to her place.

 

4And He-Will-Heel said to them, “My brethren, from where are ye?” And they said, “We are from Fury.” 5And he said to them, “Knew ye White the son of Snorer?” And they said, “We knew.” 6And he said to them, “Is peace to him?” And they said, “Peace. And behold, Ewe his daughter came with the flock.”

 

7And he said, “Behold, the day is yet big. [It] is not time for the cattle to be gathered. Water ye the flock. And go-ye. Pasture-ye.” 8And they said, “We will not be able until all the flocks shall be gathered and they shall roll the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And we will water the flock.”

 

9He is yet speaking with them. And Ewe came with the flock that is to her father. For he is a shepherdess. 10And he was just as He-Will-Heel saw Ewe the daughter of White his mother’s brother and the sheep of White his mother’s brother. And He-Will-Heel approached. And he rolled the stone from upon the mouth of the well. And he watered the flock of White his mother’s brother. 11And He-Will-Heel kissed Ewe. And he carried his voice. And he wept.

 

12And He-Will-Heel told to Ewe that he is her father’s brother, and that he is Multiple-Pouring’s son. And she ran. And she told to her father. 13And he was as White’s hearing news of He-Will-Heel his sister’s son. And he ran to meet him. And he embraced him. And he kissed him. And he brought him unto his house. And he scrolled to White all these things. 14And White said to him, “But thou art my bone and my flesh!” And he dwelt with him a month of days.

 

 

I. Jacob and the Well (verses 1-3)

The Hebrew says that Jacob carried his feet. He had just seen the ladder, and he had spoken with Yehovah. He went toward Laban’s house.

 

He walked toward a place known as the land of the sons of the east. He looked and saw a well in a field. There were three flocks by it, so Jacob knew that this was a gathering place.

 

They watered the flocks from this well. A very large stone was placed over the well’s mouth; only when the stone was rolled from the well’s mouth could the sheep be watered. Then the stone was put back again. The shepherds and shepherdesses could not individually remove this large stone; it was far too heavy. Some strong men did the moving of the stone on a daily basis.

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   What does “Jacob carried his feet” mean?

 

2.   What is the land of the sons of the east?

 

3.   Jacob, like Avraham’s slave, came right to the right spot and just at the right time to meet a relative of Laban. Did Jacob have good luck or didn’t he?

 

4.   What does couching mean (verse 2)?

 

5.   Why were the sheep couching?

 

6.   Why did they use that well (instead of another well)?

 

7.   Why was a stone placed over the well, and how was it shaped?

 

8.   Who will normally roll the stone from the well and will return the stone to the well to cover it?

 

 

II. The Inquiry (verses 4-6)

Jacob was the stranger to the area, but he asked them, “From where are ye?” or the way we might say it, “Where are you from?” They told him that they are from Haran (Fury). He then inquired about Laban (White), and they knew him.

 

In Hebrew, the question, “Is there peace to you?” means, “Are you doing well?” For if one is not doing well, he doesn’t have peace. He asked about Laban’s peace, And they responded, “Peace.” They also knew Rachel, and they told Jacob that she came with the flock.

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Why did Jacob call strangers brethren?

 

2.   The brethren answered that they knew White (Laban), and peace was to him. Why didn’t they say more?

 

3.   Is Ewe a good name for a girl? What is a ewe?

 

4.   Since Ewe (Raquel) has her own flock of sheep, is she wealthy?

 

 

III. Jacob’s Advice (verses 7-8)

Jacob was mystified. There were three flocks by this covered well, and the day is yet big (the sun is high); this isn’t the time to gather cattle. He told them to water the flock and to take them to pasture.

 

They explained that they were unable to do this. All the flocks must be gathered; then and only then will they role the stone from the mouth of the well. They can then water the flock.

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Why did Jacob act in such a bossy manner (verse 7)?

 

2.   What does “Behold, the day is yet big” mean?

 

3.   What is the time that cattle should be gathered?

 

4.   What does “Pasture-ye” mean?

 

 

IV. Jacob’s Sudden Strength (verses 9-11)

Jacob was still in conversation when Rachel and her flock arrived. When Jacob saw her and the sheep, Jacob approached the well and rolled the stone cover from it. He then watered the flock of Laban. After this, he kissed Rachel. Then Jacob carried (lifted) his voice and wept out loud.

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   What other text describes an event that is like this, in which a slave is speaking to Yehovah and making a request, when he is also interrupted by seeing an important girl?

 

2.   Why does the text read, “For he is a shepherdess,” when he is a girl?

 

3.   Why did Jacob suddenly approach the stone over the mouth of the well, and roll it off?

 

4.   Where did Jacob get the strength to move such a heavy rock?

 

5.   Why did Jacob water the flock?

 

6.   Why did Jacob kiss Rachel before he explained who he was? Wasn’t this wrong? After all, kissing a girl was a very big deal in those days!

 

7.   Wasn’t Jacob a wimp, a sissy or a wuss for weeping out loud?

 

 

V. Laban Comes (verses 12-14)

Jacob told Rachel how he was related to her. He called himself “her father’s brother,” but the word “brother” is used to mean “relative” when used this way. He said that he was Rebekah’s (Rivka’s) son. Rachel ran and told her father (leaving Jacob by the well).

 

Laban heard the news, and he ran to meet Jacob. He embraced him (he hugged him tightly), and he kissed him. (Men kiss men in many cultures, and it does not mean that they are attracted to each other; it means that they are glad to see each other or that they will miss each other when they part.)

 

Laban then brought Jacob to his house. Jacob scrolled to Laban what had happened at his house, and why he had come. Laban said that he (Jacob) was his bone and flesh!

 

Jacob stayed with Laban for a month of days—that is, for about thirty days.

 

 

 

Questions

 

1.   Ewe ran. Did she leave the sheep?

 

2.   Did her father live far away?

 

3.   What does “And he was” mean?

 

4.   Was Laban happy to see him?

 

5.   What did Jacob tell Laban?

 

6.   What did Laban mean by, “but thou art my bone and my flesh”?

 

7.   Was it good for Jacob to stay a full month?

 

 

Posted on

The Kingdom

The Kingdom
(A fragment of the Topic)

 

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done upon the earth, as in the heavens.

To which kingdom does this refer?

 

God Owns the Kingdom

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Who are the above marked our? The Gentiles cannot say our God, because Yehovah is identified with the Israelis in the Bible.

 

Some Gentiles Inherit the Kingdom

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. 32And before Him shall be gathered all nations. And He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.  33And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Who are the brethren? The nations (races) have been gathered, but the brethren are being treated as a separate group. The sheep side of the nations inherit the kingdom prepared for them. Why are they called blessed and righteous, when they had no clue that they were doing Messiah good by doing the brethren good?

 

The Kingdom Will Be Restored to Israel

Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

The disciples looked for the kingdom being restored to Israel.

 

The Kingdom Will Last, Never Being Destroyed

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Daniel 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his Kingdom is from generation to generation.

Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom which shall not be destroyed.

This kingdom will last from the time of Messiah’s coming onward.

 

The Saints Will Take the Kingdom

Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom.

Daniel 7:27 And the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The Saints and the people of the Saints will be given this kingdom. What people belongs to the Saints?

 

Yehovah Historically Owned the Kingdom of Israel

1 Chronicles 28:5  And of all my sons, for Yehovah hath given me many sons, He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Yehovah over Israel.

 

Yehovah Will Own the Kingdom

Obadiah 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the Kingdom shall be Yehovah’s.

Yehovah will possess the kingdom.

 

The Daughter of Jerusalem Will Obtain the Kingdom

Micah 4:8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem will possess the kingdom.

 

Posted on

Is the Law ‘Done Away With’?

Has the Law Been

‘Done Away With’?

 

Written by Lynn R.

 

1.   A Note On Expository Preaching

The best form of preaching has always been expository. It takes the most work in order to properly prepare, but it also has the best benefits for the listeners. There are a number of expository preachers today (though expository sermons are increasingly rare and are being replaced by inferior ‘topical’ sermons because of the ease of preparation). Those who preach expositorily need to be commended.

 

2.   What Truly Makes Preaching Successful

Members who are genuinely interested in truth are attracted by the form of preaching which includes proper quotations of the Word of God, shows true doctrine, and reveals truth in a way that is useful to hearers. A pastor who properly presents the Word in a way that makes for increased righteousness and justice among hearers who fear God tends to draw many, because the Word is drawing them.

 

3.   What Frustrates The True Fearers Of God

If truth attracts Saints, what frustrates them? Obviously, error does. Today, more than at any other time in the history of this country, error is being taught from fundamental pulpits, as well as pulpits where error can be expected (the pulpits of ‘liberals’ and cults). The cause of error is usually simple: the pastor was taught something in seminary, and has clung to it as truth without checking. Another cause arises when a pastor mistreats and mishandles the Word of Truth, not properly considering a text’s context and to whom the text is referring. Those listening to pastors are just as responsible for what they hear and believe as pastors are for what they teach, even though teachers will be judged far more harshly for their error. All should approach the Word of Truth with fear and trembling. I take this to be literal. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not, Exodus 20:20. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10:31. Today, the word awe is being used to supplant the word fear. But do Biblical texts mean awe or fear? Just awful? Hardly!

 

4.   A Personal Experience: Has The Law Been Trashed?

This summer, toward the end of a great ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ sermon, my ears perked when the statement was made that “The law was done away with at the cross, reference Ephesians 2:15.” If true, this would seem to be a rather curious and drastic event—if some parts of the Scriptures are done away with.

This isn’t the first time I have heard a teaching similar to this, and I don’t know exactly why it became noteworthy to me at the time. I think the theory is that the Jewish and Gentile, and pre-Messiah and post-Messiah requirements for salvation are somehow uniquely different. However, Ephesians 2 describes in great detail how there is no difference in salvation for Jew and Gentile, and that there should no longer be enmity between the two as in the past. Verses 14 and 15 state,

For He is our (Jew & Gentile) peace, who made both (Jew & Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, (caused by) the law of commandments in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you (Gentiles) which were afar off, and to them (Jews) that were nigh. For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

It is the enmity between Jew and Gentile that is done away with, slain at the cross, and not the law. The Jews had flaunted their special, peculiar status with Jehovah by their being the direct recipients of the Word of God through Moses and the books of the Law, thus causing enmity with the Gentiles. This is the enmity that is done away with.

Granted, Ephesians 2:15 is a little fuzzy and the Greek does not help much in clarity. There are other verses with great clarity that cover the same subject, however. We can quote none other than Jehovah (Yeshua, Messiah, Jesus) in Matthew 5:17-18, an unchallengeable and immutable source.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

The law is expressly not destroyed (done away with), and is secure exactly as written for at least another 1,000 years from today.

Note the severe warning editorial in the very next verse:

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Comparing Scripture with Scripture, Ephesians 2:15 cannot mean that the Law is done away with. Matthew 5:17-19 are the ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ verses on this subject.

 

5.   Messiah’s Personal Exegesis

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses (the books of Moses) and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Yeshua Messiah begins with Moses (the books of the Law of Jehovah) when revealing Himself in Scripture. Should we not begin at the same place? Does this not bring importance to our knowing the Law thoroughly rather than considering that it may have been done away with? The Law is the exact, never changing, detailed justice system of God, and a total knowledge and understanding is desperately needed today as never before to set the foundation and the standard for all Christian human values and behavior. Does it save us? No. Did it save the Jews? No. Hebrews 4:2, For unto us (contemporary Jews) was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (children of Israel in the wilderness): but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. The ‘gospel’ is not new in the New Testament. ‘Faith’ is not new in the New Testament. Preaching, gospel, hearing and faith are the same throughout recorded Scriptures.

 

6.   What Happens To The Law When Faith Comes?

Romans 3:30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Does faith void the Law? No. It confirms the Law. Faith is necessary for both Jew and Gentile. Knowledge of the Law is required reading for both Jew and Gentile. The Law of God is the detailed plan of God by which the man of God is to gauge his whole life.

 

7.   Is The Law Alive Today?

The Law is alive and well today! It declares the full righteousness, justice, grace, and love of Jehovah! We must nip in the bud any notion to the contrary as we strive to present the true doctrine of ‘Thus saith Jehovah.’

 

8.   To Whom Was The Law Given?

If you said the Jews, you are right. Who can learn from the Law? Jews and Gentiles. There are countless Scriptures and ramifications of these simple facts, these teachings of God. No one can properly understand the Scriptures without being able to sort out some direction to God’s plan for the Jews and God’s plan for the Gentiles. At this time and in this paper, however, I am only proving the certainty and duration of the Law.

 

9.   The Duration Of The Law

Notice the text quoted above:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

When will heaven and earth pass? Messiah must reign for 1,000 years, and before this, a time of great tribulation. Some very important events precede the time of great tribulation, and they will take time. It will be at least another 1,007 years before the Law passes!

 

10. Conclusion

The Law is not dead. It is inspired Scripture, and must be viewed that way, to insure that contempt for the Law does not become part of one’s beliefs!