Ephraim, Northern Kingdom and Judah, Southern Kingdom.

In the lecture, it was brought out that Ephraim being the dominant tribe became idiomatic for the Northern Kingdom.  I always wonder why the Northern Kingdom name was Israel and / or Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom was call Judah because they were the dominant tribe.  I know Israel is another name for Jacob, and Ephraim and Judah were sons to Jacob / Israel. 

There is a confusing verse that Paul writes about in the Faith Chapter.  It is Heb 11:21 and says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons."  Why bless Joseph’s sons (Ephraim) and not bless Judah (Jews) who our Savior came out of. 

Going through the lecture of Genesis, I think I found part of the answer why.  We know that Gen 49 is where Jacob / Israel  tells his sons what will happen to you in days to come.  This is not a blessing, but what will happen in the future. 

In Gen 48, Jacob / Israel told Joseph his two sons will be his.  Vs 48 is the area where Jacob cross his arms and put his right hand on Ephraim head, who was younger.  Joseph disagreed with Jacob about this. 

This is where Jacob / Israel blessed Joseph two sons and said, they are to be called by his name (Israel) and the names of  his fathers, Abraham and Isaac.  So, the two sons were given the names of Israel.  This explains to me why the Northern Kingdom is called Israel and / or Ephraim, depending on how it is used.  Blessing

Stephen

(Heb 11:21) By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons "and worshiped while leaning on the top of his staff."

(Gen 48:5 NIV)  "Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.

(Gen 49:1 NIV)  Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

(Gen 48:14 NIV)  But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.

(Gen 48:15-16 NIV)  Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, {16} the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth."

How is God the Great Physician? Describe it both physically and spiritually.

When we take of the yearly Jesus Passover Service, Paul reminds us that the bread of the Passover services is Jesus body and it was broken for us in 1 Cor 11 and we are commanded by Jesus to do it in remembrance of Him.    Yes, a command by Jesus to do it.  Why, Peter explains that by Jesus wounds, we have been healed in Luke 22:19.  When we take of the bread of the Passover, it is a reminder that Jesus body was broken for us and we are healed because of His wounds.  Isaiah confirms this in Isa 53:5 and Isaiah also says, Jesus was pierced in the side because of our sins we commit again God (all sin is against God).  James then tells us when we are sick throughout the year, we are to call the elders of the church and they will pray over us and will anoint us with oil in the name of Jesus.  How many Christians call the elders for anointing when they or the family are sick or do our elders even do this or have oil to anoint the sick Christians.  These are things that our church bodies as a whole do not do today.  Just another command from Jesus.  Yes, Jesus is our High Priest and Physician that will heal us of our sickness.  Just as the Israelites had to do and follow a procedure in faith, we also as Christians have a procedure we need to follow in faith that is given in the scriptures.

Blessing

Stephen

(1 Cor 11:24 KJV)  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(Luke 22:19 NIV)  And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

(1 Pet 2:24 NIV)  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

(Isa 53:5 NIV)  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(James 5:14-15 NIV)  Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. {15} And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

Give an example(s) of the quote: “We become like the gods we worship!”

We all know that the most common answer to this question about we become like the gods we worship.  We can look at movie stars, sports stars and government leaders.   We even have a TV series called “American Idol: The Search for a Superstar”.  How many say we love our cars, our computers, and other things like this.  Look where we spend our time and we will see where our idols are.  Idols are not just silver and gold, but what is in the mind and heart of the individual. 

So, what we do or see in our life style will tells us where our heart is and what we worship.   Yes, Psa 115 and 135 is correct in that how we spend our time and we show by this is how we worship our idols, we will be like them.  Look at a star trek convention or something like this and watch how the individuals are dress and worship by actions to the movie actors involved.  We look at our top government officials and realize that government is anti-Christian, anti-Bible and anti-scripture.  They say they are Christians, but words does not mean a thing, but by their actions and way of life they live which show they are living the way of the works of the flesh and not by the fruit of the spirit. 

There is one area that shows up in our walk with Jesus is where we will read all types of books and / or books about the Bible or scriptures but yet not read the Bible itself.  We depend on others to tell us what the scriptures say.  Does not the scriptures tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead and direct us in all understanding of the scriptures.  Do we spend more time reading other books than the Bible.  How many times I hear or read, I am going to set down tonight and read a good book.  It is not the Bible they are talking about.  This is an idol just as bad as silver and gold.

The Apostle Paul tells us 1 Cor 10 that is very hard to do in our society, that is “my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”  Oh, that is so hard to do today.  Blessing

Stephen 

(Psa 115:8 NIV)  Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

(Psa 135:18 NIV)  Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

(1 Cor 10:14 NIV)  Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

(Hosea 4:6 NIV)  my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

What does our culture condone today which God condemns?

The culture today in the English speaking nations condones so many things that I really do not know where to start.  John tells us that what is sinful is of the devil.  Then I believe that Paul in Gal 5 expounds the sinful nature that God condemns.  They are:

·      sexual immorality

·      impurity

·      debauchery

·      idolatry

·      witchcraft

·      hatred

·      discord

·      jealousy

·      fits of rage

·      selfish ambition

·      dissensions

·      factions

·      envy

·      drunkenness

·      orgies

Then Paul said, those who live like this, will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Live like this?  This means they are not following the Teachings and commands of Jesus and following Jesus Way of Life but following the Way of Death – Satan Way.  Now we know what God condemns todays generation. 

Blessing 

Stephen 

(1 John 3:8 NIV)  He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

(Gal 5:19-21 NIV)  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Why is ingratitude such a big deal to God?

When we look at the word, ingratitude, it means a lack of gratitude or ungratefulness, thanklessness, unappreciative or we criticize or find fault with a gift that God or someone gives us.  Do we really appreciate or value what we have or have been given us.  Are we grumblers and complainers about small things for example; traffic, the economy, problems with family and work, etc.  This is what happens to the Nation of Israel.  Jesus tells us in Num 14 that the Israel murmured against him.  Just read the many verses where the children (people) of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron.  All the things that Jesus did for them, this show a total attitude of ungratefulness.  Are we today, really any different?  Do we constantly complain about the above things?  Jesus ask, “How long will this wicked community grumble against me?”  Could this be said of us? 

When Jesus healed the 10 lepers, why did only one come back and give thanks, were the others ungrateful in Luke 17.  I do believe ingratitude is one of the most common sins in our society today.  The Apostle Paul told us to pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.  There are over 34 times the words “give thanks” is in the scriptures and I have attached them to this discussion.  Going through this study, the song, Count Your Blessings, come to mind.  It says Count your many blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.  Yes, God is provider of all good things to us and we are always in mind and soul, to give thanks for all things.  Blessing to you all.

Stephen

 (Hosea 7:15 NIV)  I trained them and strengthened them, but they plot evil against me.

 (Num 14:29 KJV)  Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

(Exo 16:2 KJV)  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

(Num 14:26-28 NIV)  The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: {27} "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. {28} So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say:

(1 Th 5:17-18 NIV)  pray continually; {18} give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Chr 16:4 NIV)  He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:

(1 Chr 16:8 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

(1 Chr 16:34-35 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. {35} Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."

(1 Chr 16:41 NIV)  With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, "for his love endures forever."

(2 Chr 20:21 NIV)  After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."

(2 Chr 31:2 NIV)  Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions--each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites--to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord's dwelling.

(Neh 12:31 NIV)  I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.

(Psa 7:17 NIV)  I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

(Psa 28:7 NIV)  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

(Psa 75:1 NIV)  For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

(Psa 100:4 NIV)  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

(Psa 105:1 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

(Psa 106:1 NIV)  Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psa 106:47 NIV)  Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

(Psa 107:1 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psa 107:8 NIV)  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

(Psa 107:15 NIV)  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

(Psa 107:21 NIV)  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

(Psa 107:31 NIV)  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

(Psa 118:1 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psa 118:19 NIV)  Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

(Psa 118:29 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psa 136:1-3 NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. {2} Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. {3} Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

(Psa 136:26 NIV)  Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

(Isa 12:4 NIV)  In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

(Jer 33:11 NIV)  the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD.

(1 Cor 10:16 NIV)  Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

(2 Cor 1:11 NIV)  as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

(1 Th 5:18 NIV)  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(Rev 11:17 NIV)  saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

 

Follow-up of Can of Worms - Food

As I was listening to a sermon on a completely different subject, I ran across the following scriptures about eating unclean foods.  The scriptures from Isa 66 (ISV) are talking about “right before the millennium starts” (first we have to prove to ourselves this is about the future return of Jesus to the earth).  Something to think about.

Jesus said “from all the nations to my holy mountain Jerusalem and all humanity will come to worship before me” and they will “look upon the dead bodies of the people who rebelled against me”. 

Who are the dead bodies that Jesus was talking about, which is what I found interesting.  They were the individuals who had judgment on them and slain by Jesus. What did these individuals have in common, vs 17 “those who eat the meat of pigs, disgusting things, and rats, are all alike” is what shocked me for I do not remember reading this about the millennium.  These scriptures is telling me that those who eat these things will be the dead bodies.  See you all in part 2.  Blessing 

Stephen

Isa 66:16:  For with fire and with his sword the LORD will proceed to judgment on all humanity, and those slain by the LORD will be many."

Isa 66:17:  "Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves, following the one at the center of those who eat the meat of pigs, disgusting things, and rats, are all alike," says the LORD.

Isa 66:18:  "But as for me, I know their actions and their thoughts. Come and gather all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

Isa 66:20:   They will bring all—yes, all!—of your kindred from all the nations to my holy mountain Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD—on horses, in chariots, in wagons, and on mules—yes, even on mules!—and on camels," says the LORD, "just as the Israelis bring a grain offering in a clean vessel to the LORD's house.

Isa 66:21:  Then I will also select some of them for myself as priests and as Levites," says the LORD.

Isa 66:22:  "For as the new heavens and the new earth that I am about to make will endure before me," says the LORD, "so will your descendants and your name endure.

Isa 66:23:  And from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all humanity will come to worship before me," says the LORD.

Isa 66:24: "Then they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of the people who rebelled against me. For their worm will not die, nor will their fire be extinguished, and they will remain an object of revulsion to all humanity."

How is it possible for us to grieve the Creator?

We know that God love us so much and this is why we can grieve Our Lord and Creator, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  We find that the words grieve / grieved means cause grief, heaviness, or sorrow.  Paul tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us how we grieve Jesus is when we err in our hearts and we do not know Jesus Way of Life, commands and teachings.  I would say no. We can grieve Jesus for the hardness of our hearts.  How, by not following Jesus commands.  Why is this important.  By following his commands is the only way we show our love for God.  John tells us that “This is love for God: to obey his commands.” Jesus said “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” If we do not obey Jesus commands shows we do not love Jesus.  Life style speaks louder than words.  Blessing

Stephen

(Eph 4:30 NIV)  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

(Mark 3:5 KJV)  And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

(Psa 95:10 KJV)  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

(Heb 3:10 KJV)  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

(Luke 18:8 KJV)  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

(John 15:17 KJV)  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

(John 14:15 NIV)  "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

(1 John 4:21 NIV)  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

(John 14:21 NIV)  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

(John 14:23-24 NIV)  Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

(1 John 5:3 NIV)  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

How is God the Great Physician? Describe it both physically and spiritually.

When we take of the yearly Jesus Passover Service, Paul reminds us that the bread of the Passover services is Jesus body and it was broken for us in 1 Cor 11 and we are commanded by Jesus to do it in remembrance of Him.    Yes, a command by Jesus to do it.  Why, Peter explains that by Jesus wounds, we have been healed in Luke 22:19.  When we take of the bread of the Passover, it is a reminder that Jesus body was broken for us and we are healed because of His wounds.  Isaiah confirms this in Isa 53:5 and Isaiah also says, Jesus was pierced in the side because of our sins we commit again God (all sin is against God).  James then tells us when we are sick throughout the year, we are to call the elders of the church and they will pray over us and will anoint us with oil in the name of Jesus.  How many Christians call the elders for anointing when they or the family are sick or do our elders even do this or have oil to anoint the sick Christians.  These are things that our church bodies as a whole do not do today.  Just another command from Jesus.  Yes, Jesus is our High Priest and Physician that will heal us of our sickness.  Just as the Israelites had to do and follow a procedure in faith, we also as Christians have a procedure we need to follow in faith that is given in the scriptures.

Blessing

Stephen

(1 Cor 11:24 KJV)  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(Luke 22:19 NIV)  And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

(1 Pet 2:24 NIV)  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

(Isa 53:5 NIV)  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(James 5:14-15 NIV)  Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. {15} And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

Did Jesus tell Peter to sin with the statement, God said to Peter: Rise, Peter; kill, and eat (Acts 10:13)?

You asked, did Jesus tell Peter to sin with the statement, God said to Peter: Rise, Peter; kill, and eat (Acts 10:13)?  Think about it for a moment, what was Peters reaction to the statement.  Peter said  "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."  If you are saying, that Jesus said it was OK now to eat “unclean” animals, now was the opportunity Jesus had to cement that we can eat unclean animals.  But what did Jesus say in response.  Jesus said,  "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  We are told this happen 3 times, then the vision was taken away. 

Then what did Peter thought, he was wondering about the meaning of the vision.  Remember, this vision was 10 plus years after Jesus death.  What happens next, was Cornelius story, an unclean Gentile that Peter and the rest of the Jews would not associate with and failed to go with the gospel to the unclean Gentiles.

I think Luke words what Peter said about this vision was, “it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”  That is what the vision is all about.  It is not about unclean food, but about future saints of the Living God.

To answer your question, No.  Jesus comments to Peter at first were to call attention or special emphasis to the point of calling unclean Gentiles, impure or unclean.  All that was, was a “figure of speech”.  We know there are all types of figure of speech through the scriptures.  These verses do not prove we can now eat unclean animals. 

Blessing

Stephen

(Acts 10:14 NIV)  "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

(Acts 10:15 NIV)  The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

(Acts 10:16 NIV)  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

(Acts 10:17 NIV)  While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate.

(Acts 10:28 NIV)  He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

Can of Worms - Food

I am going to open up a can of worms here about what we are allowed to eat and what we are not allowed to eat at least from Acts 10 that is used to prove that we can eat carnivorous animals now.  The Israelites were not allowed to take unclean animals for sacrifices into the Temple and since we are the Temple of God, why do we put unclean animals into us.  Prior scriptures show that God (Jesus) will not let any unclean thing be in His present.

If we really take a close look at the words, Jesus said (this vision is about 10 years after Jesus Resurrection) "Get up, Peter! Kill something and eat it."

Peter did not understand what Jesus just said.  Remember Peter said "Absolutely not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean!"  Very strong words from Peter.  Jesus then told Peter,  “You must stop calling unclean what God has made clean.” 

What is wrong here and what did the Apostles fail to do.  Were the Apostles not given a  great commission to go and disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you.  They did not do this, for they were Jews and would not associate with unclean gentiles.   

Peter said it was wrong for a Jew to associate or visit with a gentile, but God has shown me that I should stop calling anyone common or unclean.  Peter now understood that is was about gentiles and not food. This was not talking about food, but about individuals, gentiles.  Peter then explains later that God has given repentance that leads to life, even to gentiles.  You might have other scriptures on what you can eat, but this is not one of them.  Blessing

Stephen

Act 10:13  Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter! Kill something and eat it."

Act 10:14  But Peter said, "Absolutely not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean!"

Act 10:15  Again the voice came to him a second time, "You must stop calling unclean what God has made clean."

Act 10:28  He told them, "You understand how wrong it is for a Jew to associate or visit with a gentile. But God has shown me that I should stop calling anyone common or unclean,

Act 11:18  When they heard this, they calmed down, and praised God, saying, "So God has given repentance that leads to life even to gentiles."

Mat 28:19  Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20  teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age."