Musing – Were the Pharisees Good Guys or Bad Guys?

 Hebraic Musing – Were the Pharisees Good Guys or Bad Guys?

Many Bible readers do not fully understand the Pharisees because they don’t know the teachings of the Torah well enough to understand the accusations of the Pharisees.  On many occasions Jesus had to correct them based on the Torah which He observed.  And Jesus never violated the Torah.  Might this also apply to us?

We have almost identical verses in Matthew, Mark and Luke for most of these accusations:

·      Matthew 9:11, Mark 2:16, Luke 5:50 – Eating with tax collectors and social outcasts.  In their eyes Yeshua is lowering himself by having anything to do with these men who are working for the Romans and being a traitor to Israel. Matthew himself had been a tax collector.

·      Matthew 9:14, Mark 2:18 – Failing to fast.  There is only one Biblical fast, which is found in Leviticus23, on the 15th day of the 7th month is Yom Kippur the day of fasting and repentance.

·      Matthew 12:2, Mark 2:24, John 6:2  – Gleaning fields as walking by.  In Deuteronomy 23:24-25, “When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, you shall eat to the satisfaction of your desire, but do not put any in a receptacle of yours. When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you shall pluck the heads with your hand, but do not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.”   BTW, in China, there are walking paths right along the fields, just like Yeshua described in the parable of the seeds with some falling on the path, and also being able to glean/snack as they walked along.

·      Matthew 15:1-2, Mark 7:3 – Hand washing before eating.  Only the priests were instructed to repeatedly wash their hands, not only for cleanliness in the midst of sacrifices, but to be clean when the entered the Mishkan or Heykal, where the presence of YHVH dwelt.

The Pharisees paid a great deal of attention to outward ordinances and actions that would make them appear righteous, but they were not as concerned with being righteous in their hearts.  For this Jesus referred to them as hypocrites. 

In Christian context, a modern day “Pharisee” is someone who follows the impulse to be seen as righteous by obeying certain laws, while ignoring more important matters of the heart.

Points to Ponder

How often are we overly concerned about our outward appearance(s)?

Is the Lord looking at our appearances, or at our hearts?

Have we made Extra-Biblical rules for ourselves?

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             December 26, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Excerpted from Johanna Shager Hocker’s “Were the Pharisees good guys or bad guys?” Dec. 11, 2023
            And there are two more pages of additional examples of hypocrisies available on request.

Musing – What was God’s Plan for Our Children’s Education?

Hebraic Musing – What was God’s Plan for Our Children’s Education?

How many times do you hear someone wanting to know, or go back to, what the early church did to be so successful?  We find ourselves envious of their explosive growth.   The book of Acts provides the answer.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NIV   Is there a reason that ‘teaching’ is named first?

Growing as they did required a lot of ‘equipping of the Saints’ Eph 4:11-12 NKJV.  Home fellowships did not have “paid, professional leaders”.  Instead, everyone participated, learned, took turns teaching and eventually started another group in another home.  How did these Hebrew believers become so learned?   Three keys: 

1. It started in childhood.  Children at about the age of five start to learn and memorize the Torah, starting with Leviticus in order to learn what is righteous and holy before learning anything else.  Honey was fed in the initial reading session so the ‘Word became as sweet as honey’.  By the time the boy was twelve he was trying to memorize major portions of the Torah.  At 12 or 13 the boy celebrates his Bar Mitzvah and is accepted as a ‘man’ in the community; not surprising that Jesus was teaching at the temple at the age of twelve – His Bar Mitzvah.  At about age 15 the young man is chosen to either learn a trade or be accepted to study and to memorize the rest of the TaNaK.  Age of 30 was the typical ‘Rabbinical’ ordination; Jesus was ordained, commissioned, by baptism (or Mikvah) in the Jordan at about age 30.  The ‘learning culture’ for all men continues until their dying day.

2. Teaching was, and is, the father’s responsibility.  Mother helped but there was no ‘public school’.  And a child who did not learn the ‘Law’ and also a ‘trade’ was a disgrace to the father (and to His Father).  The center of education was the home.  They used text-people, not text-books.  As the father, and mother, worked around the house, the children would be taught object lessons.  Deut. 6:6-9 prescribes the curriculum.  “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” NIV   Home-schooling is not new; and observing diligent home-schooling parent/child interaction awakens one to the advantages of learning to capture ‘teaching-moments’ in daily life.

3. Education was supplemented by priests, prophets and wise-men.  Priests were the custodians and expounders of the Law.  Prophets championed moral righteousness and social justice.  And wise-men were to — “Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.” Deut.31:12 NIV

Conclusion:  To this day their ‘superior’ education process, customs and culture produces an abundance of ‘Nobel Prize’ winners, doctors, lawyers and business owners; one example – the Rothschild family.

So, why the explosive growth of the early church?  The typical Hebrew/Jew in Bible times studied, LEARNED and knew God’s Word thoroughly.  Thus they were able to grasp the message of the Messiah – Yeshua HaMashiach.  Leading a newly spun-off bible study and living room fellowships were second nature to the typical Hebrew family.  Thus the Church had plenty of God-fearing, LEARNED ‘Bible scholars’ ready to lead new groups.  And Evangelism was second nature.  Would a more thorough reverence of God and LEARNING His Word directly from his/her parents provide the desire and ability for today’s church to explode?  

Points to Ponder

Does education only come from public Kindergarten through H.S./College curriculums?

Who is teaching today’s children (tomorrow’s leaders)?    What are they being taught?

If children are not to watch “Adult Only” entertainment, why is it okay for adults to watch?

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverb 22:6

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             December19, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Re-edited from Dec.30,2009 – Hebraic Insight #44 – What were THEY devoted to?   Learning!

Musing – Are there Heresies that are Distracting Us from the Truth?

 Hebraic Musing – Are there Heresies that are Distracting Us from the Truth?

Churches and religions of today have many ways to avoid the whole truth by accepting false teachings about Jesus.  Jesus warned us in three Gospels – “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:4-5, Mark 13:5-6 & Luke 21:8    What are some deceptions that have crept into mankind’s theology?  Here are nine Heresies to consider.  (NKJV references)

Adoptionism – AKA Dynamic Monarchianism holds that Jesus was adopted as the Son of God at his baptism, his resurrection, or his ascension.  This early nontrinitarian theological doctrine is derived from the account of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:17 from which they’ve concluded that Jesus was adopted by God the Father. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Another reference they use – “For to which of the angels did He ever say: ’You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son’” Hebrews 1:5.  And Monarchianism similarly believes God the Father is superior, above Jesus, so Jesus is not divine.

Apollinarianism – is a Christological heresy proposed by Apollinaris of Laodicea (who died 390AD) arguing that Jesus had a human body and a divine mind/soul; not a rational human mind. 

Arianism – is a heresy declaring that Jesus is not truly divine but was only a created being.  According to Arius (4th century), God alone is immutable and self-existent, and the Son is not God but a creature with a beginning.  This Mormon and Jehovah Witness teaching focused on Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  It teaches that God the Father created Jesus before all else was created, but not divine.  So, while Jesus is the son of God, He is neither eternal nor as fully divine as God the father.

Docetism – AKA Gnosticism is an early Christian doctrinal heresy affirming that Jesus did not have a real or natural body during his life on earth but only an apparent or phantom one based on an underlying belief that all material things are evil, and all spiritual is good.  So, for Jesus to be good, He must not be human.   Philippians 2:5-8 NIV says – …Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!   So, Jesus cannot be both physically human and also be spiritually in the Godhead.

Monophysitism – refers to Christians who believe that Jesus’ nature remains altogether divine and not human, even though he has taken on an earthly and human body with its cycle of birth, life, and death.  So, they believe that Jesus looked like a man, but really was God.  He never took on humanity, thus never was human.  Hebrews 4:15 is their supporting scripture - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Psilanthropism – is a belief that Jesus was always a man, never a god.  He was only a mere human being.  This is the typical modern liberal viewpoint of modern liberalism.

Sabellianism – AKA Modalism believes there are three ''modes'' or ''aspects'' of the same god instead of being three persons in one.  Instead, God has three modes of operation, and they are exercised one at a time.  This is contradicted by John’s account of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16-17 in which all three persons are present.  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Tritheism – AKA Polytheism is the belief that they are three distinct gods as in Mormonism and Hinduism. The Greek and Roman cultures were accustomed to multiple gods with varying levels, ministries, and missions; so for them, it was natural for a polytheistic interpretation to fit their existing cultural way of thinking. 

Points to Ponder

How many heresies do you recognize creeping into teachings you’ve heard?

How many have exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped
and served the creature rather than the Creator? (Romans 1:25

“Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. Hebrews 13:9

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             December 12, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Inspired by and gleaned from Corey Corrick’s Sunday School Teaching, Nov. 11,2023

Musing – Does God Punish Children for the Sins of Their Fathers?

 Hebraic Musing – Does God Punish Children for the Sins of Their Fathers?

My good friend raised a question.  “Why does God visit the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generations?” which proclaims, or suggests, that a man’s descendants will have to suffer for the iniquity of his father.  And this understanding comes from verse 5 of Commandment #3, AKA “Do not worship idols.”  “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6 NIV   Verse 5 is always the focus of the verses for Commandment #3.  

Does God really punish the children for the sins/iniquities of the fathers “to the third and fourth generation.”?  I admit that always puzzled me, so let’s look more closely at some working definitions of key words:
- Iniquity – Violation of societal laws (the right or duty that mankind is under obligation to do)
- Sin – Violation of God’s law; breaking the law and missing the standard which He has set for us.
- Hate – Biblically - to love less; to dislike someone or something very much; intense or passionate dislike.
- Righteousness – Being right in the eyes of God; Keeping His commandments; Quality of being morally right.

The commandment has to do with idol worship; “hate” means that God is getting less respect than idols.

A child’s life and moral growth is shaped, molded, and influenced by their father, and that influence carries to future generations.  So, fathers need to be careful since the things they do are the examples that will influence future generations.  How often have we heard “Like father, like son” or “The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Does the sin of the father that is repeated by the son become a sin for the son, or is it just a sin of the father?  For the father, yes.  For the son, it depends if the son recognizes it as sin or as a way of life!  Do a man’s descendants have to suffer for the iniquity of their father?  They might have to suffer, but the son(s) have freedom of choice, however their behavior will be influenced by his father’s training or example.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel stresses the individual’s responsibility. “For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” Ezekiel 18:4 NIV  And Ezekiel clarifies the responsibility issue.  “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.  The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.” Ezekiel 18:19-20 NIV

Ultimately, we should learn from this that we are responsible for ourselves and our own sins according to the Lord God’s summary.  “… I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD.  Repent!  Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.  Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.  Why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.  Repent and live!” Ezekiel 18:30-32

SUMMARY - If a father lives a life of sin, he pays the price; and if a father is righteous, he lives; and if a son lives a life of sin, he pays, and if a son is righteous, he lives.  Here is a father’s responsibility.  “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” Proverbs 19:18 NIV  

Points to Ponder

Fathers, is it a sin to not discipline your son?

How many generations are affected by a father’s behavior, or misbehavior?

What responsibility do fathers have to live righteously?

Have you seen idol worship handed down to future generations?   What’s an idol?!?!

Do you know any “sons” who have overcome bad parenting?

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             December 5, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
             “Biblical Marriage”               Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – What does Almighty God want to show us?

 Hebraic Musing – What does Almighty God want to show us?

In the “Lord’s Prayer” we glibly say “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Do we really want “Our Father” to lead us?  Do we really want Him to lay out our lives before us?  If He did, we’d probably rebel because we want to “do it my way”!  That is why our Loving Father God has to lead His children step-by-step. 

The phrase “show you” appears almost 30 times in the Bible.  It starts with God talking to Abram in Genesis 12; and finally in Revelation 21:9 – “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

There is a progressive revelation in the way Our Father “shows us” the Way.  He is continually checking our faith.  When we are obedient to the guidance He has given us, then He can and will lead us into the next step.

Unfortunately, we often ignore His leading because of vagueness or our own sinful desires.  Maybe this is why we are called to have “blind faith” since we do not understand or appreciate Our Father’s plans for us.  ♫ Trust and obey, for there's no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey … ♫

Our Father started His plan to lead His people by speaking to Abram (even before He changed Abram’s name to Abraham). “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NIV

Thus, Our Father’s plan for us began; BUT we independent thinkers want to know as much about the future as possible, so we stop and ask questions like: 

• What is the destination?
• Where will we live?
• What do you want me to do?
• What will be required of me? 
• How long will it be until this happens? 
• How long do we have to stay there?

This reminds me of a song.  ♫ Why worry, when you can pray?  Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.  Don’t be a doubting Thomas, trust wholly in His promise.  Why worry, worry, worry, worry, When you can pray? ♫

Are we willing to be led each day to follow Our Father’s leading the way Abram did, no matter how vague it is?

Maybe our daily prayer needs to be “let me serve you Lord and be a blessing to someone today.”  Are we willing to be led each day to do Our Father’s will instead of our own?  Can we trust Him even though most of His instructions will be vague, but progressive?

Looking back in our own lives, how many steps in our personal Christian growth came about as a result of obedience to His progressive guidance? 

If we want to know what we are to do next, maybe we should sing Matthew 7:7-8 NIV.  
♫ “Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who Asks receives; the one who Seeks finds; and to the one who Knocks, the door will be opened.”

Points to ponder

How many more growth steps does “Our Father” have for us?   Have you asked Him?

What does Our Father want me to do next?

BTW – Notice the acronym in the song – A S K

Missourians have an advantage; they are already in the “Show Me” state!

“… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Matthew 4:24

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   November 28, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s commentary “I will Show you”, October 24, 2023

Musing – How many ways are there to say Thank You on Thursday?

 Hebraic Musing – How many ways are there to say Thank You on Thursday?

Our family’s custom is to pray before the meal; for the Thanksgiving Day meal we ask everyone to share what it is they are thankful for.  Warning – This can take a while!

Here’s some scriptural hints from the NKJV:

·      1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Or ♫ In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you.♫

·      Psalm 95:1-3  “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods.”

·      Psalm 136 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! …….”

·      Colossians 3:17  “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

·      Ephesians 5:20  “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

And if you have difficulty remembering things to be thankful for, sing these two songs:

·      ♫ When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. ♫

·      ♫ Look what the Lord has done.  Look what the Lord has done. He healed my body, He touched my mind.
    He saved me it was just in time.  I'm gonna praise His name. Each day He's just the same.
     Come on and praise Him.   Look what the Lord has done. ♫

However, if you want to acknowledge the biggest blessing of all, sing this:

·      ♫ Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord, for making me whole;
       Thank you Lord, for giving to me  Thy great salvation so rich and free.♫

Points to Ponder

Do you appreciate it when people thank you?   How might Father God feel?

If you want something to be thankful for, just take a deep breath
and say “Thank you Lord for giving me life”

♫ Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One.
    Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.    And now let the weak say, "I am strong". 
      Let the poor say, "I am rich   Because of what the Lord has done for us".  Give thanks! ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             November 21, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
             “Biblical Marriage”               Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – How Does One Respond to a Wedding Invitation?

 Hebraic Musing – How Does One Respond to a Wedding Invitation?

Jesus’ parable (red letters) in Matthew 22:2-14 describes the importance of weddings.  It begins with the King’s preparations and how He deals with guests who refuse to come.  Here’s Jesus’ own words vs by vs in NKJV.

Matt. 22:2  “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,”   God is preparing a wedding feast for His Son, Jesus.  God’s “marriage to His people Israel was well-known from Psalm 45:15-16.   “With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; They shall enter the King's palace.16 Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth.  Jesus is claiming to be this King’s Son.  The sacrament of marriage is a foreshadowing of God’s plan for each of us.

Matt. 22:3  “and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.”    When invitations are extended, they did not include the exact time.  Yehovah’s servants could refer to angels, or it could refer to evangelists, Christians like us who obey Jesus’ command to go into all the world!?!?    But invited guests refused, unheard of in Bible times!  These would be the people in Jesus’ day who loved His miracles, but not all were willing to surrender.  Familiar today?

Matt. 22:4   “Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’   Is the killing of an animal symbolic of Jesus being the Lamb sacrificed for us?

Matt. 22:5  “But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.”  These unbelievers are not interested.  Do we still have those who ignore Jesus’ invitation, or even ignore Our Creator God?   It is impossible to have a marriage or a relationship with God without surrender.

Matt. 22:6  “And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.”  
This refers to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.  Or could it also refer to persecutors today, like Hamas?

Matt. 22:7  “But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”  Could this refer to hell?  Could the “City on fire” be Jerusalem in 70AD?

Matt. 22:8-9  “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. ‘Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’”   Are we His servants?  Is everyone in the world invited?  Are we expected to go into all the world and preach the gospel?

Matt. 22:10  “So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.”  This sounds like “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Matt..16:15   Who is Jesus telling to go?   And to do what?

Matt. 22:11-12  “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. “So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.”  Is Jesus reflecting on an OT prophesy in Zephaniah 1:7-8?  “For the day of the LORD is at hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. And it shall be, In the day of the LORD's sacrifice, That I will punish the princes and the king's children, And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.”   We can also learn from Esther who prepared to meet the king with a full year of beauty treatments.  How could anyone refuse to be properly attired to meet the King of Kings?

Matt. 22:13  “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and  cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”     This is an obvious reference to hell.

Matt. 22:14  “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Points to Ponder

What are we servants called to do about our “unsaved” family, friends and neighbors?

What are we servants called to do about the “unsaved” in our churches?

Does my “Biblical Marriage” book* become even more meaningful?

♫  Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it … That Jesus Christ is born. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             November 14, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Notes – Excerpted from & inspired by Johanna Hocker’s “You are invited”  November 8, 2023
*  My “Biblical Marriage” book is available from Amazon.  Search “Biblical Marriage Yosef”.

Musing – What does the Bible say about how we are to treat “Others”?

 

Hebraic Musing – What does the Bible say about how we are to treat “Others”?

The Bible tells us at least 10 times to “love your neighbor.”  To emphasize that point, the Bible also has well over these 27 New Testament passages (in NIV) that tell us specifically how we are to treat “one another”.

1.      Be at peace with each other. Mark 9:50

2. Wash one another’s feet. John 13:14
3. Love one another. John 13:34
4. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:10
5. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
6. Accept one another, then, just as Messiah accepted you. Romans 15:7
7. Instruct one another. Romans 15:14
8. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Romans 16:16
9. When you come together to eat, wait for each other. 1 Corinthians 11:33
10. If you kept biting and devouring each other, you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15
11. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:26
12. Carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2
13. Be patient, bearing with or another in love. Ephesians 4:2
14. Be kind and compassionate to one another. Ephesians 4:32
15. Forgiving each other. Ephesians 4:32
16. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Ephesians 5:19
17. Submit to one another out of reverence for Messiah. Ephesians 5:21
18. In humility, consider others better than yourself. Philippines 2:3
19. Do not lie to each other. Colossians 3:9
20. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
21. Encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
22. Do not slander one another. Hebrews 10:25
23. Don’t grumble against each other. James 5:9
24. Confess your sins to each other. James 5:16
25. Pray for each other. James 5:16
26. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
27. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10

When preaching about “Others” at my church in California, I mentioned that “There are 7 billion ‘others’.”  My pastor immediately corrected me and said “No, Joe.  There are 7 billion minus one.”

Points to Ponder

Who is your neighbor, Biblically?

How often do we meet someone hurting?  What do they need?
How many kinds of hurts might the “other” person be suffering?

Do all the above “do’s” and “do not’s” come naturally? 
(I “double dog dare” you to score yourself!)

Jesus commanded us to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                             November 7, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Inspired by Johanna Hocker’s “What does the Bible have to say about how we treat others?” 10/18/23

Musing – Bible says the “End Times” are coming, but When?

 Hebraic Musing – Bible says the “End Times” are coming, but When?

What do we know for sure, and what do we NOT know for sure? And what’s a “Maybe”? (NKJV references)

Everyone knows and agrees that there will be a sudden, bodily return of Christ:

·      Matthew 24:44 “...for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

·      John 14:3  “... I will come again and receive you to Myself;”

·      Acts 1:11  “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner ....”
    and 1 Thes.4:16     Heb. 9:28    James 5:8     2 Pet.3:10   1 John 3:2    Rev.22:20    Rev.1:7

Meanwhile we are, and should be, eagerly expecting His return:

·      Titus 2:12-13 “...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior...,”

·      Philip.3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven,...we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

But we do NOT know when:

·      Matthew 24:44 & Luke 12:40  “...for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

·      Matthew 25:13  “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour...”

·      Mark 13:32-33 “...day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, ... you do not know...”

He will come back at any time, but what must happen first?

  Jesus gave us pre-conditions:

·      Gospel preached to all nations – Mark 13:10  “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
    In the 1^st century, that was done!  Or does Jesus mean today’s world?

·      Tribulation – Mark 13:7-8 “For many will come in My name, …But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.” 
& Matt.24:15-22 & Luke 21:20-24     Haven’t we already had false prophets & increasing wars!?!?

·      False Prophets – Mark 13:22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive,”   Have false religions already sprung up?  And deceived many?

·      Signs in the heavens    Luke 21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;” Mark 13:24-25 & Matthew.24:29-30   What are “global warming” and other media headlines about?

  And Paul also provides more pre-conditions:

·      Coming of the “Lawless One” – In 2 Thess. 2:1-10  Are we already seeing a serious increase in lawlessness?

·      Salvation of Israel – Romans 11:12 & 25-26 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, …, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And so all Israel will be saved,”   Is “all Israel” literal, figurative, or all those with the faith of Abraham?

How can we build a confident view of “End Times” considering some of these questions?

1.      Have all or some of the Pre-conditions been met?

2.      Two different returns of Christ.  For His people or with His people?  Who goes first?  Who is left?

3.      Maybe all things have already happened, so Christ can come back anytime!

4.      Unilaterally, Jesus Christ can do as He wills!

Points to Ponder

What action is suggested?   Is “Be Ready” an action?

Do you know anyone who needs Heaven instead of Hell?   What are we supposed to do about it?

What think you?  What’s for sure and what’s “maybe”?

“Surely I am coming quickly.” Revelation 22:20

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 31, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

Note - From teaching by Corey Corrick at Emmanuel Baptist Church on October 1, 2023.