Hebraic Musing – What has Almighty God called you to do?

Over 30 years ago I was challenged to come up with my “Personal Core Purpose” and that launched a study of the “Mission Statements” of highly successful businessmen.  But, as a Christian, my “Personal Core Purpose” had to relate to my service to the Lord and His Kingdom.  There are questions at the end to help you identify your “Personal Core Purpose.”  (When you tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.)

Successful Churches have a “Mission Statement” in their promo literature.  Here’s a few examples:
•  A Church in Michigan                                 “Where the Word is preached and lives are changed.”
•  A Baptist Church in Rogers, AR                 “ELEVATE”
•  Grace Point Church in Bentonville, AR      “Know God”    “Love People”    “Live Sent”
•  Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, AR    “to proclaim the gospel to NW Arkansas  and the World”
       Visually – The big Globe in the lobby identifies the church as the “GoCenter”.
•  New Beginnings Church of Chicago is a nondenominational church, on the South Side of Chicago. -
      "To Turn People from Chicago, America, and World into Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ". 

Ministries are inspired and driven by a stated “Purpose”.  Popular examples:
•  Rick Warren’s best seller,                            “The Purpose Driven Life” 
•  Emerson Eggerichs’                                    “Teach couples about Love and Respect”
•  Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, MO  “Where the Bible Comes Alive”

Our familiar heroes had Purpose, Holy Discontent or Inspirational Dissatisfaction.  Few examples:
•  Moses – in Exodus 2:11-13  “Moses could not stand seeing his people mistreated.   And he took action…”
       Moses hated seeing hostility growing in his own people.  He had to leave; but came back with purpose.
•  Popeye, Olive & Brutus – “When Popeye finally had seen enough harm done to Olive, he would say
       “I can’t stand no more!” He eats spinach; muscles grew and he took action.
•  David, the shepherd boy - heard Goliath trash talking the God of his forefathers and he said
        “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Sam 17:26
•  Nehemiah                            -- Came back to find the walls broken down and neighbors laughing!
•  Martin Luther King             – “I have a dream”
•  Schindler                             -- “I didn’t do enough…”   In the movie – ‘Schindler’s list’
•  God told Paul                      – “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Acts 22:21

Jesus had a “Personal Core Purpose”  -  Luke 4:18
       "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”

Do you want to identify YOUR “Personal Core Purpose”?         How to find it?
  The questions in the Addendum are designed to help identify your “Personal Core Purpose.

Points to Ponder

What has Jesus called you to do?

What do you want your epitaph to read?

“’For I know the plans I have for you…,’ declares the LORD,” Jeremiah 29:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                         February 17, 2026      
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

 

Addendum –
How to find your “Personal Core Purpose”?

 1.. Who have been/are your heroes?
            - What about them was/is heroic?
            - What did you learn from them?
            - In what ways are you heroic?

2. Draw a lifeline that marks your peak experiences; and major disappointments. 
            - Let your mind drift chronologically.    What made these valuable, memorable experiences?

  3. What do you want your epitaph to read?

  4. What is your gift?   Your Passion?
            - What have you always enjoyed doing?       And, what can’t you tolerate?

  5. Create an ideal image of your world; picture key people in your sphere of influence around you.
            - Devise a quote from your friends that describes you.
            - Then place yourself in the center and friends around you.
            - Then devise a quote from each satisfied friend or relationship.

  6. What are you bartering your life for? - _______________

  7. Finish the following sentences
            - I am  _________
            - The thing that has given my life most meaning until now is _________
            - I stand for _________
            - The real source of my inspiration is _________
            - The thing I miss not having gotten out of life thus far is __________

  8. What is your favorite Bible verse?   Examples:
   - Be shepherds of God’s flock…                                         (1 Pet.5:2)
   - As irons sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another       (Pr. 17:7)
   - Dear friends, let us love on another                                  (1 John 4:7)
   - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge            (Hosea 4:6)
   - Go into all the world and ...   __________                        (Mark 16:15)
   - He sent them out two by two and gave them authority...  (Mark 6:7)
   - I urge you to live a life worthy of your calling…             (Eph. 4:1-2)
   - I will make you fishers of men                                          (Mark 1:17)
   - (What’s your favorite Bible verse?  And why?) - __________________________

10. What do I miss not having gotten out of life so far is. ____

       My Personal Core Purpose is _____________________

           When you tell this to a close friend, will they exclaim “Yep, that’s you!”?

(RSVP – Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine).

Musing – What were the Rabbinic teaching methods of the Pharisees?

 Hebraic Musing – What were the Rabbinic teaching methods of the Pharisees?

I find it interesting that the four Gospels are each written mainly in one of the four specific Pharisaical teaching styles or methods.  Let’s look for the prevailing teaching method and or layers of meaning(s) in each of the four Gospels?  Does each Gospel message become more meaningful when we recognize the unique status/relationship of each author? 

Matthew is clearly one of the Apostles and he composed in the derash style which “seeks moral and legal lessons, often through similar occurrences in the text by inquiries that seek and look for the comparisons between word usages.”  Commentaries call this midrash in which we often find moralistic tales in parables derived from rabbinical legal rulings based on Pharisaical teachings.  We see this in Chapter 1 describing the genealogy of Jesus justifying His moral and legal standing.

Mark was a companion of Peter, so his Gospel was the first one written and his writing style is called peshat, a “plain or simple, primary level of interpretation of the words and the context.”  Mark starts by recounting the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with John the Baptist’s ministry foretold by the prophets.  “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” Mark 1:1-3 NIV   We find another example in Mark 14:3-9 tells a simple story of Jesus being anointed by a women with costly perfume and people were being critical.  Jesus is reported as responding in simple direct terms – “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me…” and “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.”

Luke was a physician and traveling companion of Paul, and thus, interested in healings!  A lot of his teachings were based on Paul’s ministry; in fact, the first two chapters in the book of Acts is a sequel to this Gospel which his also addressed to Theophilus!  Luke’s opening verses acknowledge that his goal “to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us” from eyewitnesses.  His Gospel message is written in remez, a “hinting, allegorical and hidden or symbolic language with deeper insights to suggest hints or metaphors.”  We are expected to find deeper meanings which enable a person with sufficient knowledge of scripture and Rabbinic teachings to understand the intended meaning or interpretation.  For example, he starts with the genealogy of Mary back to Adam to introduce the predicted Messiah.  And in Luke 19:10 - “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” and that fulfilled Ezekiel 34:11-12 – “For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.  As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them…”

John was one of the Apostles, in fact, he was young and is referred to as the “beloved disciple.”  His Gospel is distinct and theological and therefore begins with the sod of sod in which we find “esoteric or mystical meanings that reveal hidden truths through inspiration or revelation.“  We see this in the opening verses – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word… without Him nothing was made that was made…. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” excerpts from John 1:1-5.   Another mystery in vs 14 which says “the Word becoming flesh…”    And John speaks of Light that can’t be comprehended, and with the Word dwelling amongst men!  We might call some of his teachings tantalizingly “mysterious”, especially John 3:16 through 21 where Jesus equates good and evil to light and dark. 

Points to Ponder

How does the differing authorships of each Gospel confirm their validity? (Four eye-witnesses!)

When we read each of the Gospels, does it help to identify the differing teaching styles?

Does each of the Gospels minister to different people groups in differing ways?

Thank you, LORD, for four Gospels, each with their own message and perspective.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       February 10, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by “Jesus, the Pharisee Messiah” Chap. 6, by Roy Blizzard III & John Ingle.

 

Also note that the style of the OT is Pardes, a method of biblical interpretation in Judaism, consisting of four distinct layers of meaning.  Pardes is also a cognate of our English word Paradise, Orchard or Garden, a place to glean the fruit of knowledge.

 

 

 

The Pardes writing style refers to a method of biblical interpretation in Judaism, consisting of four distinct layers of meaning:

Peshat (Peshat): The literal or plain meaning of the text, focusing on the straightforward interpretation of the words and context.

Remez (Remez): The allegorical or hidden meaning, where deeper insights are suggested through hints or metaphors.

Derash (Derash): The interpretive layer that seeks moral and legal lessons, often through similar occurrences in the text.

Sod (Sod): The esoteric or mystical meaning, revealing hidden truths through inspiration or revelation.

 

What is the synoptics in the Bible?

AI Overview

In the Bible, "synoptic" refers to the first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) because they present similar accounts of Jesus' life, often in the same sequence and wording, allowing them to be "seen together" (from the Greek synopsis) for comparison, unlike the Gospel of John, which has a different focus and style. The term comes from Greek words meaning "to see together," reflecting their shared perspective and content, with scholars believing Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source. 

Key aspects of Synoptic Gospels: 

• Matthew, Mark, Luke: 

These are the three Synoptic Gospels. 

• Shared Content: 

They cover many of the same stories, events, and parables of Jesus' ministry. 

• Similar Structure: 

The events are often presented in a similar order, making them easy to compare side-by-side. 

• Origin of the Term: 

"Synoptic" comes from Greek synopsis, meaning "seeing together" or "general view". 

• Contrast with John: 

The Gospel of John is distinct, offering a different perspective, timeline, and largely unique material. 

• Literary Relationship: 

Their similarities suggest a literary connection, with most scholars believing Matthew and Luke drew from the Gospel of Mark, which was likely written first. 

Musing – How do we know that Jesus was a Pharisee?

 Hebraic Musing – How do we know that Jesus was a Pharisee?

And how do we know He was not a Sadducee, Essene, or one of the other sects?  Let’s look at the four styles of Pharisaical teachings.  The Pharisees understood their Biblical mandate was to urge parents to teach their children in the ways of YHWH.  “These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,  so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” Deut. 6:1-3 NIV and stressed “on your hearts… talk about… sitting… walking…lying down… getting up… tie symbols, etc.”   And we know Jesus was keeping that basic family-oriented command as He taught and mingled.  This was an educational mandate to ensure righteousness from Pharisees’ leadership.  And Jesus was born into a Pharisee family!

The Pharisees were quite different from the Sadducees in belief and in practice.  The Sadducees accepted only the first five books of the Bible; and they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, angelic beings, Satan/demons, prophecy or a messiah.  The Sadducees only believed that proper observance of Temple Rites can impart righteousness!  Isn’t that like our “Sunday go to meeting Christians”?  Observance of the Temple rites was all they thought they needed to be considered righteous, blameless before God.  They had no afterlife as a reward, so money and political power became their focus in life; and possession of those things was considered evidence of being favored y God.  And the Sadducees had no messianic views or perspective because their only messiah would be a national on because they could not see any possibility of defeating Rome!  Isn’t this like the politicians and others today who claim to be Christians but not doing what Jesus taught?

Pharisees, by contrast, felt observance of the traditions of the fathers to be important.  And thus, they tended to have “fence” laws to avoid breaking the traditions and temple rules.  Mark 7:2 is a classic example – “Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.”

In the first century, Pharisees were the authority on matters of Scripture interpretation and doctrine; Sadducee priests were focused on Temple matters.  Meanwhile, the Pharisees were more eclectic, popular, and more democratic.

Another perspective, in the Sanhedrim, the Sadducees were the aristocratic monarchists; most were political appointees of Rome!  Apostle Paul knew these significant differences and he used them to his advantage in Acts 23:6-7 – “But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!’ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.” And the Commander had to take over!

There are many examples of Jesus correcting the Pharisees around Him, but if we read carefully, we see that He was condemning their actions and not their personage.  It is a very typical Rabbinic style only used by the Pharisees.  Jesus was not concerned about the general teachings of the Pharisees, but only their prioritizing traditions over the priority of Scripture.

Points to Ponder

Jesus quoted nothing from the Sadducees, Essenes or any other group, just the Pharisees!

Was Jesus in favor of Home Schooling?

BTW – In which group was the apostle, Paul?
Acts 23:6 “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee”

The Sadducees did not believe in an afterlife, that is why the Sadducees were “sad you see”. (>:

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       February 3, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by “Jesus, the Pharisee Messiah” Chap. 3, by Blizzard III & John Ingle.

Musing – Is Psalm 104 a Glorious description of Creation?

 Hebraic Musing – Is Psalm 104 a Glorious description of Creation?

We are created beings.  Reciting Psalm 104 verse by verse might be a way for us to appreciate and thank Our LORD, our Creator, for Creating us.  How much care did Our LORD give when He created us?  Let’s appreciate the Thoughtfulness of the God of our Creation as described verse by verse in Psalm 104:   

1   Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. (NIV)

2   He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent

3   and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

4   He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

5   He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

6   You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

7   But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

8   they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.

9   You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

10   He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.

11   They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12   The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

13   He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

14   He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:

15   wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

16   The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

17   There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.

18   The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys.

19   The moon marks off the seasons, (Biblical calendar!) and the sun knows when to go down.

20   You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

21   The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.

22   The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.

23   Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

24   How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25   There is the sea, vast & spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large & small.

26   There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27   These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.

28   When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

29   When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die & return to the dust.

30   When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

31   May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works—

32   he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33   I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

34   May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.

35   But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Points to Ponder

Did Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, think of everything we, His Children, would need?

How Great is Our God?   How Awesome is our God?   How Caring is our God?

Maybe we need to learn to read our Bible more slowly and thoughtfully?!?!

♫ What a mighty God we serve. Angels bow before Him.
       Heaven and earth adore Him. What a mighty God we serve! ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          January 27, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing - Does the Bible require that we “Like” our neighbor?

 Hebraic Musing - Does the Bible require that we “Like” our neighbor?

I know the Bible says we are to Love our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18 and 8 more times in the NT), but does that mean we have to Like them also?  What’s the difference?
 - Love - selfless, sacrificial, unconditional commitment to the well-being of others as a reflection of God's nature.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV   Sounds like Love is based on a desire to provide Care and well-being!

 - Like - To enjoy or approve of something or someone.  To show that you think something is good/agreeable.  Having the same or similar characteristics.  To feel an attraction toward or take pleasure in.  To enjoy.  To choose or prefer.

Can you love somebody or something you don’t like?  Can you like them or love them if they belong to a different political party, or they have life habits we don’t like, or they have hurt you, or they don’t like or respect you and your opinion(s), etc. etc.

On the other hand, maybe we need to try to like them by getting to know them?  Remember the 50’s song from “the King and I”.  “Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me. Getting to know you, Putting it my way, But nicely, You are precisely, My cup of tea.”  This message calls for considerable effort to develop long-term relationship building.

Years ago, we used this “Like/Love” concept in “three steps for effective witnessing.”  It was our modus operandi for successful door-to-door witnessing!
 1. Make a friend                   – Introduce yourself openly, get acquainted, pay them a compliment.
 2. Be a friend                        – Do a “friendly something” for them to earn friendship, respect and likeability!
 3. Bring a friend to Christ   – Now they will listen to you and respect your message and the appeal.

Here’s some hard questions:

-          Is there any unforgiveness or a grudge causing us to not like or love a neighbor, or anyone?

-          How easy was it for Jesus to forgive us for our offenses?

-          Who decided they are unlikable?  What right do I/we have to decide that?  Who created them?

-          If we do not want to witness to them, does that mean we don’t care if they go to hell?

-          Why are we afraid to open a conversation about Jesus with a stranger?  What are we afraid of?

-          Where is your “Mission Field”?

Love demands that we seek the other person’s highest good at my expense.  Do we find it hard to Love somebody if we are not Liking what they are doing?  How are we to distinguish between those forces and keep those perspectives separated?!?!

Points to Ponder

Who is our neighbor?

Do we love our neighbor, or might we just simply like our neighbor?  

Can we really Love our neighbor without Liking them?
or, can we Like our neighbor without really Loving them?
 BTW - How much do we love ourselves?

We know God loves all 7 billion souls on earth equally, but more importantly, do we?

Where is our “Mission Field”?

“… and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                        January 20, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – To whom is the Bible saying “Hear, O Israel”?

 

Hebraic Musing – To whom is the Bible saying “Hear, O Israel”?

The phrase “Hear, O Israel” appears 6 times in the Bible.  Many understand that today’s new spiritual “Israel” is the population of Believers.  If so, how are we believers to understand these six Bible verses?

“Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.” Deuteronomy 5:1 NIV   Do the words “Learn them and be sure to follow them” apply to us today if Israel means “all His people”?    Who are “His” people?

“Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.” Deuteronomy 6:3   Does this mean that if we are careful to obey the Lord, we will be blessed with a promise of wealth?  Interesting prosperity message worth pondering!

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  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.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9  The first part is the infamous "Shema" prayer that the Jews are taught to recite at least 3 times a day.  Could this become our daily prayer also?  Is it just for Jews, or might Christians also adopt this custom?  Try it, you’ll like it.

“Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky.  The people are strong and tall—…”  Deuteronomy 9:1-2   Is the Lord promising to provide us with the strength to stand up against our enemies?  Seems we are to fear the Lord, but not man.   Which definition of “fear” am I referring to?

“Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them.  For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4   Does the Lord have your back today?  Are we to call on Him to fight our battles?

When Jesus was asked which commandments is most important, He answered “The most important one, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31   How well are we abiding by these two commandments that Jesus said are most important?  Who is our neighbor?

In the book of Genesis, God promised Abraham: “To your offspring I will give this land.” Genesis 12:7   Are we believers the offspring of Abraham?   Are we living in the new Spiritual Israel?

And in Genesis 32 Jacob wrestled, or struggled, with God and his name was changed to Israel.

Israel is mentioned 1,726 times in the Bible and Jerusalem 785 times.  The state of Israel, established in 1948, acts as a literal fulfillment of various prophecies.  “Hatikvah” – Israel’s national anthem means “the Hope”.

 Points to ponder

Are we/you the new Israel, a Spiritual Israel?

Should we or might we also recite the “Shema” daily?

Do you and I know enough about the significance of today’s Israel?

What does the God want us to know about “Israel”?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd            January 13, 2026

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