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Understanding the Jewish Tallit: History and Significance

THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH TALLIT (PRAYER SHAWL)

The Torah instructs Jews to attach “fringes to the corners of their garments” (Numbers 15:38). The Jewish tallit, or prayer shawl, is a white rectangular garment worn by devout Jews during morning services on weekdays, the Sabbath, and festivals. Typically made from lamb’s wool, cotton, or silk, a tallit never combines wool and linen, as this mixture is prohibited in the Torah (Leviticus 19:19). Each tallit features special knotted fringes, known as arba kanfot, on its four corners. These fringes, called tzitzit, are tied in a particular way, with each knot holding specific significance.

For years, the stripes on the tallit were black because the source of the blue dye for the thread was unknown. Research later revealed that the blue dye came from the shell of a Mediterranean mussel, the Helix ianthina, which produced a shade known as cerulean purple—a mix between blue and purple. A tzitzit traditionally has 613 knots to symbolize the 613 commandments in Jewish law. The fringes, whether knotted or not, serve as a reminder to follow God’s commandments, as mentioned in Numbers 15:39. Tallit sizes can range from thirty-six by fifty-four inches to seventy-two by ninety-six inches.

A band is sown on the top called the Atarah, or the crown, and often is embroidered in silver Hebrew letters, with a special prayer: “Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space, who enriches our lives with holiness, commanding us to wrap ourselves in the tallit.”

In more Orthodox communities, men wear the tallit while women do not, as it’s considered a man’s garment, and the Torah prohibits women from wearing men’s clothing (see Deuteronomy 22:5). Observant Jews are often buried in their tallit, but with two changes: the neckband is removed, and one corner fringe is cut off to signify that the deceased is no longer bound by Torah obligations.

The hem of Jesus’ garment would have had fringes on it because He would have keep the commandment of Numbers 15:38-40 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them ; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

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The Holy Spirit at Work Before the Day of Pentecost

The moving of the Spirit of the Lord was the key to the defeat of Israel’s enemies. The Holy Spirit manifested during creation as He “moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). He manifests the tangible presence of the Almighty with a personality that can be grieved (see Eph. 4:30) and
blasphemed (see Matt. 12:31).

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit “came upon” people, and in the New Covenant He comes to dwell within believers (see John 14:16). The Holy Spirit “came upon” or “filled” many people over a long period of time prior to the Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2:1-4. Every time the Holy Spirit came upon people an action occurred. This action was often times speaking. Below is a chart about who the Spirit came upon and what the action occurred. This is not an exhausted list of every time the Holy Spirit came upon the people.

WhoScripture Reference
BezalelExodus 31:1-5 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
AholiabExodus 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of  all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
MosesNumbers 11:25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took some of the Spirit who was upon Moses and put Him upon the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied [praising God and declaring His will], but they did not do it again.
The seventy elders of IsraelNumbers 11:25-26 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took some of the Spirit who was upon Moses and put Him upon the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied [praising God and declaring His will], but they did not do it again. But two men had remained in the camp; one named Eldad and the other named Medad. The Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the Tent), and they prophesied in the camp.
BalaamNumbers 24:2 And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him. 
OthnielJudges 3:10 But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord [for help], the Lord raised up a man to rescue the people of Israel, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.  The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, and he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.
GideonJudges 6:34 So the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon [and empowered him]; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together [as a militia] to follow him. 
JephthahJudges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed on to the Ammonites. 
SamsonJudges 14:6 The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Samson) mightily, and he tore the lion apart as one tears apart a young goat, and he had nothing at all in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
Saul1 Samuel 10:9-10 Then it happened when Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. When they came to the hill [Gibeah], behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came on him mightily, and he prophesied [under divine guidance] among them.
David1 Samuel 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
Saul’s messengers1 Samuel 19:20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David; but when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.
Elijah1 Kings 18:46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
The hand or Spirit of the Lord was upon Elijah, and he ran fastest than a chariot.
Elisha2 Kings 2:9-15 And when they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  He said, “You have asked for a difficult thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”  As they continued along and talked, behold, a chariot of fire with horses of fire [appeared suddenly and] separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.  Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” And he no longer saw Elijah. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces [in grief]. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell off him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he too had struck the waters, they divided this way and that, and Elisha crossed over.
Amasai1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the [Holy] Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said,
“We are yours, O David,
And with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace be to you,
And peace be to him who helps you;
For your God helps you.”
Then David accepted and received them and made them officers of his troops.
Azariah2 Chronicles 15:1 Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded,
Jahaziel 2 Chronicles 20:14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Zechariah2 Chronicles 24:20  Then the Spirit of God came over Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people and said to them, “This is what God has said: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned (turned away from) the Lord, He has also abandoned (turned away from) you.’”
All of the Writers of the Old Testament2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
All of the true ProphetsHebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Mary Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
ElizabethLuke 1:41-42 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
ZechariahLuke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, (see Luke 1:68-79)
John the BaptistLuke 1:15-17 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Simeon Luke 2:25-28 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (see Luke 2:29-35)
Anna Luke 2:26-28 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Messiah/ Jesus ChristIsaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and strength,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the [reverential and obedient] fear of the Lord—
Isaiah 42:1 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My Chosen One in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me
To bring good news to the humble and afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted,
To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives
And freedom to prisoners,
Matthew 3:16 After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the [l]Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), 
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah),
Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy),
The DisciplesJohn 20:19-22 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

 Joel prophesied of time when everyone would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

  • Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

That time came on the Day of Pentecost in the upper room. Now everyone can be filled with the Holy Spirit. This occurs when you except Jesus and invite Him into your heart. He is a gentle man. He never comes in uninvited.

  • Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

If you have not experienced some sort of action since you “got saved”, please pray about this. Every time that the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God) came upon the people it was followed by an action. Most of the time that action was speaking, but there was always an action. For those who lived righteously, it was continual thing.

Here is a song that used to be popular about the Spirit of God Moving.

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The Church of Thyatira

The letter to the church of Thyatira is found in Revelation 2:18-29.

Jesus has good and bad things to say about this church.

Jesus says,

  • I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
  • I have a few things against thee,
    • You let that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
    • I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
    • Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
    • I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
  • But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
  • But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
  • he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
  • I will give him the morning star.

This church was being infiltrated by a woman called Jezebel. This woman is named after another famous woman. Remember King Ahab married a woman, Jezebel. By marrying her he was able to seal a trade agreement with the Phoenicians. Thyatira was known as a great center of commerce (place of trading). Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, was able to introduce the abomination of Astarte worship to the Israelites. Here we see history repeating itself. Some in the church were making compromises to get a better position (trade deal) by allowing this woman to teach. Since Thyatira was famous for its magnificent Temple of Artemis (another name for the goddess Diana), it is believed that this Jezebel was a devotee of Diana.

Today we need to make sure we are not allowing compromises to the truth to come into our lives. God did not approve when Israel allowed corruptions to come in. God did not approve when the church of Thyatira allowed the corruption to come in. Look at Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. In light of this verse, it is safe to say that God does not approve today. If you are guilty of compromise, Repent Now!

Understanding the Seven Churches of Revelation

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Exploring Noah’s Descendants and Their Modern Connections

Noah had three sons. From those three sons all of the nations of the world came from. Here is a list of the sons of Noah, where they settled, and some of their descendants.

The Descendants of Japhet

Son’s NameThe Modern Land Area of Nations (People groups)
GomerThe Land of Germany in Europe
MagogDwellers north of the Black Sea
MadaiMedes in the Northwest of Iran
JavanSome of the original Greek tribes
TubalRegions of Spain and Portugal
MeshechRussia, especially regions in and around Georgia
TirasThe Persians and the area of Iran
Son of JaphetGrandsons of Japhet
Gomer1. Ashken
2. Riphath
3. Togarmah
Magog?
Madai?
Javan1. Elishah
2. Tarshish
3. Kittim
4. Dodanim
Tubal?
Meshech?
Tiras?

The Descendants of Ham

Son’s NameModern Land Areas or Nations (People Groups)
CushSouth of Egypt in northern Africa
MizraimAreas of upper and lower Egypt
PhutLibya
CanaanAncient land of Israel and Lebanon
Sons Of HamGrandsons of Ham
Cush1. Seba
2. Havilah
3. Sabtah
4. Raamah (had 2 sons: Sheba and Dedan)
5. Sabtecha
6. Nimrod (lived in babel which is the area of Babylon)
Mizraim1. Ludim
2. Anamim
3. Lehabim
4. Naphtuhim
5. Pathrusim
6. Casluhim (The Philistines descended from him)
7. Caphtorim
Phut?
Canaan (the father of the various groups that the Israelites had to fight to possess the promise land)1. Sidon
2. Heth
3. Jebusite
4. Amorite
5. Girgasite
6. Hivite
7. Arkite
8. Sinite
9. Aradite
10. Zemarite
11. Hamathite

The Descendants of Shem

Sons of ShemModern Land area or Nations (people groups)
ElamConsidered part of Iran
AshurAssyria, which is Syria today
ArphaxadThe banks of the Euphrates, Turkey, and Iraq
LudAncient people living in Iraq
AramThe region of Syria and Lebanon
Sons of ShemGrandsons of Shem
Elam?
Ashur?
Arphaxad1. Salah (the father of Eber)
Lud?
Aram1. Uz
2. Hul
3. Gether
4. Mash

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Unlocking Biblical Prophecies Through History

THE FUTURE IS ENCODED IN THE PAST

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

There is a saying that says: If you don’t learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat it.

Jewish sages observe that history is cyclical, with events repeating in patterns. One approach to predicting future events is to examine a historical event or a chapter in the Bible by reading its order in reverse rather than forward. For example, when reading the list of nations in Genesis 10 from verse 32 back to verse 2, the chapter appears to outline the sequence of prophetic events expected to happen in the future, particularly concerning the nation of Israel.

Please take a look at Exploring Noah’s Descendants and Their Modern Connections. It will help you understand the various connections between the different events.

The earth after the flood

  • Gen. 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
  • The earth was covered with water. Genesis 1:2

The Seth genealogy

  • Gen 10:31 These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
  • The Seth genealogy (Gen. 5:3-8)
    •  And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:
    • And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
    • And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
    • And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
    • And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
    • And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

The land of the east

  • Gen 10:30  And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
  • The land of the east (near Eden) Gen. 11:2
    • And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

Men Listed in the Generations

  • Gen 10:26-29 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
    • There were 13 sons.
  • Thirteen generations from Adam to Eber (Gen 5:3-32 and Gen 10:21-25)
    • Adam – Seth – Enos – Cainan – Mahalaleel – Jard – Enoch – Methuselah – Lamech – Noah – Shem – Arphaxad – Salah – Eber

Beginning of Shem’s family

  • Gen 10:21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
  • Beginning of Israel as a nation. (Gen 12)
    •  Gen. 12:1-2 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

The land of Ham (Egypt)

  • Gen 10:20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
  • Israel leaves Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12)
    • Exodus 12:26-28 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
    • And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Canaan

  • Gen 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Israel enters Canaan land (Joshua chapters 6-7)

The Canaanites

  • Gen 10:15-18 And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth, And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Israel battles the Canaanites. (the book of Judges)
    • Judges 1:2-6 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up; and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

The Philistines

  • Gen 10:13-14 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
  • Israel battles the Philistines. (1 Samuel and 2 Samuel)
    • 1 Samuel 1:1-3 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

Assyria

  • Gen 10:11-12 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
  • Israel taken into Assyrian captivity (1 Kings 11:31-35)
    •  And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
    • (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
    • Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
    • Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
    • But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

Babylon

  • Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • Israel taken captive into Babylon. (the book of Daniel)
    • Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Nimrod King of Babylon

  • Gen 10:7-9 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.
  • Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (Daniel Chapters 1-4)

The four sons of Ham

  • Gen 10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
  • The four kingdoms of bondage (Daniel’s prophecy’s)
    • Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
      • 1st beast
        • Traditionally identified as Babylon
          • The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
      • 2nd beast
        • It is thought to represent the Medes-Persian Empire that overthrew Babylon.
          • And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
      • 3rd beast
        • It is thought to represent the kingdom of Greece. Alexander the Great was the leader of Greece who overthrew the Medes-Persian Empire.
          • After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
          • The four wings are thought to represent the four generals of Alexander the Great that divided the land after Alexander’s death.
            • Daniel 11:3-4 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
GeneralThe Region TakenModern Geographical Area
PtolemyEgypt and northern AfricaEgypt, Libya, and Northern Africa
SeleucusAssyria, Mesopotamia and PersiaLebanon, Syria and Iraq, Iran
LysimachusThrace and Asia MinorTurkey and southern Russia
CassanderGreece and MacedoniaGreece, Bulgaria, and Romania
  • 4th beast
    • Traditionally taught that it is Rome.
      • After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

The isles of the Gentiles

  • Gen 10:5  By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Israel scattered among the Gentiles (Jeremiah 50:17)
    • Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

Four Interesting Geographical locations

  • Gens 10:4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
    •  The Sons of Javan
      • The names here mentioned are evidently geographical. Javan’s sons are well known Greek colonies and settlements or communities. This example will serve to illustrate the composition of the genealogical list.
        • Elishah: Mentioned in Ezekiel 27:7 as a place from which there was a trade in purple. Josephus identified it with the Æolians. Other conjectures have been Hellas, Elis, Sicily, and Carthage. Possibly, it is Alasa, the modern Cyprus.
        • Tarshish: Probably the ancient commercial town of Tartessus, at the mouth of the river Guadalquivir. It is classed with the isles in Psalm 72:10, Isaiah 60:9. Its trade is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:12. On “the ships of Tarshish” in King Solomon’s time, see 1 Kings 10:22; 1 Kings 22:48. There were Greek settlements at Tartessus. Cf. Herodotus, i. 163.
        • Kittim: Usually identified with Cyprus and its inhabitants. The chief town was Κιτίον, the modern Larnaca, and was probably occupied at an early time by Greek-speaking people. The name “Kittim” became transferred from Cyprus to other islands. Cf. Jeremiah 2:10; Ezekiel 27:6.
        • Dodanim: In 1 Chronicles 1:7, Rodanim. The LXX and Sam. agree with 1 Chronicles 1:7; and this reading is generally preferred, Rodanim being identified with the island of Rhodes. In Ezekiel 27:15, “the men of Dedan” similarly appear in LXX as ῥόδιοι, i.e. the Rhodians trafficking with the city of Tyre.

Gomer and Magog

  • Gen 10:2-3 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
  • The war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel Chapters 38-39)

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The Red Heifer Sacrifice Compared to Jesus’ Sacrifice

THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFER
One of the most intriguing symbols of the coming Messiah is the unique sacrifice of a red heifer, as described in Numbers chapter 19. Every detail of this special offering, both in Scripture and Jewish tradition, beautifully illustrates the suffering of the Messiah and the cleansing power of His death to purify the unclean.

First, all other sacrifices were male, and this was a female offering. Second, the color is specific.
The sacrifice of the red heifer, called in Hebrew the Parah Adumah, is perhaps the most unusual of all the required sacrifices. The Scripture emphasizes that the red heifer must be without spot or blemish and must never have worn a yoke. This entire offering is a detailed type and shadow of the future crucifixion of Christ.

  • The offering was a female sacrifice (Num. 19:2)
    • This was significant because it represents the church. Remember that Christ died and redeemed a Bride
      •  Ephesians 5:25-27Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
  • The heifer was without blemish (Num, 19:2)
    • Christ was without blemish
      • 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
  • The heifer was offered (outside) the camp (Num. 19:3)
    • Christ was crucified (outside) the gate.
      • Heb. 13:11-12 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
  • The priest watched while others slew it (Num. 19:3)
    • The priests looked on at the crucifixion.
      • Matthew 27:41-42 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
  • The blood was sprinkled seven times (Num. 19:4)
    • The seven places where Christ shed His blood are:
      • On His head with the crown of thorns.
        • Matthew 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
      • On His back when He was scourged.
        • Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
      • On His left hand where He was crucified.
        • John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
      • On His right hand where He was crucified.
        • John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
      • On His left foot where He was crucified.
        • Luke 24:39-40 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
      • On His right foot where He was crucified.
        • Luke 24:39-40 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
      • On His side after His death.
        • John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
  • The entire offering was burned (Num. 19:5)
    • It is prophesied that Jesus’s body would not see corruption. It also says that his soul will not stay in Hell.
      • Palms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
    • Jesus taught that those in hell was tormented in flame.
      • Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
    • Christ’s body was the final offering.
      • Hebrews 10:8-10 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
  • Scarlet was placed into the fire. (Num. 19.6)
    • A scarlet robe was placed on Christ.
      • Matt. 27:27-28 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
  • Wood was placed into the fire. (Num. 19:6)
    • Christ was crucified on a wooden cross.
      • 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
  • Hyssop was placed into the fire (Num. 19:6).
    • Hyssop was placed to Christ’s lips.
      • John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
  • The ashes were for water of separation (Num. 19.9).
    • Jesus is the Word (click to learn more)
      • John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    • We are washed by the water of the word.
      • Ephesians 5:25-27Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
    • Christ’s blood brings separation from sin.
      • 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
  • The unclean were purified on the third day (Num. 19:12)
    • Christ arose victorious on the third day.
      • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
      • Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

After Christ declared, “It is finished,” the centurion pierced His side, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). This event holds deep significance, as these two elements were essential in the tabernacle (and later the temple) for purification. The blood from the sacrificial brass altar symbolized forgiveness and the removal of sin, while the water from the laver represented the purification or sanctification of the priest. Today, through the blood of Christ, we are both forgiven and sanctified. (See 1 Cor. 6:11 and Eph. 1:7)

Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.


Opinions differ on how many red heifers were sacrificed between the time of Moses and the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. Jewish tradition suggests that nine to twelve red heifers were offered, while the Mishnah Parah (Mishna Parah 3:4) specifically counts eight.

  • Moses as offering the first
  • Ezra offering the second,
  • Simon the just and Yochanan the High Priest offering two each
  • Elichonnai ben Hakka and Hanameel the Egyptian preparing one each

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Understanding Psalm 37:3-4 Trust and Delight in the Lord

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart Psalm 37:3-4

What does it say?

  • It says that we should trust in the Lord, do good and delight our self in the Lord.

What does it mean?

  • God is the provider
  • It means we should trust in the Lord and do good if we do this, he will give us what we need, and if we delight our self in him, he will give us our desires of our heart.

Key Words

  • Shalt
    • Will, Willing
  • Dwell: H7931
    • שָׁכַן shâkan, shaw-kan’; a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to H7901 through the idea of lodging; compare H5531, H7925); to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively):—abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up).
  • Verily: H530
    • אֱמוּנָה ʼĕmûwnâh, em-oo-naw’; or (shortened) אֱמֻנָה ʼĕmunâh; feminine of H529; literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity:—faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
  • Fed: H7462
    • רָעָה râʻâh, raw-aw’; a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend):—× break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.
  • Delight: H6026
    • עָנַג ʻânag, aw-nag’; a primitive root; to be soft or pliable, i.e. (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious:—delicate(-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self.
  • Desire: H4862
    • מִשְׁאָלָה mishʼâlâh, mish-aw-law’; from H7592; a request:—desire, petition.

CONTEXT

AuthorDate Who the audience Purpose
David 100 B.C.IsraelitesTo encourage the Israelites to follow God

Translations

  • Amplified Holy Bible
    • Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Psalm 37 :3-4
  • Holman Holy Bible
    • Trust in the Lord and do good so shall thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desire of thine heart. Psalm 37: 3-4

What going on in the verses?

The before these two verses are explaining to you that you do not need to fret or worry about wrong doers. God in his time will take care of them. In these two verses it is telling you what to do instead. You are supposed to just trust in God and do what is right in his sight.

Cross References

  • Isaiah 58:14
    • Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3
    • As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

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Letting Go of the Past: A Guide to Philippians 3:13-14

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This is often times a difficult passage to understand especially the “forgetting those things which as behind” part. It is not possible to forget completely. I don’t believe that we are meant as human beings to completely forget. However, it is possible to learn from past mistakes.

Many years ago, I was having problems. My mom explained this verse to me. She explained that if you stay focused on the past you can’t reach what is in front of you. Jesus has plans for you. You will never accomplish His plans for you if you stay focused on the past. She used a demonstration to explain this to me. Here is the demonstration:

  • Pretend that 1 spot in your home is the past. (We used the front door.)
  • Pretend that an area in front of that 1st spot is what Jesus wants for you. (We used the living room).
  • Now start at the past. Start walking towards the future.
  • Now look back at the past and try to walk towards the future. (It is not possible.)
  • Now set your eyes where Jesus is (the future) and try to walk towards the future. (It is now possible.)

Remember the time when Jesus walked on the water and Peter asked to come out on the water to Jesus. Matthew 14:28-30 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Notice that as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk towards Jesus, but when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he started sinking. It is the same way with us. We can only go forward to Jesus when we keep our eyes on Jesus and stop worrying about our past (forgetting those things which are behind). This sometimes takes many hours of prayer, but it is more than worth the time in prayer.

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Understanding Jesus as the Light of the World

Then Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk darkness but shall have the light of the life. John 8:12 [KJV]

What does it mean?

When we walk in truth we have the light of God.

What does it say?

True light comes from God.

Key Words

  • Light: Source of light, day light, fire light.
  • Followeth: Go or come after purse to obey, to follow or be a disciple.
  • Darkness: Absent of light or, dark , dimness.

Context

Author:John
Audience: Jews & Gentiles
When:A.D.85
Style: Historical
Purpose: To communicate a deeper understanding of Jesus and his role in salvation.

Translation of the Bible

  1. Amplified Holy Bible
    •  Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “[a]I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” John 8;12
  2. Holman Holy  Bible
    • Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

What going on in the previous verse?

The Woman was caught in adultery.

Related Verses

  • John 1:4
    • In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
  • John 3:19
    • And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil
  • John 9:5
    •  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
  • John 12:35
    • Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
  • John 12: 46
    •  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness

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The Church of Smyrna

The Church of Smyrna

This study comes from Revelation 2:8-11.

Jesus says,

  •  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)
  • I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.
  • Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:
  • be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
  • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
  • He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

There are some words that need to be defined.

  • Jews: Strong’s G2453 – ioudaios
    • Ἰουδαῖος Ioudaîos, ee-oo-dah’-yos; from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:—Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
  • Synagogue: Strong’s G4864 – synagōgē
    • συναγωγή synagōgḗ, soon-ag-o-gay’; from (the reduplicated form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish “synagogue” (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church:—assembly, congregation, synagogue.
  • Satan: Strong’s G4567 – satanas
    • Σατανᾶς Satanâs, sat-an-as’; of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite affix); the accuser, i.e. the devil:—Satan.
  • blasphemy: Strong’s G988 – blasphēmia
    • βλασφημία blasphēmía, blas-fay-me’-ah; from G989; vilification (especially against God):—blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

This passage gives us a couple of lessons:

  1. Remember that when you are being tested, that it is only those who pass the test that receive the crown of life. Be faithful to God even unto death.
    • Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
      • I am fully aware that most don’t see any glory while going through tribulations but remember that from tribulations you learn lessons that give you cause for hope. That doesn’t mean ask for tribulations or patience. It does mean that when we trust God and come through to the over side of the tribulation that you will have a testimony.
  2. Just because the person should be right with God, doesn’t mean that he or she is right with God. In the passage it says that they say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. It has been I problem done through history that people will say that they are one thing and really be something else. Remember Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. There are many wolves in sheep clothing.

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