I haven't posted an entry to this blog in over two years. For those of you who were following it, I apologize. I originally started this blog for my kids so that we could study and discuss the mark of the beast together, but something happened to me in the process of writing it. Have you ever watched a really great movie or read a really amazing book and then someone asks you, "How does it end?" You probably responded something like,"I don't want to tell you the end! You have to read it for yourself! Get to know the characters, the plot and experience it yourself! If I tell you the ending, it will ruin it for you, and it probably won't make sense anyway!" That's just how I feel about this blog.
Revelation is a complicated book with alot of imagery and symbolism. If you haven't read the books of Daniel and Ezekiel in the Old Testament or Tanakh, you're probably going to have a very difficult, if not impossible time understanding the symbolism of Revelation. And if you haven't read the books preceding Daniel and Ezekiel, you won't really understand the purpose of Revelation. And most important, as John states in the very first verse of Revelation: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show HIS SERVANTS..." This book is not for the casual Bible reader or thrill seeker. It's for the SERVANTS of Jesus Christ. If you haven't made that commitment and don't consider yourself a servant of Jesus Christ, then you probably won't understand it or find much comfort in it. Reading it might even cause fear and confusion. If you believe you are a servant of Jesus Christ, then I think one of the manifestations of this servanthood/love/commitment relationship is an inner motivation to read the words written about Him!
Part of the beauty of the Bible is reading how this Divine Love Story unfolds and beginning to understand something of the mystery of our unfathomable God! Hopefully, at some point in your reading and seeking, you will decide to commit your life to Him. I don't want to short cut any one out of this experience! So I encourage you, please, if you want to understand the book of Revelation- read the Bible- starting at Genesis. As you're reading, if you come to questions, email me at kimkincher@gmail.com and we can search for the answers together. God has promised if you search for Him with your whole heart, you will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13) May God bless you as you read and search to know Him and His will for your life.
Rejoicing in the Divine Romance,
Kim
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 6, 2009
#4: The Authenticity and Reliability of the Bible
I have recently received several questions regarding the authenticity of the origin and reliability of the preservation of the Bible. THIS SUBJECT IS OF HUGE IMPORTANCE!!! So, I think we need to address these questions before we go any further. Although the focus of this blog is Revelation 13, I don't know how we can continue this study, with any sense of commitment, if we don't really know we can trust what the Bible has to say.
If the authenticity and reliability of the Bible is honestly a concern of yours and not just an excuse to remain ambivalent, PLEASE take the time and effort to do your OWN research. I will include a few links to online information but don't just take my word for it. I can quote all kinds of facts, but by praying and doing your own research you will be able to come to your own conclusions. PLEASE keep an open mind, pray and take the time to do the research on your own.
The questions I've received so far seem to fall into two main categories:
1. Authenticity of Bible Content. Questions like: "What if the Bible writers just made all this stuff up?"
2. Reliability of Bible Content. Questions like: "What if the words of the original writers have been changed?"
We're not expected to have "blind" faith in the Bible without any evidence. So, let's look at the evidence. Have the original manuscripts been messed with over time? Why wouldn't power hungry religious leaders try to change the documents to fit their own agendas? What about "The Lost Books of the Bible"? What about the scripture that says that the authors of the individual books of the Bible were "carried along by the Holy Spirit"(2 Peter 1:21) while they were writing down direct revelation from God? "Divine Inspiration" sounds too sketchy for most of us to believe!
And I totally agree. It is difficult to believe the Bible is a divinely inspired work and that it contains the same words the original authors wrote so many centuries ago without proof. In some cases, hundreds of years passed between the original writing of the "revelation" and the earliest surviving copy of the author's work. And what about all the cross translations from one language to another?
With all that said, here are a few reasons I have come to believe in the authenticity and reliability of the Bible and hopefully, these reasons will get you started on your own search.
Let's look at evidence for the authenticity and reliability of the Old Testament first:
1. If you question the translation of the Christian version of the Old Testament, then check out an English translation of the Jewish Bible or Tanakh at any library or bookstore. Here is an online version:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tanakh+online&aq=6&oq=tanak&aqi=g10
The Tanakh came many centuries before the Christian version of the Old Testament. It doesn't take a Bible scholar to figure out the Jews would never purposely translate any of their manuscripts to match those of Christian translators. We are talking about two distinctly different religious groups here. It's also important to point out that the Jewish scribes followed painstaking rituals to make sure their holy scrolls were copied perfectly. Here is a link to the history:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0018_0_17895.html
2. The fulfillment of Bible prophesies throughout history have been a major factor in the growth of my belief in the authenticity of the Bible. Here is an interesting link:
http://www.biblesearch.com/answers/bible/biboripres1.htm
3. The historical and archaeological evidence confirming facts stated in the Bible.
http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/
4. The major discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947-1959 provided an amazing chance to "check" the accuracy of the existing OT texts.
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/intro.html
http://www.ou.edu/faculty/organizations/ouchrfas/reed6.htm
5. For me, as a Christian, the most important validation of the authenticity and reliability of the Old Testament scriptures is Jesus Christ-Yeshua Ha'Mashiach obviously believed the first century OT manuscripts were trustworthy records of original, divine inspiration. Jesus studied, read and quoted OT scriptures.
This leads us to the next question: How do we know the New Testament and the words of Christ have been accurately preserved in the Bible we have today?
We will cover this in our next blog.
Until then-
May God bless each one of you,
Kim
If the authenticity and reliability of the Bible is honestly a concern of yours and not just an excuse to remain ambivalent, PLEASE take the time and effort to do your OWN research. I will include a few links to online information but don't just take my word for it. I can quote all kinds of facts, but by praying and doing your own research you will be able to come to your own conclusions. PLEASE keep an open mind, pray and take the time to do the research on your own.
The questions I've received so far seem to fall into two main categories:
1. Authenticity of Bible Content. Questions like: "What if the Bible writers just made all this stuff up?"
2. Reliability of Bible Content. Questions like: "What if the words of the original writers have been changed?"
We're not expected to have "blind" faith in the Bible without any evidence. So, let's look at the evidence. Have the original manuscripts been messed with over time? Why wouldn't power hungry religious leaders try to change the documents to fit their own agendas? What about "The Lost Books of the Bible"? What about the scripture that says that the authors of the individual books of the Bible were "carried along by the Holy Spirit"(2 Peter 1:21) while they were writing down direct revelation from God? "Divine Inspiration" sounds too sketchy for most of us to believe!
And I totally agree. It is difficult to believe the Bible is a divinely inspired work and that it contains the same words the original authors wrote so many centuries ago without proof. In some cases, hundreds of years passed between the original writing of the "revelation" and the earliest surviving copy of the author's work. And what about all the cross translations from one language to another?
With all that said, here are a few reasons I have come to believe in the authenticity and reliability of the Bible and hopefully, these reasons will get you started on your own search.
Let's look at evidence for the authenticity and reliability of the Old Testament first:
1. If you question the translation of the Christian version of the Old Testament, then check out an English translation of the Jewish Bible or Tanakh at any library or bookstore. Here is an online version:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tanakh+online&aq=6&oq=tanak&aqi=g10
The Tanakh came many centuries before the Christian version of the Old Testament. It doesn't take a Bible scholar to figure out the Jews would never purposely translate any of their manuscripts to match those of Christian translators. We are talking about two distinctly different religious groups here. It's also important to point out that the Jewish scribes followed painstaking rituals to make sure their holy scrolls were copied perfectly. Here is a link to the history:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0018_0_17895.html
2. The fulfillment of Bible prophesies throughout history have been a major factor in the growth of my belief in the authenticity of the Bible. Here is an interesting link:
http://www.biblesearch.com/answers/bible/biboripres1.htm
3. The historical and archaeological evidence confirming facts stated in the Bible.
http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/
4. The major discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947-1959 provided an amazing chance to "check" the accuracy of the existing OT texts.
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/intro.html
http://www.ou.edu/faculty/organizations/ouchrfas/reed6.htm
5. For me, as a Christian, the most important validation of the authenticity and reliability of the Old Testament scriptures is Jesus Christ-Yeshua Ha'Mashiach obviously believed the first century OT manuscripts were trustworthy records of original, divine inspiration. Jesus studied, read and quoted OT scriptures.
This leads us to the next question: How do we know the New Testament and the words of Christ have been accurately preserved in the Bible we have today?
We will cover this in our next blog.
Until then-
May God bless each one of you,
Kim
Friday, July 31, 2009
#3: Hebrew Word Analysis
This is a continuation of the Revelation 13 Bible Study some of my kids and I started recently. Please feel free to join us and/or email me at kimkincher@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. If you are in the area and would like this to be an in-home Bible study group, please let me know!
Last time, we looked at several Old Testament (OT) scriptures to get a better understanding of the phrase "mark on the hand and the forehead" found in Revelation 13:16. In these OT scriptures, the Hebrew word used for sign is "oth".
You can find this word using the online lexicon from the last post at: http://biblelexicon.org/ or check out http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html for an online version of Strong's Exhaustive Bible Concordance.
Like I mentioned before, I'm trying to introduce online reference sites and methods for you to use when you study the Bible on your own. I'm also trying to give a slightly different approach to the study of Revelation 13 for those of you who are already familiar with this subject. There are a ZILLION internet entries and blogs on this subject but I'm hoping to add something of interest by emphasizing the Jewish roots of Revelation 13.
OK, so let's go on: The Hebrew word for a "sign" from God is the word "oth". Hebrew was originally a pictographic language that somewhat resembled the block letters used in modern Hebrew today. Hebrew words were formed out of "picture" letters. (The English word "alphabet" was derived from the first two Hebrew letters "aleph" and "bet".) It wasn't until around 500 AD that the Hebrew language began to use vowels. So during the time of the writing of the Old Testament, Hebrew pictographs were used. Because of this, we will look only at the three Hebrew consonants that make up the word "oth". Reading in the Hebrew from RIGHT TO LEFT, the letters are aleph, vav, tav.
The Aleph (ah lef) pictograph was originally a bull's head symbolizing strength, authority, power and meaning the "chief" or "head" or figure of authority. Written alone, this letter speaks of God.
http://www.hebrew4christians.net/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Aleph/aleph.html
The next letter is Vav (vawv). It's pictograph is a nail, chisel or peg. A nail or peg is used to fasten or connect so vav is often translated as the word "and" in a sentence. Vav can also be seen as a symbol of a chisel or a tool that not only fastens but etches or engraves on something.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Vav/vav.html
The last letter is Tav (tawv). It's represented by the pictograph of a cross mark or X. The meaning was to mark, sign, signal or write.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Tav/tav.html
So when we put it all together, what do we get? I would love to read your conclusions so please send them to me at kimkincher@gmail.com .
One source worded it this way: The authoritative figure (represented by the bull’s head as the first letter) takes a nail and scrawls his mark of identity on an object of clay, stone or animal hide to validate his message. His mark bears the weight of his word. His handwriting and signature testify that what is inscribed is guaranteed by the writer’s integrity represented in the marking.
I think studying the original Hebrew naturally brings us to the question: How do we know the Old Testament manuscripts are reliable? And we'll be discussing this in the next post!
God bless,
Kim
Last time, we looked at several Old Testament (OT) scriptures to get a better understanding of the phrase "mark on the hand and the forehead" found in Revelation 13:16. In these OT scriptures, the Hebrew word used for sign is "oth".
You can find this word using the online lexicon from the last post at: http://biblelexicon.org/ or check out http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html for an online version of Strong's Exhaustive Bible Concordance.
Like I mentioned before, I'm trying to introduce online reference sites and methods for you to use when you study the Bible on your own. I'm also trying to give a slightly different approach to the study of Revelation 13 for those of you who are already familiar with this subject. There are a ZILLION internet entries and blogs on this subject but I'm hoping to add something of interest by emphasizing the Jewish roots of Revelation 13.
OK, so let's go on: The Hebrew word for a "sign" from God is the word "oth". Hebrew was originally a pictographic language that somewhat resembled the block letters used in modern Hebrew today. Hebrew words were formed out of "picture" letters. (The English word "alphabet" was derived from the first two Hebrew letters "aleph" and "bet".) It wasn't until around 500 AD that the Hebrew language began to use vowels. So during the time of the writing of the Old Testament, Hebrew pictographs were used. Because of this, we will look only at the three Hebrew consonants that make up the word "oth". Reading in the Hebrew from RIGHT TO LEFT, the letters are aleph, vav, tav.
The Aleph (ah lef) pictograph was originally a bull's head symbolizing strength, authority, power and meaning the "chief" or "head" or figure of authority. Written alone, this letter speaks of God.
http://www.hebrew4christians.net/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Aleph/aleph.html
The next letter is Vav (vawv). It's pictograph is a nail, chisel or peg. A nail or peg is used to fasten or connect so vav is often translated as the word "and" in a sentence. Vav can also be seen as a symbol of a chisel or a tool that not only fastens but etches or engraves on something.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Vav/vav.html
The last letter is Tav (tawv). It's represented by the pictograph of a cross mark or X. The meaning was to mark, sign, signal or write.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Tav/tav.html
So when we put it all together, what do we get? I would love to read your conclusions so please send them to me at kimkincher@gmail.com .
One source worded it this way: The authoritative figure (represented by the bull’s head as the first letter) takes a nail and scrawls his mark of identity on an object of clay, stone or animal hide to validate his message. His mark bears the weight of his word. His handwriting and signature testify that what is inscribed is guaranteed by the writer’s integrity represented in the marking.
I think studying the original Hebrew naturally brings us to the question: How do we know the Old Testament manuscripts are reliable? And we'll be discussing this in the next post!
God bless,
Kim
Saturday, July 11, 2009
#2: Phrase Analysis
I hope Part One got everyone thinking and praying about the subject of the Mark of the Beast. Please email any questions, comments or suggestions to kimkincher@gmail.com . I post comments to the blog for the benefit of all the readers but I will not post your name. You will remain anonymous.
In this post, we're going to do a short study from a Bible Lexicon (dictionary) on the phrase found in Deuteronomy 6:8. Here is a link to my favorite online lexicon:
http://biblelexicon.org/deuteronomy/6-8.htm
One of my MAIN purposes for posting this blog is to introduce various ways to study the Bible ON YOUR OWN. Please don't just read what I have to say and take my word for it! I encourage you all to pray and search these things out for yourself!
When you click on the link above, you will see the breakdown of the verse and the Hebrew meaning of the original text for Deuteronomy 6:8. We are looking at the Hebrew meaning because Hebrew is the original language used when the Old Testament was written.
In this post, we're going to do a short study from a Bible Lexicon (dictionary) on the phrase found in Deuteronomy 6:8. Here is a link to my favorite online lexicon:
http://biblelexicon.org/deuteronomy/6-8.htm
One of my MAIN purposes for posting this blog is to introduce various ways to study the Bible ON YOUR OWN. Please don't just read what I have to say and take my word for it! I encourage you all to pray and search these things out for yourself!
When you click on the link above, you will see the breakdown of the verse and the Hebrew meaning of the original text for Deuteronomy 6:8. We are looking at the Hebrew meaning because Hebrew is the original language used when the Old Testament was written.
You can type the references for the other scriptures into the search box at the top and then click the "lexicon" tab.
What similarities do you see in the phrases mentioned in the verses from the 4 Parshiyot:
Exodus 13:9, Exodus 13:16, Dueteronomy 6:8 and Dueteronomy 11:18?
MY SUGGESTION: Don't let fear get the best of you. (2 Timothy 1:7) Don't make decisions based on emotions and fear. Know God's will for you personally by woshipping Him, praying and seeking His face daily, reading your Bible, studying the Bible with godly people you respect so you don't get carried off into some crazy doctrine!! If you need a Bible, I will be happy to send you one. Just email me your street mailing information to: kimkincher@gmail.com
God bless,
Kim
Monday, July 6, 2009
#1: The 4 Parshiyot
We're just jumping right in to get this study going. I'll give more scriptural and historical background as we go along. PLEASE post questions directly to the blog or email me at kimkincher@gmail.com.
I would encourage everyone to begin with prayer and then read Revelation Chapter 13. We are looking specifically at the phrase "mark on the hand and on the forehead" from Revelation Chapter 13:16.
We're beginning this study with the 4 verses or parshiyot from the Old Testament (OT) that have the phrase "mark on the hand and on the forehead" to get some background on what this "mark" mentioned in Revelation may be. Why go back to the Old Testament? Because all New Testament (NT) prophecy can be substantiated by the Old Testament! We're not expected to just make this stuff up as we go! We will get into this essential concept more as we go along. For example, later we'll be comparing OT scriptures in Daniel with NT scriptures in Revelation.
TRANSLATION OF THE FOUR PARSHIYOT
Exodus 13:1-10
1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2. Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine.3. And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place; there shall no leavened bread be eaten.4. This day came you out in the month Aviv.5. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.6. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.7. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with you, neither shall t here be leaven seen with you in20all your quarters.8. And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.9. And it shall be for a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s Torah may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand has the Lord brought you out of Egypt.10. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
Exodus 13:11-16
11. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and shall give it to you,12. That you shall set apart to the Lord all that opens the matrix, and every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.13. And every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break his neck; and all the firstborn of man among your children shall you redeem.14. And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is this? that you shall say to him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slavery;15. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that opens the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.16. And it shall be for a sign upon your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes; for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4. Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord;5. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.6. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart;7. And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.8. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:13-21
13. And it shall come to pass, if you shall give heed diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul ,14. That I will give yo u the rain of your land in its due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your wine, and your oil.15. And I will send grass in your fields for your cattle, that you may eat and be full.16. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;17. And then the Lord’s anger be kindled against you, and he closed the skies, that there should be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest you perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord gives you.18. Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.19. And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.20. And you shall write them upon the door posts of your house, and upon your gates;21. That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
A literal modern day application of the parshiyot is the tradition of tefillin. Conservative Jews today wear tefillin or phylacteries. These are little boxes they literally tie on their hands and foreheads that contain the 4 specific verses from the OT. They are literally wearing the 4 pashiyot on their hands and foreheads!!
Here is a link to more information about this tradition:
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/471048/jewish/Wrapping-the-Mind-and-Heart.htm
I will post again this week. Please sign up to follow this blog then you can post comments, suggestions or questions.
I really want to encourage everyone to pray, read your Bible, journal, worship God in your heart and honor Him with your life so you will be aware of the "signs of the times".
I would encourage everyone to begin with prayer and then read Revelation Chapter 13. We are looking specifically at the phrase "mark on the hand and on the forehead" from Revelation Chapter 13:16.
We're beginning this study with the 4 verses or parshiyot from the Old Testament (OT) that have the phrase "mark on the hand and on the forehead" to get some background on what this "mark" mentioned in Revelation may be. Why go back to the Old Testament? Because all New Testament (NT) prophecy can be substantiated by the Old Testament! We're not expected to just make this stuff up as we go! We will get into this essential concept more as we go along. For example, later we'll be comparing OT scriptures in Daniel with NT scriptures in Revelation.
TRANSLATION OF THE FOUR PARSHIYOT
Exodus 13:1-10
1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2. Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine.3. And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place; there shall no leavened bread be eaten.4. This day came you out in the month Aviv.5. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.6. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.7. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with you, neither shall t here be leaven seen with you in20all your quarters.8. And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.9. And it shall be for a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s Torah may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand has the Lord brought you out of Egypt.10. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
Exodus 13:11-16
11. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and shall give it to you,12. That you shall set apart to the Lord all that opens the matrix, and every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.13. And every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break his neck; and all the firstborn of man among your children shall you redeem.14. And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is this? that you shall say to him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slavery;15. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that opens the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.16. And it shall be for a sign upon your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes; for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4. Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord;5. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.6. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart;7. And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.8. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:13-21
13. And it shall come to pass, if you shall give heed diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul ,14. That I will give yo u the rain of your land in its due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your wine, and your oil.15. And I will send grass in your fields for your cattle, that you may eat and be full.16. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;17. And then the Lord’s anger be kindled against you, and he closed the skies, that there should be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest you perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord gives you.18. Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.19. And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.20. And you shall write them upon the door posts of your house, and upon your gates;21. That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
A literal modern day application of the parshiyot is the tradition of tefillin. Conservative Jews today wear tefillin or phylacteries. These are little boxes they literally tie on their hands and foreheads that contain the 4 specific verses from the OT. They are literally wearing the 4 pashiyot on their hands and foreheads!!
Here is a link to more information about this tradition:
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/471048/jewish/Wrapping-the-Mind-and-Heart.htm
I will post again this week. Please sign up to follow this blog then you can post comments, suggestions or questions.
I really want to encourage everyone to pray, read your Bible, journal, worship God in your heart and honor Him with your life so you will be aware of the "signs of the times".
God bless,
Kim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
