This is a more personal note that gives a bit of an introduction as to why I planned to resign from my position after 23 years at The Master's University - Israel Bible Extension. Many people have asked me and my wife "What's up?". Let me first say that I am grateful to The Master's University for their interest and investment in the Israel program all these years. I know that God has worked in many peoples' lives through the program. It is sad (but I see God's sovereignty even here) that my intended resignation turned into a nasty termination. I would have preferred a parting of "thanks much and God bless" from both sides but alas, it was not to be. I pray for the ministry of The Master's University and the IBEX program. May the Lord God of Israel bless you! I can assure friends and former students that I have not "rejected our Lord". My faith in God the Father and in His Son the Lord Jesus the Messiah is as strong, yea verily, s...
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Israel's Persistence as a People and Nation
The story is told that the Prussian German King Frederick the Great asked his physician and advisor, "Can you name me a single proof of the existence of God?" The physician replied, "Your majesty, the Jews.” All nations and all kingdoms of men will come to an end. There is only one exception: Israel. Israel also as a nation and people would have come to an end (Isa. 1:9, Psa. 124, Deu. 9:4). They wanted to “become like all nations” and would have, except for God’s promise. God promised that Israel’s persistence as a people and nation would be a witness to all the world that He, Yahweh, is God (Isa. 66:22, Eze. 36:22-23). Israel became like the Canaanites and deserved destruction. But because of God’s plan and promise, because of God’s power – not because of Israel’s goodness or greatness - Israel persists. There was restoration. No other nation has the promise of God for perpetual survival or, more specifically, for restoration like Israel. If or when America, Russia,...
Did Jesus "become sin" for us?
Most English translations of 2 Corinthians 5:21 state that for our sake God made Jesus who “knew no sin to be sin .” A better understanding and translation of this verse is that “for our sake He made him who knew no sin to be a sin offering .” In Hebrew, the word חטאת hatat can be both “sin” and “sin offering”. There are many examples of both uses. The two meanings can be seen in a comparison of, for example, Lev. 4:14 and Psa. 32:5 (sin), to Lev. 4:24 and Ezek. 40:39 (sin offering). The same word is used for both “sin” and “sin offering” because the “sin offering” becomes the symbol or representation of sin. The sin offering becomes the substitutionary means by which the guilt and punishment of the sin is removed. But the animal which was given as a “sin offering” was innocent. The animal didn’t become sin, but became the innocent “sin offering” replacement for the guilty sinner. Jesus didn’t “become sin” on our behalf, but he became the “sin offe...
Galatians 1:1-10 Deliverance from the Present Evil Age
Galatians 1:1-10 Deliverance from the Present Evil Age The death of Jesus was a rescue operation. Jesus the Messiah gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age. Indeed we've seen and experienced the goodness of God in this age, but we also know that evil has penetrated this world. There is deception, unrighteousness, murder, slaughter, pain, and death. The good news is that there is a way out, provided for by the will of God our Father. Paul became a faithfull messenger of this good news. 49 minutes, English and Hebrew
Even Though Rulers Sit and Conspire...
Psalm 119 is an acrostic. Each eight verses begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Every sentence of the 176 verses in the Psalm has a word that relates to the LORD's (YHVH's) Word, terms like statutes, testimonies, laws, word, judgments, precepts, instructions, etc. Psalm 119:17-24 is the third, or "ג" section. The Psalmist knows he is a foreigner on this earth #r<a'_b' ykiänOa' rGEå . He is not a part of the world’s system, and he needs God’s direction. “Judgments” has the sense of decision making, i.e., good judgment. We must know the word of YHVH to get good advice (“they are my counselors”) and make good decisions. Sometimes the world, especially its leaders, are in opposition to the faithful: "even though rulers sit and conspire against me" WrB"+d>nI yBiä ~yrIf'â Wbåv.y") ~G:Ü . When faced with contempt and scorn from unbelievers, the faithful finds comfort and instruction in YHVH’s word. T...
The Need to Remove God from Our Lives
We as individuals and nations are psychologically (or spiritually) motivated to remove the true God from our lives, because the idea of “God” takes away our autonomy. We need to remove God from our lives so that we can do what we want. We can justify our behavior if there is no God, or if we make up a god that lets us do what we want. I want a god who is defined by me, who will serve me, who requires of me what I deem necessary to give him. But there is a cost for rejecting the true God. A very high cost. This is worse than biting the hand that feeds us. This is rejecting not just our feeder, but our Maker and Redeemer. “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you must bear the consequences…’” ( Ezekiel 23:35) .