THE MENORAH PSALM
Psalm 67 Is the Menorah Psalm Psalm 67 has long been associated with the menorah because its literary and numerical structure mirrors the Temple lampstand in several traditional readings. Why it is called the Menorah Psalm Many Jewish sources refer to Psalm 67 as “the Menorah Psalm” or “Menorah Hymn,” since it is often written […]
PATTERNS OF PROPHECY
Reflections on the Papal Role, the Book of Maccabees, and Biblical High Priesthood During my recent visit to the Church of the Shroud in Turin, Italy, where the sacred burial linens of Jesus are entrusted solely to the Pope, I was astonished to see a particular display. Beside the protective case for these linens stood […]
CRY OUT
Exodus 3:7-9 — Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out […]
A QUESTION TURNED INTO AN ACADEMIC PAPER
On the recent trip to Italy that Mary and I took, we visited the city of Turino (Turin) and the Church of the Shroud, where Jesus’s burial linen clothes are kept. To my surprise, right next door is this building below that I took this picture of. It is one places where Spanish Inquisition trials took place. Turino […]
IN A GARDEN
Preface Two days ago I fell on my face. It shook me up. As I layed on the ground in the dark, I prayed. So when I read this verse last night, it caught my attention. I paused and reflected. Matthew 26:39 — And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My […]
SELAH
When I see/hear the Hebrew word “Selah” I think of the Psalms. I think most bible lovers do. But have you ever thought about the word “Selah” itself? When I want to think about something, I write. So here/hear I go. (When I write, I listen to a small voice. I’m all ears.) Selah (סֶלָה) […]
WILL WE ALL BE SPEAKING HEBREW?
Genesis 1.1 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning was the word. The “word” is compromised of letters and numbers since every Hebrew letter represents a number as well. When God spoke with letters he also spoke with numbers. God’s intention is in both. In classic Jewish mystical […]
TRUTH
The Hebrew word for “Truth” is emet (אֱמֶת), which is spelled with “the first the middle and the last” letters of the Hebrew alphabet. אֱ מֶ ת The First the Middle and the Last Briefly speaking, the structure of emet (אמת) can be viewed as three letters representing three aspects: Aleph: The first letter of the alphabet, […]
COVENANTS BEING TESTED
Abraham’s Vision, with smoke and flames passing between animal pieces (Genesis 15:17), John Linnell 1853 In the Torah, there are two covenants that God makes that are not conditional. They are upheld for the sake of God’s great name. Both these covenants are very relevant to today’s world. The First Covenant The first unconditional covenant […]
DOES GOD MAKE MISTAKES?
Genesis 6.5-6 — Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Does God make mistakes? This […]