Fig Tree Ministries Podcast

In today's session, we dive into the intriguing world of Mystical Judaism and explore a unique technique known as Gematria. Gematria is a profound method for exploring the depths of the Hebrew scripture, revealing hidden connections within God's cosmos. Join us as we uncover the mystical significance of Gematria, which harnesses the dynamic nature of the Hebrew alphabet, encompassing letters, numbers, and symbolic meaning. We will focus on the Gospel of John, a profound mystical text where John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God." Discover the profound connection between Jesus' name in Hebrew and the phrase "Lamb of God." Remarkably, these two hold an equal numerical value, showcasing the divine connection between Jesus and His role as the Lamb of God for the entire world. ----------------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Hebrew Alphabet Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/gematria-and-the-lamb-of-god Apple Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Gematria: https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6571-gematria Explore the Name of Jesus: Abarim Publications - an excellent resource to help expand your Biblical studies: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Jesus.html The WORD in Hebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9rbee18M-M

In the Greek language, the word "baptize" takes on a fascinating range of meanings, from a short-term "to dip" to a more extended "to dye" as in coloring clothing. But the truest sense of its meaning lies within the context. Within the New Testament, baptize or baptism can mean to dip (short-term) or to dye, as in clothing (long-term). Within the context of the long-term process of making a disciple, it appears that the 'baptizing' we find in Matthew 28:19 should be interpreted on the longer-term end of the scale. An example of this can be found within Greek literature and has to do with pickling a vegetable. Pickling involves the immersion – baptism- into an agent that permanently changes the vegetable. What was once a cucumber is not a pickle. This is the essence of Baptizing when it comes to making a disciple. The agent of change is the 'reality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.' When we immerse an individual in the long-term process of becoming a disciple, the result is a permanent change that cannot be undone. Join us in this lesson as we explore the profound meaning of the word Baptizing in the context of making a disciple. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/the-great-commission.html Apple Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Greek Participle/Present/Active: https://equip.biblearc.com/course/greek/61248 Present Active Participle in English: https://tinyurl.com/3v8uvpvs Example of Pickling in Greek: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/strongs/G907 Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to make disciples. But what exactly is a disciple? What was Jesus envisioning when He gave us this command? How did discipleship take shape within the unique context of the first-century world in which Jesus lived? In this lesson, we will delve into the essence of discipleship and uncover what it meant to be a disciple within the framework of the first-century Rabbi-disciple model. The answer will likely surprise you. During the first century, individuals typically embarked on their journey as disciples around the age of fifteen. By the age of thirty, they often ascended to the esteemed position of a Rabbi and began making their own disciples. It's worth noting that according to Luke, Jesus commenced His ministry at thirty. Consequently, this would mean that the disciples who walked alongside Him were, in essence, teenagers! This fact may challenge some preconceived notions. Two key factors contribute to the misconception surrounding the age of Jesus' disciples. Firstly, there's a gap in our understanding of the cultural context of the first-century Rabbi-disciple dynamic in Israel during Jesus's time. Secondly, historical art representations have often depicted Jesus and His disciples as aging, balding men in their sixties or seventies—a far cry from reality. Join us on this journey as we explore the significance of making disciples of Jesus and why the first-century Rabbi-disciple model holds the power to profoundly impact God's kingdom and the world. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/understanding-discipleship YouTube: https://youtu.be/U5mc8vd-nSI Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

In this lesson, we'll explore the debate surrounding whether or not Jesus gave us a command to 'Go!' in Matthew 28:19. The disagreement revolves around the translation of the Greek participle Πορευθέντες (poreuthentes), which is usually rendered into English as 'go.' The primary question is whether we should interpret 'go' as an imperative. If so, how much emphasis should we place on it, considering that "make disciples" serves as the main verb and imperative in the verse? Over the years, as missions have gained increasing importance in Western Christian practice, more and more emphasis has been placed on the 'Go' aspect. This has led to many sermon series preached each year, explaining that the Great Commission is to "Go!" To determine how we should interpret Matthew 28:19, we will examine the other six instances where this participle is used throughout the Gospel of Matthew. We'll discover that while the English word 'go' is a suitable translation, we generally don't emphasize the act of going. Instead, we read those verses with the appropriate emphasis on the imperative. A significant aspect of our Christian journey is based on how we conceptualize the Great Commandment. Is it a directive to 'go' and redirect our focus globally, or is it a command to 'make disciples'? Making disciples entails starting with ourselves and helping people from all nations progress along the lifelong path of becoming more like Jesus. By understanding the various uses of this participle within Matthew's Gospel, we will gain profound insights into how it shapes our understanding of the Great Commission. ------------------------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/did-jesus-command-us-to-go YouTube: https://youtu.be/C4m6gVcUV20 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

Welcome to our series on the Great Commission – or should we say, "The Great Omission?" Join us as we explore a fresh perspective on Matthew 28:19-20, a passage that has shaped the mindset and mission of many Christians. Is it possible that we've been misreading this important scripture? Could scholars like Dallas Willard be onto something when they suggest calling it "The Great Omission" instead? In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus doesn't necessarily command us to go; He calls for making disciples. It's a subtle but significant difference, and it's where the challenge lies. In many churches, mission work often centers on the idea of going to various places to spread the Gospel. While this is undoubtedly important, sometimes the emphasis on "go" overshadows the vital aspect of "making disciples." We're here to explore this unintended omission in our approach to the Great Commission. We'll challenge traditional interpretations, reexamine the text, and consider the positive impact a renewed understanding could have on Christianity and the world. Join us as we uncover the heart of the Great Commission and discover how we can live it out in a way that aligns with both the spirit and the letter of Jesus' command. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-great-commission-or-omission YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUu4PPGyTD8 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

Entering the Kingdom of God involves a dynamic, ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, characterized by the consistent acknowledgment of His lordship over our lives. This commitment requires continual repentance to align ourselves with the values and teachings of His kingdom. In doing so, we entrust our past to Jesus, inviting His judgment and grace to free us from the burdens that inhibit the fullness of life. By surrendering our future anxieties and fears to God, we open ourselves to the peace and assurance that only He can provide. This entrance into the Kingdom is not merely a conceptual shift but a transformative, mystical experience. It is a state of perpetual communion with Jesus, where each moment is imbued with a sense of divine union and purpose. Through this mysterious partnership, we navigate the complexities of earthly existence, fueled by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/entering-the-kingdom-of-god YouTube: https://youtu.be/NXUWKSuq0mY Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Mircea Eliade - The Myth of the Eternal Return https://amzn.to/3RL7HM5 Crossan & Reed - In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom - https://amzn.to/3FzaxfV Ethelbert Stauffer - Christ and the Caesars https://amzn.to/3LROog9 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

Today's lesson delves into the relationship between Jesus, the cosmos, and the Myth of the Eternal Return. Ancient religions often perceived the cosmos as an endless cycle. They believed that, periodically, everything must revert to its original chaotic state from the dawn of time, only to be reborn or regenerated. Regrettably, the ancient mind was ensnared by this ceaseless loop. Enter the Old Testament, and subsequently, Jesus and the New Testament. Through the Scriptures, God beckons humanity to break free from this vast cycle and advance towards a brighter future. Within Christianity, the idea of cosmic regeneration shifts focus to the spiritual rebirth of the individual. With this rebirth, an unprecedented freedom emerges. This profound message stood in stark contrast to the dominion of the Caesars in the Roman Empire. Jesus represents the true judge and savior of the cosmos. The alleviation of historical guilt stands as a testament to God's restorative power. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/bible-101-good-news.html YouTube: https://youtu.be/xrm1LaG-7SA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Mircea Eliade - The Myth of the Eternal Return https://amzn.to/3RL7HM5 Ethelbert Stauffer - Christ and the Caesars https://amzn.to/3LROog9 (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

Mark employs a sophisticated literary technique known as Inclusio to unveil the true nature of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and the Son of God. Inclusio functions as a literary framework, where the author strategically places a central concept at the beginning and end of their work, indicating that everything contained within serves to reinforce this central idea. The Gospel of Mark is a piece of apocalyptic literature that illuminates the nature of God's cosmos and Jesus as the Messiah. Mark's Inclusio vividly illustrates the revelatory essence of the work, as it tears open the "heavens" for us to glimpse beyond the confines of our earthly existence. Join us on this journey as we delve into how Mark utilizes this unique literary device to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/V3SdZ2a8ygE Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Reference: NT Wright - The New Testament and the People of God https://amzn.to/3LxcwVa (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

In this lesson, we delve into the profound essence of a Hebrew word often translated as “to bear” or “to bring Good News.” Hebrew, as the foundational language of the Bible and the Israelites, is both dynamic and richly mystical. Those acquainted with Western traditions might find themselves surprised by the depths the Hebrew letters and words can reach. The Rabbis believed that every aspect of the Hebrew Alphabet, along with the words that emerged from it, had a divine origin. Each subtlety in a word, whether in its phonetic similarity to another or its derivation from a root verb, carries profound significance. Such is the case with the Hebrew verb for “to bring the Good News” and the nouns associated with it. Given that all Hebrew nouns stem from a root verb, it's intriguing to see how, at deeper, sometimes mysterious levels, the meanings of two English words, which may appear unrelated, are profoundly interconnected. Exploring these intricate facets of the Hebrew language can steer us towards a deeper comprehension of the kingdom's mysteries. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/mystical-meaning-of-hebrew-good-news www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/yjamiXfkkow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Hebrew Word Reference: Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, https://amzn.to/46cxdxS (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

Luke, the author of the book of Acts, employs a sophisticated literary technique known as Inclusio to illuminate his audience's grasp of his narrative. Inclusio functions akin to bookends, where the author strategically positions a central concept at the outset and conclusion of a composition, signifying that everything enclosed within serves to reinforce this central idea. Within the book of Acts, this Inclusio masterfully directs our attention to the Kingdom of God as the overarching theme of Luke's writing. Join us on an enlightening journey as we delve into this captivating literary device, skillfully woven throughout the pages of the Bible. Explore its intricacies and unveil the profound insights it imparts. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries No Class Handout for this lesson www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/I5ff-B3MGaU Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Tremper Longman III & Peter Enns - Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, & Writings - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Old-Testament-Wisdom-Writings/dp/0830817832/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5DYXHAJ5NVSY&keywords=dictionary+of+the+old+testament+wisdom%2C+poetry+%26+writings&qid=1693690850&sprefix=dictionary+of+the+old+testament+w%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

In the first century, the Imperial Cult had extended its presence even into the land of Israel. King Herod, aiming to honor the Caesar who bestowed upon him his power, constructed three shrines or temples within his realm. In 1998, the exposure of ancient ruins due to a brushfire led to the discovery of the third among these temples in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. In today's lesson, prompted by this newfound archaeological revelation, we delve into the historical occurrences when Jesus asks his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" (Matt. 16:15). Considering the existence of the temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus near Caesarea Philippi, it appears that Jesus intentionally guided his disciples on a journey spanning over 30 miles to impart a lesson about the challenges they would encounter while venturing into the Roman Empire to propagate the Good News of Jesus as the Messiah. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/caesar-cult-in-the-land-of-israel#/ www.figtreeteaching.com Apple Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Omrit, Israel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omrit Craig Evans (2000) - Mark's Incipit and the Priene Calendar Inscription: From Jewish Gospel to Greco-Roman Gospel. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829065710/http://craigaevans.com/Priene%20art.pdf JD Crossan and JL Reed - In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom https://www.amazon.com/Search-Paul-Apostle-Opposed-Kingdom/dp/0060514574/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=616863302838&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013186&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9698310806900404646&hvtargid=kwd-777937745&hydadcr=24658_13611734&keywords=in+search+of+paul&qid=1691592463&sr=8-2 N.T. Wright - How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Getting/dp/0281061467/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687643128&sr=8-1 Ethelbert Stauffer - Christ and the Caesars - https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Caesars-Ethelbert-Stauffer/dp/1556358180/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BY4ZQQVBOR33&keywords=christ+and+the+caesars+stauffer&qid=1692565351&sprefix=christ+and+the+ca%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Jesus-Gospels-IVP-Bible/dp/0830824561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20A1I5S7RIMCB&keywords=dictionary+of+jesus+and+the+gospels&qid=1687643188&sprefix=dictionary+of+jesus%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Dictionary of Paul and His Letters - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Paul-His-Letters-Contemporary/dp/0830817859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5PWS1X5XO943&keywords=dictionary+of+paul+and+his+letters+2nd+edition&qid=1687643216&sprefix=dictionary+of+paul%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

In today's lesson, we will delve into the Roman Imperial Cult and the officially sanctioned worship of Caesar Augustus. As the message of the Kingdom of God, centered around Jesus as Lord, spreads throughout the Roman Empire, it encounters a direct clash with the Roman establishment, where Caesar is regarded as the supreme authority. Both Jesus and the writers of the New Testament possess a keen awareness of the imperial propaganda machinery. They skillfully employ the terminology associated with the imperial cult to directly challenge the assertions made by Caesar. Come and join us on a journey to ancient Priene, where we will investigate an inscription dating back to 9 BC. This inscription portrays Augustus as the "savior" and "god," while also depicting his birth as the "good news for the world." --------------------- Tower of Babel: https://youtu.be/8B8JjGFEvgs Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/good-news-of-caesar-augustus#/ www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/dv2d0lKtKQU Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Priene Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene#:~:text=The%20Priene%20Calendar%20Inscription%20(IK,the%20edict%20from%209%20BC. Craig Evans (2000) - Mark's Incipit and the Priene Calendar Inscription: From Jewish Gospel to Greco-Roman Gospel. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829065710/http://craigaevans.com/Priene%20art.pdf JD Crossan and JL Reed - In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom https://www.amazon.com/Search-Paul-Apostle-Opposed-Kingdom/dp/0060514574/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=616863302838&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013186&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9698310806900404646&hvtargid=kwd-777937745&hydadcr=24658_13611734&keywords=in+search+of+paul&qid=1691592463&sr=8-2 N.T. Wright - How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Getting/dp/0281061467/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687643128&sr=8-1 Ethelbert Stauffer - Christ and the Caesars - https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Caesars-Ethelbert-Stauffer/dp/1556358180/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BY4ZQQVBOR33&keywords=christ+and+the+caesars+stauffer&qid=1692565351&sprefix=christ+and+the+ca%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Jesus-Gospels-IVP-Bible/dp/0830824561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20A1I5S7RIMCB&keywords=dictionary+of+jesus+and+the+gospels&qid=1687643188&sprefix=dictionary+of+jesus%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Dictionary of Paul and His Letters - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Paul-His-Letters-Contemporary/dp/0830817859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5PWS1X5XO943&keywords=dictionary+of+paul+and+his+letters+2nd+edition&qid=1687643216&sprefix=dictionary+of+paul%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

Before anything was documented in writing, how did the disciples and the early church communicate the message of the "Good News"? In today's lesson, we will delve into the book of Acts and examine what biblical scholars consider to be the initial proclamation of the "Good News" concerning God's kingdom reign. Luke, a Greek writer, employed a common literary technique of the first century by incorporating speeches to encapsulate the events and his message succinctly. Within the book of Acts, a total of eight speeches provide insights into the subtleties of the "Good News" message. We will focus on dissecting the first speech by Peter to be delivered to a gentile audience in Acts 10:34-43. This analysis will aid us in comprehending the foundational proclamation that reverberated throughout the Greco-Roman world. The Cross as a Tree of Life - https://youtu.be/fqhcM5SSzs8 Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/original-good-news#/ www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/qp1DE6r_jPo Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: JD Crossand and JL Reed - In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom https://www.amazon.com/Search-Paul-Apostle-Opposed-Kingdom/dp/0060514574/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=616863302838&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013186&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9698310806900404646&hvtargid=kwd-777937745&hydadcr=24658_13611734&keywords=in+search+of+paul&qid=1691592463&sr=8-2 N.T. Wright - How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Getting/dp/0281061467/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687643128&sr=8-1 Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Jesus-Gospels-IVP-Bible/dp/0830824561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20A1I5S7RIMCB&keywords=dictionary+of+jesus+and+the+gospels&qid=1687643188&sprefix=dictionary+of+jesus%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Dictionary of Paul and His Letters - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Paul-His-Letters-Contemporary/dp/0830817859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5PWS1X5XO943&keywords=dictionary+of+paul+and+his+letters+2nd+edition&qid=1687643216&sprefix=dictionary+of+paul%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

Chiastic structures were utilized by Bible authors to effectively communicate their intended messages. These underlying structures not only shape the scriptures but also aid the audience in visualizing important concepts. A prime example of this can be found in the Gospel of Mark, where a chiastic structure introduces the Good News of God's impending reign and highlights Jesus as the anointed Messianic figure destined to become king. These opening verses not only serve as a powerful introduction but also set the tone for the events that unfold throughout the remainder of Mark's Gospel. Chiastic Structure and the Tower of Babel: https://youtu.be/8B8JjGFEvgs Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Apple Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

Welcome to today's lesson, where we delve into the origins of the Hebrew and Greek words associated with the term "Good News." Regardless of whether you identify as a Jew, Roman, or Greek, the concept of the "Good News" holds great significance and bears religious implications. Additionally, we will investigate the meaning of a Targum and its role in shedding light on first-century Jewish perspectives regarding Isaiah 52:7 and the imminent kingdom of God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/background-to-the-good-news#/ www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/H12pGWRCw7E Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: N.T. Wright - How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Getting/dp/0281061467/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687643128&sr=8-1 Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Jesus-Gospels-IVP-Bible/dp/0830824561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20A1I5S7RIMCB&keywords=dictionary+of+jesus+and+the+gospels&qid=1687643188&sprefix=dictionary+of+jesus%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Dictionary of Paul and His Letters - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Paul-His-Letters-Contemporary/dp/0830817859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5PWS1X5XO943&keywords=dictionary+of+paul+and+his+letters+2nd+edition&qid=1687643216&sprefix=dictionary+of+paul%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

What is meant by the term "Good News"? This question is crucial and needs to be addressed by both ourselves and others. The definition of this term varies between scholars and laypeople, but in this case, the scholars' perspective is correct. The Good News refers to the Kingdom of God, where Jesus reigns as Lord. In the first century, this proclamation had real-world implications as it meant that the kingdom of God, under Jesus' lordship, would clash with the kingdom of man, under Caesar's lordship. This question remains relevant today: Who do we consider our Lord? We invite you to join us in exploring this vital topic and understanding how it can profoundly impact our relationship with God, with Jesus as our king. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/good-news-its-not-what-you-think#/ www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/zfkfoXW1DPU Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: N.T. Wright - How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Getting/dp/0281061467/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687643128&sr=8-1 Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Jesus-Gospels-IVP-Bible/dp/0830824561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20A1I5S7RIMCB&keywords=dictionary+of+jesus+and+the+gospels&qid=1687643188&sprefix=dictionary+of+jesus%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Dictionary of Paul and His Letters - https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Paul-His-Letters-Contemporary/dp/0830817859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5PWS1X5XO943&keywords=dictionary+of+paul+and+his+letters+2nd+edition&qid=1687643216&sprefix=dictionary+of+paul%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

This lesson explores the ancient literary technique called a chiastic structure or a chiasm. The biblical authors use literary devices such as the chiastic structure to add depth to the text. The chiastic structure focuses the reader's attention and helps communicate the author's point. We will use the story of the Tower of Babel to help illustrate a chiastic structure. The Tower of Babel story is a masterpiece of literary work much more profound than most expect. The depth comes from the underlying chiastic structure and helps communicate a profound message about the nature of humanity. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/8B8JjGFEvgs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Covenant and Conversation: Genesis https://www.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Genesis-Book-Beginnings/dp/1592640206/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=jonathan+sacks+covenant+and+conversation&qid=1687032541&sprefix=jonathan+sacks+cov%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-5 This next book is much more than most need to know about Chiasms in the ancient world but I did use it as a reference. John W. Welch, Chiasmus in Antiquity https://www.amazon.com/Chiasmus-Antiquity-John-W-Welch/dp/1532682433/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M7RKXB1TS3VP&keywords=chiasmus+in+antiquity&qid=1687032584&sprefix=chiasmus+i%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1

The Hebrew Bible uses a metaphor of marriage for the relationship between God and Israel. God is the faithful and true husband, while Israel is an unfaithful bride. The wedding takes place at Mount Sinai, and marriage language is used throughout by the prophets to emphasize the closeness of this special relationship. Marriage is also a metaphor for redemption. God’s plan of redemption will end with humanity intimately dwelling with the presence of God. In the New Testament, the metaphor of marriage/redemption continues with Jesus as the bridegroom. Marriage/redemption language is used throughout the New Testament to communicate God’s cosmic plan. Join us as we explore this rich metaphor and see how Jesus is the bridegroom we await to take us to be with him. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-our-bridegroom#/ Ancient Near East Covenant Structure Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/ane-covenant-example#/ Concept of Covenant Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/concept-of-covenant-handout#/ "Cutting a Covenant" Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/cutting-a-covenant-handout#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/aTaJk7Z31p8 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1 James Pritchard, The Ancient Near East: an Anthology of Texts and Pictures https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Near-East-Anthology-Pictures/dp/0691147264/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UI44JGCG35R4&keywords=the+ancient+near+east+pritchard&qid=1685308401&sprefix=the+ancient+near+east%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1

Moses acts as a covenant mediator for the brand-new nation of Israel. God uses the ancient Near Eastern Suzerain Vassal covenant structure to communicate this new relationship to his people. When we understand the components of an ancient Near Eastern covenant, we begin to see the underlying structure within the Biblical text. If we don't understand ANE Covenants, we miss the details the Bible communicates to us. Join us for this lesson as we explore the underlying structure of the Mosaic Covenant and how it helps us understand our relationship with God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/mosaic-covenant#/ Ancient Near East Covenant Structure Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/ane-covenant-example#/ Concept of Covenant Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/concept-of-covenant-handout#/ "Cutting a Covenant" Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/cutting-a-covenant-handout#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/A7FCgYYDb58 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: James Pritchard, The Ancient Near East: an Anthology of Texts and Pictures https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Near-East-Anthology-Pictures/dp/0691147264/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UI44JGCG35R4&keywords=the+ancient+near+east+pritchard&qid=1685308401&sprefix=the+ancient+near+east%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1 Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/abrahamic-covenant#/ Concept of Covenant Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/concept-of-covenant-handout#/ "Cutting a Covenant" Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/cutting-a-covenant-handout#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/1CNFvSa5uI8 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: James Pritchard, The Ancient Near East: an Anthology of Texts and Pictures https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Near-East-Anthology-Pictures/dp/0691147264/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UI44JGCG35R4&keywords=the+ancient+near+east+pritchard&qid=1685308401&sprefix=the+ancient+near+east%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1 Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

The message of the Bible is Redemption, and God has a plan to redeem the world. How does God communicate his plan of redemption to his people? He uses straightforward cultural metaphors that everyone understands. The Father's House is the cultural metaphor used to express the plan of redemption. Join us as we explore this wonderful metaphor. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/_Kd09IsB7UA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

The generations following Adam and Eve became wicked, violent, and murderous. God's heart was grieved, and, in His wisdom, He decided to "start over" through Noah and his family. Noah's story is a "de-creation" followed by "re-creation" and a new beginning for humanity. After the flood, God makes a covenant with humanity through Noah as the covenant mediator. His promise to humanity is that He will not destroy the earth again with a flood, and as a sign of the covenant, God sets his "bow" in the clouds. In today's lesson, we will explore the ancient context of the Hebrew word for "bow" and the implications for how we understand this remarkable covenant with humanity. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/noahic-covenant#/ Concept of Covenant Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/concept-of-covenant-handout#/ "Cutting a Covenant" Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/cutting-a-covenant-handout#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZH4HlxnMn2s Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

Join us as we explore the foundational concepts of the Bible - Redemption and Covenant. God has a plan of redemption and he is executing this plan through a series of covenants. Understanding the basics of redemption and covenant will help you read deeper into your Bible! Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/redemption-covenant#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/08r86L9s-fE Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden - https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament/dp/0830825770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SSMDWP1WFBT&keywords=epic+of+eden&qid=1684020465&sprefix=epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1 Lakoff and Johnson - Metaphors We Live By - https://www.amazon.com/Metaphors-We-Live-George-Lakoff/dp/0226468011/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=metaphors+we+live+by+by+george+lakoff&sr=8-1 David Noel Freedman, Editor - The Anchor Bible Dictionary - https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Bible-Dictionary-Set-1-6/dp/038542583X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LQ0SD3WBKLCT&keywords=anchor+bible+dictionary&qid=1684020506&sprefix=Anchor+bible%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

In John 10:22, he tells us that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah - or the Feast of Dedication in English. Hanukkah celebrates a historical event in 165 BCE, led by the Maccabees family, which ultimately won the Israelites their religious and political freedoms. Join us in this lesson as we explore the historical background leading up to this holiday and how the impact of this victory was still inspiring the Zealots – including Paul – in the first century. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-celebrates-hanukkah#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/G3UuTYgmoO8 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: The Jewish Annotated Apocrypha - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-Apocrypha-Jonathan-Klawans/dp/0190262486/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YVVVI7PUNLMX&keywords=jewish+annotated+apocrypha&qid=1682198851&sprefix=Jewish+anno%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1 Rabbi Paul Steinberg, Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays https://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Jewish-Year-Holidays-Hanukkah/dp/0827608497/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1VPPZYPMJS0JU&keywords=celebrating+the+jewish+year&qid=1682198775&sprefix=%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3

Scholars have long recognized that Jesus was not born on December 25th. So when was he born? Does the Bible give us any clues as to the time of year of his birth? The answer is yes! Join us as we explore a trail of clues in the Gospel of Luke that points us to Jesus' birth being in the fall, around the Feast of Tabernacles. Considering the importance that God places on his Appointed Feasts and His plan of redemption, it would only make sense that Jesus, our redeemer, would be born into the world during the feast that celebrates redemption. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-birthday#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/QQxbIAvHj38 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Ethelbert Stauffer, Christ and the Caesars -https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Caesars-Ethelbert-Stauffer/dp/1556358180/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IO5WCSSGOACW&keywords=christ+and+the+caesars&qid=1681587620&sprefix=christ+and+the+caesars%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1

In today's lesson, we look at the final of the seven holidays – the Festival of Tabernacles. This festival is the dress rehearsal for Heaven, and it celebrates the fullness of redemption! And it is the only holiday we are commanded to celebrate with Joy before the LORD. Understanding the Festival of Tabernacles is central to understanding the message of the Gospel of John and how the "word" came to "tabernacle" among us. We also find Jesus attending this dynamic festival in the Gospel of John. It is through understanding the first-century context of Tabernacles that the words and actions of Jesus come alive and enrich our reading of the Biblical text. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-tabernacled-among-us#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/bd7NpCRW2k4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Rabbi Paul Steinberg and Janet Greenstein Potter, (2007). Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Fall Holidays, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, (pg. 121). https://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Jewish-Year-Holidays-Hashanah/dp/082760842X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=celebrating+the+jewish+year&qid=1680461837&sprefix=celebrating+the+jewis%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-2

For humanity to be reconciled with God, sin must be atoned for. God, in his wisdom, provided a ritual in the Day of Atonement ceremony for this exact purpose - to restore the covenantal relationship with his people in service of His plan of redemption. In addition to a ransom - the goat whose blood is sprinkled on the Mercy Seat - there is also a Scapegoat ceremony. The scapegoat ceremony offers a concrete ritual to the nation that the past year's sins have been "taken away" on the head of the goat. Jesus fulfills both the ransom offering and the scapegoat who "takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Join us as we explore this holiday and the amazing significance of Jesus' atoning death (Romans 3:25). Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/day-of-atonement-jesus-the-scapegoat#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/00O7hib6YHA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament - R. Laird Harris, “1023 ,”כָפַ ר ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 452. Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 39b - #5 - https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.39b.5?lang=bi William Holeman Hunt - The Scapegoat (1854) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scapegoat_(painting)

In today's lesson, we explore how the Feast of Trumpets - the first day of the seventh month - became a New Year's celebration - Rosh Hashanah. In the cultures surrounding ancient Israel, the purging of sins from the king, the city, and the people marked their New Year's celebrations. In Babylon, their New Year's festival - called Akitu - even included a scapegoat ceremony to remove the sins from the king. A New Year's ritual is one of rebirth and the renewal of time so humanity can enter the new period of time free of their sins. Join us today as we explore this ancient ritual and see how closely it resembles our modern New Year's practice. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/rosh-ha-shanah-the-renewal-of-time#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/StFjN1egK6A Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y References: Britannica - "Seasonal Renewal in Ancient Mesopotamia" - https://www.britannica.com/topic/feast-religion/The-significance-of-seasonal-renewal-in-ancient-Mesopotamia Lupercalia Festival - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia Februus - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februus#:~:text=Februus%20is%20an%20ancient%20Italic,the%20underworld%20by%20the%20Etruscans. Antagonym: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~cellis/antagonym.html

In Revelation 22:2, John does something profound with his choice of a particular Greek word. Bibles in English all translate this Greek word as "tree," but there is something much deeper happening. If we understand the words used for "tree" throughout the New Testament, then we can see that John is pointing out something unique about this "Tree of Life" that he is seeing in his vision. Join us in this short lesson on how John - by simply changing one Greek word - show us that the Tree of Life is really the Cross! Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/fqhcM5SSzs8 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

Continuing through this series on God's Appointed Feasts, we make a jump over to the Fall festivals. Jesus has fulfilled the first four holidays - the Spring Feasts - and next up on his agenda is the trumpet blast that will announce the return of the king. This trumpet blast is associated with the Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah (we'll cover this in more detail next week). In today's lesson, we explore a few of the details of the holiday that help us understand the words of Jesus concerning his return and Paul as he writes about the "Last" trumpet blast or the "Trumpet Blast" of God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/the-trumpet-blast-of-god#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/IQY4MsJgrsU Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

The Bible never mentions the phrase "the garden of Gethsemane." We tend to treat the word Gethsemane as if it is the name of a city or village that happens to have a garden. But this is not the case! A Gethsemane is not a place - it is a thing! So what is a Gethsemane? Join us for this short lesson to find out. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Blog post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/what-is-a-gethsemane#/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/6w6hXp79Jck

In today's lesson, we explore the Feast of Weeks holiday. The holiday is called Shavuot in Hebrew, and in Greek, Pentecost. This is the holiday we see in Acts chapter two when God delivers the Holy Spirit as a gift from Heaven. What's going on at this event? What does this event tell us about the power of community? We see tonight how in a very concrete act, God is showing us that His presence has moved out of the "Temple" in Jerusalem and now resides wherever there is a group of "living stones" (1 Peter 2:4-5) gathered together in worship. Finally, we explore evidence from the first-century Jewish culture that helps us build a foundation for the background of this event and some of the traditions surrounding the events of God coming down on Mount Sinai. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/acts-2-pentecost#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/Csuqgmmc0E8 Theresa Abell Haynes, "Voices of Fire: Sinai Imagery in Acts 2 and Rabbinic Midrash," published in Scandinavian Jewish Studies https://journal.fi/nj/article/view/102389 Exodus Rabbah 5:9 via Internet Archives - pg. 88-89 https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0003unse/page/88/mode/2up

Jesus heals a blind man with his saliva! What are we supposed to make of this miracle? Why does Jesus use saliva to heal eyes, and what would that first-century audience have thought about his use of spittle? And what would be the message for a Jewish audience? Join us as we explore the cultural context of the first-century to see what others would have thought about healing eyes with spittle. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/a5ZyIRbA-Kg References: Pliny the Elder: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137%3Abook%3D28%3Achapter%3D7 Tacitus: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/Histories/4D*.html Jewish Talmud - Bava Batra 126b: https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Batra.126b.11?lang=bi

Today's lesson explores the "counting of the omer." This is a ritual that happens during the time between Passover and the next major holiday – the festival of Weeks. This holiday is called Shavuot in Hebrew or Pentecost in Greek. The ritual is a 49-day countdown leading you to the Festival of Weeks. In Jewish tradition, Pentecost celebrates God delivering a gift from heaven - the Torah - at Mount Sinai. In Acts 2 - the same holiday - God delivers another gift from heaven in the form of the Holy Spirit. Each year, this celebratory ritual provides the opportunity to prepare ourselves and our communities to receive God's Word and his Holy Spirit once again during the "counting of the omer" that leads up to that holiday. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/the-counting-of-the-omer#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZC_LC0idTE4 References: Rabbi Paul Steinberg - Celebrating the Jewish Year https://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Jewish-Year-3-set/dp/0827609027 Free Resources: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

Today's video continues our exploration of the Passover holiday and takes us into the evening after the Passover meal. According to Exodus 12:42, this evening is a "night for watching," a vigil to be kept by the Israelites for all generations. The events of this night happen at a place called Gethsemane. But does the Bible call it the "Garden of Gethsemane" as we do in our Christian lingo? The short answer is no. Then what is a Gethsemane, and how does it connect to what is happening with Jesus that evening? Join us and be enlightened by learning about a Gethsemane - the place of Jesus' agony. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/gods-appointed-feasts-gethsemane#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/BCXYv75zWYA References: Shalom Ben-Chorin: Brother Jesus https://smile.amazon.com/Brother-Jesus-Nazarene-through-Studies/dp/0820344303/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SJNYLCQPEYDE&keywords=brother+jesus+ben-chorin&qid=1676319256&sprefix=brother+jesus+ben-chorin%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1 Free Resources: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

In today’s lesson, we explore the meal that Jesus had with his disciples – what we refer to as the Last Supper – and see how it compares to the elements found in the traditional Passover celebration meal that today we call a Seder. We’ll also look at a seating chart of the meal and see how knowing the basic seating arrangement in the first century helps us understand some things going on in the Gospels. In particular, we will see the absolutely genius manner in which Jesus interacts with Judas. I believe you will find it most enjoyable once you understand the Passover table and the references from the Old Testament. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/gods-appointed-feasts-last-supper#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/xExlPP_ULG0 References: David Daube, New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism https://smile.amazon.com/New-Testament-Rabbinic-Judaism-Lectures/dp/1610975103/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QFGERTZDLQRA&keywords=new+testament+and+rabbinic+judaism&qid=1675545441&sprefix=new+testament+and+rab%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Free Resources: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

Today's lesson is the second in our series on God's Appointed Feasts – sometimes called God's holidays. Today's lesson focuses on the first of the seven Biblical holidays – Passover. Passover was the central holiday in the collective consciousness of the Jewish people in the first century. This holiday celebrates when God overthrew the Pharaoh and delivered the nation of Israel. Many in Jesus' day longed for God to once again show up on Passover to deliver the Israelites from the oppressive rule of the Roman empire. "God has done it in the past," they said, "and he can certainly do it again!" It is this holiday – the Passover – that Jesus is going to the cross as the Lamb of God – God's Passover lamb. And just like that first Passover lamb from Exodus 12 - those covered in the blood of Jesus will be set free from the tyranny of sin! Jesus IS our Passover Lamb who was sacrificed on our behalf (1 Cor. 5:6-7). Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/gods-appointed-feasts-passover#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/AC1sks5gp2k References: Mark Biltz, God's Day Timer - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Day-Timer-Believers-Appointments-ebook/dp/B01K5OHNSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CBUBQP3QPB9E&keywords=mark+biltz+gods+day+timer&qid=1674936795&sprefix=mark+biltz+%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1 Rabbi Barney Kasdan, God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3KO8YWJC99WRO&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1674312481&sprefix=barney+kasdan%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-3 Free Resources: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

Today's lesson kicks off our upcoming series on God's Appointed Feasts found in Leviticus 23. These holidays are central to Jesus' ministry and God's plan of redeeming the world! In this video, we will briefly introduce the holidays and then look at the concept of redemption! God is redeeming the world. The Bible is a book about redemption. But what does the word redemption mean? Do we have a sufficient enough understanding of this ancient concept that we can begin to see it all over the Bible? Join us today as we introduce God's Appointed Feasts and unpack the concept of redemption. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/gods-appointed-feasts-introduction#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/qcaGb6bJrS0 References: Sandra Richter, The Epic of Eden https://smile.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament-ebook/dp/B0035RP56O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=273RJ6OSVMWXS&keywords=epic+of+eden+sandra+richter&qid=1674312444&sprefix=%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1 Rabbi Barney Kasdan, God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3KO8YWJC99WRO&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1674312481&sprefix=barney+kasdan%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-3 Free Resources: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

The phrase "Daughters of Jerusalem" is a Hebrew idiom. This short video explores this phrase's linguistic and cultural context and what Jesus means when he uses it in Luke 23:28. Judgment is descending on Jerusalem. In 66 AD, the Zealots pushed Israel into a war with Rome. By 70 AD, Jerusalem was under siege, and the villages outside the city walls were destroyed. The words spoken by Jesus as he is on his way to be crucified are prophetic, and concern Jerusalem's coming judgment. Understanding the phrase "Daughters of Jerusalem" helps us understand the overall meaning of what Jesus is saying in Luke 23:28-31.

Understanding God's Appointed Feasts is critical to understanding Jesus, the New Testament, and God's plan of redemption. This is an introductory video to highlight how Jesus is fulfilling God's redemptive plan through action on each of the holidays. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/qH0g5BeplZs References: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/ Rabbi Barney Kasdan - God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AI8HFI0FA6XT&keywords=Gods+appointed+times&qid=1673116786&sprefix=gods+appointed+times%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1 Mark Biltz - God's Day Timer - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Day-Timer-Believers-Appointments-ebook/dp/B01K5OHNSW/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1G8G03V0ZF3EO&keywords=mark+blitz+calendar&qid=1673116839&sprefix=mark+bli%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-6

It's not always easy to understand the messages from the book of Genesis. Since Genesis is presented to us in narrative form, we must do some work to find meaning or principles that we can apply to our lives. Join us in this short lesson as we discover a message on the power of forgiveness and what it takes for a people group to come together as a nation. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/a7hmF60XF_o References: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - Covenant & Conversation: Genesis https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Genesis-Book-Beginnings/dp/1592640206/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23WQ5ACUS8SIF&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+genesis&qid=1672520565&sprefix=covenant+and+coversation+%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

Come join us and learn about the amazing Hebrew word - Midbar - which means wilderness or desert. Fig Tree Five - Small Video. Big Impact. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/uBM2thUKwJE

In today's lesson, we look at the connection between the events in Exodus, where God delivers the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the Acts chapter 2 – Pentecost event – where God delivers the Holy Spirit. To make this connection, we must know about the Biblical holiday system God implements in Exodus and Leviticus. The holiday of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) is not a Christian holiday, and Pentecost is the Greek word used for the holiday of Shavuot - the feast of Weeks - found in Leviticus chapter twenty-three. When we understand the holiday system and the associated symbolism of each holiday, the world of the New Testament opens up in ways that most cannot imagine! God commanded the holidays, and Jesus and the disciples observed the holidays. And most important, Jesus fulfills the holidays! How much more then should we be paying attention to God's canlendar? Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/exodus-and-acts-2-pentecost#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_30_exodus_torah_holy_spirit.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/IrrvPX01ynw References: RBC Ministries - Spring Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ RBC Ministries - Fall Feasts - https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-fall-feasts/

In today's lesson, we use Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) as a tool to review the book of Exodus. The parable of the Ten Bridesmaids is about redemption and reflects the story of Exodus and the common Rabbinic interpretations of Exodus found in the first century. As with Jesus' other parables, we must pay close attention to the symbols and what they represent. Understanding the symbols is the key that unlocks the meaning that not only applies to that first-century context but to our own lives. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/parable-of-the-ten-virgins#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_29_parable_of_virgins.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/4cGBtkHR2Gk References: Josephine Massingberd-Ford: The Parable of the Foolish Scholars https://www.richardmburgess.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/mt_25_Ford_-_Parable_of_the_foolish_scholars.307150034.pdf

In this week's lesson, we look at the Golden Calf incident found in Exodus 32. The sin of idol worship - placing an idol or false god ahead of God - is the most common sin for humanity to commit and the sin that Israel will struggle with throughout the Old Testament. What can we learn about this type of sin? What can we learn about ourselves and why false idols still plague us today? We attempt to answer these questions and more, as well as the Biblical solution to overcoming the inherent suffering we experience in the world. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/the-golden-calf#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_28_golden_calf.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/P7Y2rilRwpw

Exodus 34:6-7 includes three different words for the types of sin God is willing to forgive. The Hebrew language has numerous words that denote different aspects of sin - whereas, in English, we tend to use one word - sin - that covers all violations of God's will. In this lesson, we explore these words for sin and how the Hebrew mind conceptualizes the nature of sin. How does sin interact with a human being, and what are the ramifications often felt beyond the individual that committed them? All of these questions and more are addressed in these two verses. Understanding the underlying Hebrew words - and their implication for the human soul - helps us understand our own walk with God and why we must seek his voice to avoid the many pitfalls that surround us in the world. ---------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post:https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/hebrew-concept-of-sin#/ Class handout (1): https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_27_sin_to_forgive.pdf Class Handout (2) - Definitions: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_gods_attributes_definitions.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/WgzF6DCRMP0 References: Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament - https://smile.amazon.com/Theological-Wordbook-Testament-Laird-Harris/dp/0802486495/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28J72XGYDVP5G&keywords=theological+wordbook+of+the+old+testament&qid=1667677407&sprefix=theological+word%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1 Richter, Sandra - The Epic of Eden - https://smile.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament-ebook/dp/B0035RP56O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OIGVLY91QNVR&keywords=the+epic+of+eden+by+sandra+l.+richter&qid=1667059068&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjAxIiwicXNhIjoiMS40MSIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

In Exodus 34:6-7, God reveals his character to Moses. These two verses are foundational for understanding the nature of the God we follow and the basis for our continued relationship with him. In this lesson, we will see that our English words do not convey the depth of meaning that the original Hebrew words carry. Today's lesson and the next (Exodus pt. 27) will explore these attributes and see how they can give us the confidence to walk forthrightly in the world in our covenant relationship with God through Jesus. ---------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/gods-divine-attributes#/ Class handout (1): https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_26_attributes_of_god.pdf Class Handout (2) - Definitions: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_gods_attributes_definitions.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/utXD0lgWnQQ References: Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament - https://smile.amazon.com/Theological-Wordbook-Testament-Laird-Harris/dp/0802486495/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28J72XGYDVP5G&keywords=theological+wordbook+of+the+old+testament&qid=1667677407&sprefix=theological+word%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1 Richter, Sandra - The Epic of Eden - https://smile.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament-ebook/dp/B0035RP56O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OIGVLY91QNVR&keywords=the+epic+of+eden+by+sandra+l.+richter&qid=1667059068&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjAxIiwicXNhIjoiMS40MSIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

Today's lesson examines the concept of an ancient Near Eastern Covenant. In Biblical times covenants were everywhere. God uses the idea of a covenant to help the Israelites understand the type of God he is and the nature of the relationship they are entering. Simply put, God is a god who covenants and wants to covenant with us. But what does that mean? What is the nature of an ancient Covenant that can help us understand our relationship with God? To begin, our Bible is comprised of a series of covenants. From Adam to Noah, Abraham to Moses, to David, and finally, the latest covenant through Jesus. Even though we refer to the two sections of the Bible as "Testaments," they are, in fact, Covenants - the Old Covenant (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David) and the New Covenant (Jesus). When we understand the nature of a covenant relationship and the significance of Jesus' death, we begin to see deeper into our amazing relationship with God. ---------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/covenant-relationship-with-god#/ Class handout (1): https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_25_covenant_relationship.pdf Ancient Near East Covenant: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ane_covenant_with_biblical_passages.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/1tX2ZqJRWSM References: Richter, Sandra - The Epic of Eden - https://smile.amazon.com/Epic-Eden-Christian-Entry-Testament-ebook/dp/B0035RP56O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OIGVLY91QNVR&keywords=the+epic+of+eden+by+sandra+l.+richter&qid=1667059068&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjAxIiwicXNhIjoiMS40MSIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+epic+of+eden%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

In today's lesson, we explore the structure of the final fifteen chapters of Exodus and look at how the concept of creation or re-creation is woven into the narrative. We mentioned in our previous lesson that the final chapters in Exodus are written in a Chiastic structure. A Chiasm – which gets its name from the Greek letter chi – is a method of helping the reader or listener focus their attention on the main idea that the author intends to convey. Tonight, we take a closer look at this chiastic structure and what the author of Exodus intends as the turning point. Within this structure, we find something interesting – creation itself is being revisited. Building the tabernacle is creating a space for the presence of God to dwell with the Israelites. In this sense, it mimics creation as a dwelling place for God's presence and his people. As we follow Exodus to its close, we see a motif of renewal, rebirth, or recreation. God and his people are back together – stepping forthrightly into the future. ---------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/creation-repeated#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_24_creation_revisitied_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/5K0Es1Ex3Wg References: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - Covenant and Conversation: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IL0UUBB4M58L&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+exodus&qid=1665866556&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=covenant+and+conversation+exodus%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1

There is a concept within spirituality known as "Awakening from Above/Awakening from Below." God's revelation comes down from Heaven, but an aspect of our spiritual growth emerges from below. When we implement God's commands and become "doers of the word," a lasting transformation takes place. When we "do," we gain insight. We learn at a deeper level and begin to experience the wisdom behind the command that solidifies our spiritual transformation. This concept is expressed in the book of Exodus through a literary device called a chiasm or a chiastic structure. The structure of the biblical text itself shows us the principle in action as the Israelites are transformed into a community where the presence of God can dwell. ---------------------------------------------- Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/awakening-from-above-below#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_23_awake_above_awake_below.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/8aFRfFZvcU4 References: Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Intro for Christians https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Spirituality-Brief-Introduction-Christians-ebook/dp/B01HT6C3UM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GN2SYP8HIM8N&keywords=jewish+spirituality+lawrence+kushner&qid=1665866487&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=lawrence+kush%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1 Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - Covenant and Conversation: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IL0UUBB4M58L&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+exodus&qid=1665866556&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=covenant+and+conversation+exodus%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1

The section of Exodus that scholars refer to as "The Book of the Covenant" consist of chapters 21-23. Within these chapters are numerous commandments that, contrary to popular belief, do not concern individual holiness. Instead, they focus on structuring a good and just society where the presence of God dwells and humanity flourishes. Additionally, most of these commandments are found within the law codes of other ancient Near East cultures. In today's video, we will explore how the commandments in the Bible are always an improvement on the prevailing laws of Israel's neighbors and how those improvements are always in support of the individual that is made in the Image of God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/book-of-the-covenant-exodus-22#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_22_book_of_covenant.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/WV9jeFKipcA References: Dennis Prager - The Rational Bible: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Rational-Bible-Exodus-Dennis-Prager/dp/1621577724/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3OKQ1TFABAIOE&keywords=dennis+prager+the+rational+bible&qid=1664726597&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjU5IiwicXNhIjoiMy4zNCIsInFzcCI6IjMuNDUifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=dennis+pr%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSFowU0hJWklGSTFYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODA0NjE1MTdNQVFCSVkzMUFEOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTYxNTEyMzRISEFSVkhJM0EwRCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Nahum Sarna - JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YOXI27VYZQV&keywords=jps+torah+commentary+exodus&qid=1664726652&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQ2IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=jps+torah+commentary+e%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

So often, in the modern Western context of Christianity, we view the commandments in the book of Exodus only through the lens of individual salvation and getting into heaven. This is a misreading of the biblical text. The concern of Exodus, and the commandments within, is found in the final two paragraphs of the book, where the presence of God finally dwells within the community. God dwelling with his people – what both the ancient Near Eastern culture and the Bible call redemption – is the ultimate goal of the entire bible. So when we read the commandments in Exodus, it is essential to view them through the lens of building a community or society where the presence of God can dwell. Most of the commandments in Exodus should be read and interpreted at the societal level, NOT the individual level. The concern for the individual is only as far as we all, as individuals, participate in society as a whole and therefore have responsibilities toward society for how we conduct ourselves. Today’s video will review the book of Exodus and then introduce this foundational concept of reading the commandments through the proper lens. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/a-society-for-gods-presence#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_21_review_and_commandments.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/B0f6ng1ExRQ References: Dennis Prager - The Rational Bible: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Rational-Bible-Exodus-Dennis-Prager/dp/1621577724/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3OKQ1TFABAIOE&keywords=dennis+prager+the+rational+bible&qid=1664726597&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjU5IiwicXNhIjoiMy4zNCIsInFzcCI6IjMuNDUifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=dennis+pr%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSFowU0hJWklGSTFYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODA0NjE1MTdNQVFCSVkzMUFEOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTYxNTEyMzRISEFSVkhJM0EwRCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Nahum Sarna - JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YOXI27VYZQV&keywords=jps+torah+commentary+exodus&qid=1664726652&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQ2IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=jps+torah+commentary+e%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

We hope you have enjoyed this series on the Transfiguration of Jesus and that it helps you see deeper into this fantastic event. Today's lesson is the seventh and final in our series on understanding the background to the Transfiguration of Jesus. In this video, we summarize what we discovered during the first six lessons and see if we can't come up with two overarching categories that will help us understand the overall message being communicated. Finally, we will look at a biblical allusion that connects the account at Caesarea Philippi - just prior to the Transfiguration - with Psalm 42 and Psalm 43. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/psalm-42-and-caesarea-philippi#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_7_summary_and_psalm_42.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/2_1D5dHVKrU References: Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - Page 445 https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/444/mode/2up Basser, Herbert W. “The Jewish Roots of the Transfiguration,” Bible Review 14, no. 3 (1998): 30, 32, 34–35. Daniel Boyarin - Logos, a Jewish Word https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy-Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds._The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549 Daniel Boyarin - The Gospel of the Memra https://melc.berkeley.edu/Web_Boyarin/BoyarinArticles/108%20Gospel%20of%20the%20Memra%20(2001).pdf Amy-Jill Levine - The Jewish Annotated New Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-New-Testament/dp/0190461853/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CROOHNZE3QIC&keywords=jewish+annotated+new+testament+2nd+edition&qid=1660412766&sprefix=jewish+ann%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1 Byron Sherwin - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism https://smile.amazon.com/Kabbalah-Introduction-Mysticism-Byron-Sherwin/dp/0742543641/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QTVTY5QIVYUN&keywords=kabbalah+sherwin&qid=1660412524&sprefix=%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1 Eduard Shyfrom - From Infinity to Man https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2EPOULOG7HPCO&keywords=from+infinity+to+man&qid=1660412851&sprefix=from+infi%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2 Lawrence Kushner - Honey From the Rock https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Special-Anniversary-Lawrence-Kushner/dp/1580230733/ref=sr_1_6?crid=GTSDI6SDYJEE&keywords=lawrence+kushner&qid=1660412610&sprefix=lawrence+kushner%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

In today's lesson, we arrive at what I believe to be the foundation of understanding the overall message of the Transfiguration. This foundation is Psalm 42 & 43 and then a subsequent interpretation - called Midrash - of Psalm 43. The number of details shared between the Rabbinic interpretation of Psalm 43 and what we find in the Gospels, and the Transfiguration is simply remarkable. Finally, in this lesson, we will see how a translation issue can help us understands Peter's behavior and his question about putting up tents. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: http://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/midrash-on-psalm-43#/ Class handout: http://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_6_midrash_psalm_43.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ef5scvrkZag References: Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - Page 445 https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/444/mode/2up Basser, Herbert W. “The Jewish Roots of the Transfiguration,” Bible Review 14, no. 3 (1998): 30, 32, 34–35. Daniel Boyarin - Logos, a Jewish Word https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy-Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds._The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549 Daniel Boyarin - The Gospel of the Memra https://melc.berkeley.edu/Web_Boyarin/BoyarinArticles/108%20Gospel%20of%20the%20Memra%20(2001).pdf Amy-Jill Levine - The Jewish Annotated New Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-New-Testament/dp/0190461853/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CROOHNZE3QIC&keywords=jewish+annotated+new+testament+2nd+edition&qid=1660412766&sprefix=jewish+ann%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1 Byron Sherwin - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism https://smile.amazon.com/Kabbalah-Introduction-Mysticism-Byron-Sherwin/dp/0742543641/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QTVTY5QIVYUN&keywords=kabbalah+sherwin&qid=1660412524&sprefix=%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1 Eduard Shyfrom - From Infinity to Man https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2EPOULOG7HPCO&keywords=from+infinity+to+man&qid=1660412851&sprefix=from+infi%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2 Lawrence Kushner - Honey From the Rock https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Special-Anniversary-Lawrence-Kushner/dp/1580230733/ref=sr_1_6?crid=GTSDI6SDYJEE&keywords=lawrence+kushner&qid=1660412610&sprefix=lawrence+kushner%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

In today’s lesson, we explore the literary progression found in the Gospel of Mark that concerns “seeing” and “hearing” as the disciples ascend on their journey toward the Transfiguration. The rabbis taught that the kingdom of God comes through “seeing” and “hearing.” Through the prophet Isaiah, God chastises Israel for having “eyes” but not being able to see and having “ears” but the inability to hear. This is the same question Jesus is going to ask the disciples after the Feeding of the 4000 (Mark 8:18). The progression in Mark shows us the opening of ears and eyes that prepares the disciples for the Transfiguration event. At the Transfiguration event, the disciple’s eyes and ears are opened, allowing them to see into the mystical and observe Jesus' true nature. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/eyes-to-see-and-ears-to-hear#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_5_see_and_hear.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/I282Sx0J14E References: Daniel Boyarin - Logos, a Jewish Word https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy-Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds._The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549 Daniel Boyarin - The Gospel of the Memra https://melc.berkeley.edu/Web_Boyarin/BoyarinArticles/108%20Gospel%20of%20the%20Memra%20(2001).pdf Amy-Jill Levine - The Jewish Annotated New Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-New-Testament/dp/0190461853/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CROOHNZE3QIC&keywords=jewish+annotated+new+testament+2nd+edition&qid=1660412766&sprefix=jewish+ann%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1 Byron Sherwin - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism https://smile.amazon.com/Kabbalah-Introduction-Mysticism-Byron-Sherwin/dp/0742543641/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QTVTY5QIVYUN&keywords=kabbalah+sherwin&qid=1660412524&sprefix=%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1 Eduard Shyfrom - From Infinity to Man https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2EPOULOG7HPCO&keywords=from+infinity+to+man&qid=1660412851&sprefix=from+infi%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2 Lawrence Kushner - Honey From the Rock https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Special-Anniversary-Lawrence-Kushner/dp/1580230733/ref=sr_1_6?crid=GTSDI6SDYJEE&keywords=lawrence+kushner&qid=1660412610&sprefix=lawrence+kushner%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/442/mode/2up (Page 442 and 443) - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

In today's video, we explore the Transfiguration through the lens of Mystical Judaism. A concept prevalent in first-century Judaism concerned the existence of a "Heavenly Man" - or, as in Mystical Judaism, the Adam Kadmon - the Original Adam. Humanity is made in the image of God, yet God has no image. The "Heavenly Man" solves this paradox." Join us as we connect Paul's use of the term "Heavenly Man" in 1 Corinthians and other second temple period writings to a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Transfiguration. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/mystical-judaism#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_4_heavenly_man.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/DOisGaIAA4E References: Daniel Boyarin - Logos, a Jewish Word https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy-Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds._The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549 Daniel Boyarin - The Gospel of the Memra https://melc.berkeley.edu/Web_Boyarin/BoyarinArticles/108%20Gospel%20of%20the%20Memra%20(2001).pdf Amy-Jill Levine - The Jewish Annotated New Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-New-Testament/dp/0190461853/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CROOHNZE3QIC&keywords=jewish+annotated+new+testament+2nd+edition&qid=1660412766&sprefix=jewish+ann%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1 Byron Sherwin - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism https://smile.amazon.com/Kabbalah-Introduction-Mysticism-Byron-Sherwin/dp/0742543641/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QTVTY5QIVYUN&keywords=kabbalah+sherwin&qid=1660412524&sprefix=%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1 Eduard Shyfrom - From Infinity to Man https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2EPOULOG7HPCO&keywords=from+infinity+to+man&qid=1660412851&sprefix=from+infi%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2 Lawrence Kushner - Honey From the Rock https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Special-Anniversary-Lawrence-Kushner/dp/1580230733/ref=sr_1_6?crid=GTSDI6SDYJEE&keywords=lawrence+kushner&qid=1660412610&sprefix=lawrence+kushner%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/442/mode/2up (Page 442 and 443) - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

In today's lesson, we continue our series on the Transfiguration by exploring the connection between the First Adam and Jesus, as the Last Adam. This connection takes us back to Eden and the loss of glory that Adam and Eve experienced after their sin. According to Rabbinic writings, when the Messiah comes, he will restore the glory that Adam lost. Moreover, Paul will use this line of Rabbinic theology to encourage us to increase our own reflected glory now that the Messiah - Jesus - has come. Today's lesson not only helps us understand the Transfiguration event but also provides a goal for our personal spiritual growth. As we mature as Christians, we increasingly reflect God's glory into the darkness of the world. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/beings-of-light#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_3_beings_of_light.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/RHAiuMNqYlA References: 1 Enoch 62:15 - https://www.ccel.org/c/charles/otpseudepig/enoch/ENOCH_2.HTM The Jewish Study Bible - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Study-Bible-Second/dp/0199978468/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LEQ0NLFEUL6Z&keywords=the+jewish+study+bible&qid=1657986678&s=books&sprefix=the+jewi%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Apocalypse of Baruch 51:3 - http://wesley.nnu.edu/sermons-essays-books/noncanonical-literature/noncanonical-literature-ot-pseudepigrapha/the-book-of-the-apocalypse-of-baruch-the-son-of-neriah-or-2-baruch/ Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/442/mode/2up (Page 442 and 443) - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

This video is the second in our series on the Transfiguration of Jesus. In today's lesson, we explore how the details of the Transfiguration event bring to mind the stories of Moses on Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus. Jesus, through his actions, and the Gospel writers, through the details they choose to present, pull in the story of Moses on Mount Sinai and the understood meaning to communicate to their first-century audience that Jesus is the Messiah - the last redeemer of Israel. We invite you to join us through this series that will help you build a foundation of understanding that will take you deeper into the biblical text and the reality of Jesus as the Messiah. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/transfiguration-jesus-and-moses#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_transfiguration_week_2_jesus_and_moses.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Apple Podcasts: References: The Jewish Study Bible - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Study-Bible-Second/dp/0199978468/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LEQ0NLFEUL6Z&keywords=the+jewish+study+bible&qid=1657986678&s=books&sprefix=the+jewi%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Apocalypse of Baruch 51:3 - http://wesley.nnu.edu/sermons-essays-books/noncanonical-literature/noncanonical-literature-ot-pseudepigrapha/the-book-of-the-apocalypse-of-baruch-the-son-of-neriah-or-2-baruch/ Great Website for Second Temple Period Writings: www.earlyjewishwritings.com Rabbinic Writings - archive.org (you will need to sign up for a free account) - Midrash on Psalm 43 - https://archive.org/details/midrashonpsalms0000unse/page/442/mode/2up (Page 442 and 443) - Genesis Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/RabbaGenesis/page/n231/mode/2up - Exodus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0002unse - Leviticus Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse/page/384/mode/2up - Numbers Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o7k3 - Deuteronomy Rabbah - https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0000unse_o6q1

The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible. Understanding the overall message of this event requires us to understand the cultural context within which it took place. In this short series, we will explore the cultural context of first-century Israel and how the Transfiguration would have been viewed by its first-century audience. Today's video lays out a spiritual mind-map of the numerous areas that will inform our understanding of the meaning of the Transfiguration. We invite you to join us through this series that will help you build a foundation of understanding that will take you deeper into the biblical text and the reality of Jesus as the Messiah. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/understanding-the-transfiguration#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_understanding_the_transfiguration_week_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/dcTRBkMaTF0 References: The Jewish Study Bible - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Study-Bible-Second/dp/0199978468/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LEQ0NLFEUL6Z&keywords=the+jewish+study+bible&qid=1657986678&s=books&sprefix=the+jewi%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1 John Paul Heil - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Transfiguration-Jesus-Narrative-Function-Dissertationes/dp/8876531440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AZJURDJ2Q3DO&keywords=john+paul+heil+transfiguration&qid=1657986836&s=books&sprefix=john+paul+heil+transfiguration%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1 David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRPTZU2LY7BK&keywords=jewish+new+testament+commentary+by+david+stern&qid=1657987058&s=books&sprefix=david+stern+new+%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1 Rabbinic Writings - archive.org - Midrash on Psalm 43 - Genesis Rabbah - Leviticus Rabbah - Numbers Rabbah

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17) contain tremendous wisdom for how to structure society to bring about God's kingdom. This wisdom is contained within the underlying structure of the order of the commandments and is not always easy to see when doing a surface reading. In today's lesson, we take a deep dive into the biblical structure to see how this ancient wisdom transcends time and still applies to our world today. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/the-wisdom-of-the-ten-commandments#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_20_ten_commandments.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/y1dVchvtCVg References: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks - "Covenant and Conversation: Exodus" - https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_6?crid=I2ZI1PCAJRF&keywords=jonathan+sacks+covenant+and+conversation&qid=1656014640&s=books&sprefix=jonathan+sacks+co%2Cstripbooks%2C132&sr=1-6 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks - "The Structure of the Good Society" https://www.rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/yitro/structure-good-society/

In today's lesson, we explore Wisdom and the importance of striving toward wisdom in our spiritual journey up the mountain of the LORD (Psalm 24:3). Wisdom is a gift from God that gives us insight into the nature of God's cosmos or His will for how we are to live. When we implement wisdom in our lives, we manifest goodness over a long period of time. Since we exist across time, our behavior from moment to moment will eventually become our past and can result in the nagging feeling of regret, embarrassment, or shame. To live wisely is to live with a long-term perspective - God's perspective - that helps us see our actions through a higher spiritual lens. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/wisdom-and-the-mountain-of-the-lord#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_19_mountain_of_god_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/9SzP4fmXI3s References: Near-Death Experiences: "After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond" - Bruce Greyson, M.D. https://smile.amazon.com/After-Doctor-Explores-Near-Death-Experiences-ebook/dp/B08BYDT3KL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37X05XJ0Q3O7X&keywords=after+bruce+greyson%2C+md&qid=1655560458&sprefix=after+bru%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1 L. M. Morales - The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Tabernacle-Pre-Figured-Mountain-Ideology-Genesis/dp/904292702X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QI8P2UQMQCFU&keywords=tabernacle+prefigured&qid=1654308081&s=books&sprefix=tabernacle+pre%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1 N. T. Wright - After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters https://smile.amazon.com/After-You-Believe-Christian-Character/dp/0061730548/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=after+you+believe+by+n.t.+wright&qid=1654308144&s=books&sprefix=after+you+be%2Cstripbooks%2C106&sr=1-1

Psalm 24:3 asks, "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?" Throughout the ancient Near East (ANE), the "Cosmic Mountain" idea was of vital importance within their view of the cosmos. So when the Israelites are taken out of Egypt to meet God on a mountain, they already have a preconceived notion of how God interacts with the world at the peak of a mountain. The theme of ascending the mountain of the LORD exists throughout the biblical text and includes Jesus' transfiguration on the top of a "sacred" mountain (2 Peter 1:18). Ascending the mountain of God is also a metaphor that we can apply to our own lives as we ascend toward God, grow spiritually, and transform to be more and more Christ-like each day. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/ascending-the-mountain-of-god#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_18_mountain_of_god.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/LvoOTHUzQsg References: L. M. Morales - The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Tabernacle-Pre-Figured-Mountain-Ideology-Genesis/dp/904292702X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QI8P2UQMQCFU&keywords=tabernacle+prefigured&qid=1654308081&s=books&sprefix=tabernacle+pre%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1 N. T. Wright - After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters https://smile.amazon.com/After-You-Believe-Christian-Character/dp/0061730548/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=after+you+believe+by+n.t.+wright&qid=1654308144&s=books&sprefix=after+you+be%2Cstripbooks%2C106&sr=1-1

Today's lesson is part two of our previous video, "The LORD My Banner." In our previous lesson, we examined the story of Moses raising his hands on a hill while the Israelites were battling against the Amalekites. Moses builds an altar upon victory and calls it, "The LORD is My Banner." In this week's lesson, we expand the concept of the banner from Exodus through the Bible and up to Jesus. There is a Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 11 that tells us that the Messiah will be a "banner" for the nations of the world. Jesus is our banner! Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-our-banner#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_17_lord_my_banner_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/tuVQMWsVQbc References: John Currid, Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Ancient-Egypt-Testament-John-Currid/dp/0801021375/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EFNJ255T24FT&keywords=ancient+egypt+and+the+old+testament&qid=1652557164&sprefix=ancient+egypt+and+the+old+%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1 Henri Frankfort, Kingship and the Gods https://smile.amazon.com/Kingship-Gods-Religion-Integration-Institute/dp/0226260119/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YFID4J8MU784&keywords=kingship+and+the+gods&qid=1652557202&sprefix=kingship+and+the+gods%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

In today's video, we look at the story from Exodus 17, where the Amalekites attack the Israelites. Moses goes up onto a hill with the "staff of God in his hand." When Moses' hands were up in the air, the Israelites were winning. When his hands lowered, the Israelites lost. After winning the battle, Moses builds an altar and calls it "The LORD is my banner." The context for this story and Moses' comment about the "banner" comes right out of Egypt and the religious use of standards or flags. From this point in the scripture, the concept of a "banner" moves forward up to and including Jesus. Join us for part one this week and part two in two weeks as we explore the LORD as our banner! Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/the-lord-my-banner#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_16_lord_my_banner_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z1dintMnHC4 References: John Currid, Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament https://smile.amazon.com/Ancient-Egypt-Testament-John-Currid/dp/0801021375/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EFNJ255T24FT&keywords=ancient+egypt+and+the+old+testament&qid=1652557164&sprefix=ancient+egypt+and+the+old+%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1 Henri Frankfort, Kingship and the Gods https://smile.amazon.com/Kingship-Gods-Religion-Integration-Institute/dp/0226260119/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YFID4J8MU784&keywords=kingship+and+the+gods&qid=1652557202&sprefix=kingship+and+the+gods%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

Today’s video explores the Hebrew word for wilderness – Midbar. If we take a step back and watch the movement of the Israelites from Egypt out to the wilderness, we see something unique. The Israelites move from a place of order – food, water, shelter – to a place of chaos – no water, no food, no shelter – and must become fully reliant upon God and his provisions. God has a purpose for bringing the Israelites out into the wilderness – it is where we learn to hear his voice. We all go through times of walking through the deserts in life, and they are never enjoyable, but we can learn to understand how they can bring us closer to God and celebrate Him even amid the chaos. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/hearing-god-speak#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_15_hearing_god_speak.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/jPgQZPOM6GE References: Ma'at: https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/maat/ Isfet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isfet_(Egyptian_mythology)

Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/dividing-the-chaotic-waters#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_exodus_study_pt_14_crossing_the_sea.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/ej_fkOEOaGA

Today's video explores the Last Supper as a Passover Seder. The Gospel writers include details about the meal found within traditional Passover Seder celebrations. We can even discern where some of the disciples would have been sitting relative to Jesus that evening by looking closely at these details. Finally, we explore an element of the celebration called the Afikomen. Many scholars believe that the piece of unleavened bread (matzah) that Jesus identifies as his body is, in fact, the Afikomen. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Biblical Holidays Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3FmhIwLmxhEETWUuQi-N6u2 Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-the-afikomen#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_13_afikomen.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/x8Lq3do3wcc References: David Daube The New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism https://smile.amazon.com/New-Testament-Rabbinic-Judaism-Lectures/dp/1610975103/ref=sr_1_1?crid=62CZ9VU02FAH&keywords=david+daube&qid=1650737173&s=books&sprefix=david+dau%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1 Carmichael, Deborah Bleicher. 1991. “David Daube on the Eucharist and the Passover Seder.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 13 (42): 45–67. Our Daily Bread Ministries - The Holidays of God: Spring Feasts https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/ Mark Biltz - God's Day Timer: The Believer's Guide to Divine Appointments https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Day-Timer-Believers-Appointments/dp/194422923X Rabbi Barney Kasdan - God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EDF89M7CX92F&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1649005201&s=books&sprefix=barney+kas%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1

In this week's lesson, we look at the details about the Passover in Exodus chapter 12. We can then compare the details about Jesus that are included in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are nested within the holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. The Gospel writers, in particular, are sure to include seemingly small details that help their audience point back to Exodus 12 and the original Passover Lamb. The New Testament writers see Jesus as God's Passover Lamb that has been offered to redeem the whole world. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Biblical Holidays Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3FmhIwLmxhEETWUuQi-N6u2 Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-gods-passover-lamb#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_12_passover_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/wDZ7hIC4w6A References: Mark Biltz - God's Day Timer: The Believer's Guide to Divine Appointments https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Day-Timer-Believers-Appointments/dp/194422923X Rabbi Barney Kasdan - God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EDF89M7CX92F&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1649005201&s=books&sprefix=barney+kas%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1 Our Daily Bread Ministries - The Holidays of God: Spring Feasts https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/

In this video, we begin short three-part series on Passover. Passover is the most important holiday within the Hebrew Bible and for the nation of Israel. This lesson takes a ten-thousand-foot view of the Passover holiday and how it connects throughout the Old Testament and into the events surrounding Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. We look into the "four expressions of redemption" (Exodus 6:6-7) and how it relates to the Passover meal that Jesus ate with his disciples the night before his death. Understanding the Biblical Holidays (Leviticus 23) and how they relate to Jesus is a goldmine for Christians to help them better understand the Gospels and so much of the New Testament. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Biblical Holidays Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3FmhIwLmxhEETWUuQi-N6u2 Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/passover-introduction#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_11_passover_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Apple Podcasts: References: Rabbi Barney Kasdan - God's Appointed Times - https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Appointed-Times-New-Understanding/dp/1880226359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EDF89M7CX92F&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1649005201&s=books&sprefix=barney+kas%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1 Our Daily Bread Ministries - The Holidays of God: Spring Feasts https://discoveryseries.org/courses/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/

Exodus is not only a book that tells of the redemption of the Israelites, but it is also a book about the spiritual redemption of all humanity. On a spiritual level, Exodus provides a metaphor for a spiritual journey from slavery to the indwelling of God's presence. Exodus communicates this through the ancient near east use of symbols and repetition. In this lesson, we look at two seemingly insignificant details - the donkey in Exodus 4:20 and the concept of a three-day journey - to see how the message of a spiritual journey is communicated. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/three-day-journey#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_10_spiritual_journey.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/mQskQNtxi6E References: Pulse, Jeffrey H. “Ascending to God: The Cosmology of Worship in the Old Testament.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 79, no. 3–4 (July 2015): 221–32.

Did Pharaoh repent? We tend to think about Pharaoh during the Ten Plagues as entirely immovable. We imagine that he is consistent and unemotional in his responses as he rejects Moses' requests to release the Israelites. However, a careful study of the text gives us a different picture. Pharaoh does change along the way! He negotiates with Moses, and his responses loosen up as the plagues' nature increases. In this video, we follow the trajectory of Pharaoh's responses. The language he uses towards the final stages of the plagues is very close to what we would consider repentance. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/did-pharaoh-repent#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_9_did_pharaoh_repent.pdf Pharaoh's Heart Grid: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/did-pharaoh-repent#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/LfERRu5vcEI References: John Currid "Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament" https://smile.amazon.com/Ancient-Egypt-Testament-John-Currid/dp/0801021375/ref=sr_1_2?crid=B4YKDCUL5AOG&keywords=john+currid&qid=1647197536&sprefix=john+curri%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-2 Jonathan Sacks - Times of Israel - The Weighing of the Heart https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-weighing-of-the-heart-vaera-covenant-conversation-5780/ Pierre Gilbert, "Human Free Will and Divine Determinism: Pharaoh, a case study" https://directionjournal.org/30/1/human-free-will-and-divine-determinism.html Jonathan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation Exodus: The Book of Redemption https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1AAXCR735VCQS&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+sacks&qid=1646579708&sprefix=covenant+and+%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-3

The story of Pharaoh's heart has both fascinated and perplexed Biblical scholars over the years. Considering the Biblical emphasis on humanity having free will, the fact that it appears that God is taking away Pharaoh’s free will is difficult for many Christians to accept. Most Christians don't know that not all scholars agree that God "hardened" Pharaoh's heart. Join us in this video as we explore the underlying Hebrew words, along with the context of ancient Egypt's conception of the heart, to see if there is another justifiable way that this story can be read and interpreted. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/did-god-harden-pharaohs-heart#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_8_pharaohs_heart_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Apple Podcasts: References: Pierre Gilbert, "Human Free Will and Divine Determinism: Pharaoh, a case study" https://directionjournal.org/30/1/human-free-will-and-divine-determinism.html Jonathan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation Exodus: The Book of Redemption https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1AAXCR735VCQS&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+sacks&qid=1646579708&sprefix=covenant+and+%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-3

Why did God need Ten Plagues? Indeed, God is powerful enough that he could have delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians with one plague. So why did He insist on Ten? In today's lesson, we explore this question and how it leads us towards understanding the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/why-ten-plagues#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_7_why_ten_plagues.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/V3sQSXU4_ZU References: Nahum Sarna: The JPS Commentary on Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=301VX4VGN1L0T&keywords=sarna+exodus&qid=1643491585&sprefix=sarna+exodus%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2 Mircea Eliade: The Myth of the Eternal Return: Cosmos and History https://smile.amazon.com/Myth-Eternal-Return-Princeton-Bollingen/dp/0691182973/ref=sr_1_3?crid=D0F944LWSVKZ&keywords=mircea+eliade+books&qid=1645377485&s=books&sprefix=mercea%2Cstripbooks%2C158&sr=1-3

In Exodus 3, Moses inquires of God about His name. A name in the ancient world was more than just a referent but gave indications into your essence, nature, and function. God gives Moses a future-oriented but vague answer. In this video, we explore how we can understand God's name - "I will be what I will be" - and how it can impact our walk with Christ today. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/i-am-what-i-am#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_i_am_week_6.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/yH6rRn37OpY References: Nahum Sarna: The JPS Commentary on Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=301VX4VGN1L0T&keywords=sarna+exodus&qid=1643491585&sprefix=sarna+exodus%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2 Mircea Eliade: The Myth of the Eternal Return: Cosmos and History https://smile.amazon.com/Myth-Eternal-Return-Princeton-Bollingen/dp/0691182973/ref=sr_1_3?crid=D0F944LWSVKZ&keywords=mircea+eliade+books&qid=1645377485&s=books&sprefix=mercea%2Cstripbooks%2C158&sr=1-3

Moses is a 'type' of Messiah. There are numerous 'types' throughout the Hebrew bible, including Joseph and David. Moses is chosen for a specific task in God's plan of redemption. In this video, we explore attributes of Moses' character that make him uniquely suited as the redeemer and lawgiver of Israel. Moses is the first redeemer, and Jesus is the final redeemer. Throughout the New Testament, the actions of Jesus and the presentation of the Gospel by the writers reflect those of Moses. The more we understand Moses and the book of Exodus, the more we will understand how the New Testament communicates about Jesus. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/moses-a-messiah#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_moses_week_5.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/mPosXhXfQlQ References: Nahum Sarna: The JPS Commentary on Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=301VX4VGN1L0T&keywords=sarna+exodus&qid=1643491585&sprefix=sarna+exodus%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2 Jonathan Sacks: Covenant & Conversation Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_2?crid=VPROFC1E9D0E&keywords=jonathan+sacks+covenant+and+conversation&qid=1643491634&sprefix=jonathan+sacks+cove%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2

Pharaoh's daughter has a remarkable place in redemptive history. She rescued Moses – the future redeemer of Israel - from certain death and raised him as "her son" under the nose of the Pharaoh who wanted to have him killed. Her compassion and moral courage compelled her to disobey her father's command in the name of saving a human life. Does God reward her for her courage and actions? Later in the Old Testament, there is an indication that the answer is yes! The Sages of Israel noted a remarkable "measure for measure" in which God provides a reciprocal blessing for her heroic actions. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/pharaohs-daughter-daughter-of-god#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_pharaohs_daughter_week_4.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/m44rNYHgCm8 References: Nahum Sarna: The JPS Commentary on Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=301VX4VGN1L0T&keywords=sarna+exodus&qid=1643491585&sprefix=sarna+exodus%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2 Jonathan Sacks: Covenant & Conversation Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_2?crid=VPROFC1E9D0E&keywords=jonathan+sacks+covenant+and+conversation&qid=1643491634&sprefix=jonathan+sacks+cove%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2

The book of Exodus opens with several stories of civil disobedience including the midwives who disobeyed Pharaoh's command to murder the Hebrew males. In this episode, we explore totalitarianism, civil disobedience, and the two midwives - Shiphrah and Puah. When it comes to matters of human life, God is the ultimate authority and must be obeyed. Shiphrah and Puah display the moral courage necessary to obey God during times of totalitarian rule. Because of their courage, God blesses them by giving them families of their own. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/god-ordained-civil-disobedience#/ Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_week_3_civil_disobedience.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/t3LD1M8fijI References: Nahum Sarna: The JPS Commentary on Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=301VX4VGN1L0T&keywords=sarna+exodus&qid=1643491585&sprefix=sarna+exodus%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2 Jonathan Sacks: Covenant & Conversation Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Exodus-Book-Redemption/dp/1592640214/ref=sr_1_2?crid=VPROFC1E9D0E&keywords=jonathan+sacks+covenant+and+conversation&qid=1643491634&sprefix=jonathan+sacks+cove%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2

God brought the Bible to the world through Israel - in the culture of the east. The Bible was written in the east by easterners and given first to easterners. The Bible is an eastern book. The cultural gap between the Ancient Near East (ANE) and the modern West is profound. This video explores how the West and the East communicate through their specific cultural context. If we don't take the time to consider the differences between the culture of the Bible and our own culture, we run the risk of misinterpreting the text. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_culture_week_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/UqKXl7xzxr4 References: Erin Meyer - The Culture Map https://smile.amazon.com/Culture-Map-Breaking-Invisible-Boundaries-ebook/dp/B00IHGVQ9I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8G42DQZ0U6PL&keywords=the+culture+map&qid=1642885627&sprefix=the+cult%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1 Kenneth Bailey - Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Through-Middle-Eastern-Eyes-ebook/dp/B001I461LY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NKF5Z7ZV7NQZ&keywords=jesus+through+middle+eastern+eyes+by+kenneth+bailey&qid=1642885671&s=books&sprefix=jesus+through+%2Cstripbooks%2C86&sr=1-3

In this introductory video to the book of Exodus, we take a birds-eye view of the book's flow to gain a deeper understanding of the overall message. There are two prominent themes of the book of Exodus. First, Redemption. We explore the ancient cultural concept of redemption and how the book of Exodus serves as an example of God's plan for the world. The second theme is God's presence. The final third of the book of Exodus is about creating a space for God's presence to dwell. What are we doing to create this space? Do we crowd God out of our lives with our constant activity? If so, we must beware. Join us as we begin this journey through the book of Exodus. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_exodus_introduction_week_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/WsP-jpoS-oA References: Nahum M. Sarna - The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus https://smile.amazon.com/JPS-Torah-Commentary-Exodus/dp/0827603274/ref=sr_1_2?crid=18IT0GTOS8TYY&keywords=jps+torah+commentary+exodus&qid=1642343666&sprefix=jps+torah+comm%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-2

The book of Judges shows us the cyclical decline of Israel's society during the period of the Judges. The result of this decline is a descent into a civil war (Judges 20). Judges 19 symbolically represents the deterioration of societal norms. At the end of chapter 19, we find a disturbing story of a Levite who dismembers his concubine's body and delivers the pieces to the tribes of Israel. What are we to make of this act? Join us today as we work through some of the ancient symbolism present in the book of Judges that God uses to communicate this important message. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_judges_part_2.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/jgU5ZEZXIZc References: Anne Katrine de Hemmer Gudme. “Sex, Violence and State Formation in Judges 19-21” in The Bible and Hellenism (Copenhagen International Seminar) Taylor and Francis (2014). Keefe, Alice A. 1993. “Rapes of Women/Wars of Men.” Semeia 61: 79–97. Khoiak Festival Drama: https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/culture-magazines/osirian-khoiak-festival-drama

The book of Judges tells the story of Israel's cyclical descent into chaos and eventually civil war. In this lesson, we examine the cycle that repeats six times throughout the book, each getting worse than the last. Amid these cycles, we find a parable (technically a fable) that is a warning about the people making sure they choose the proper leadership. The key to understanding the parable is a particular tree in Israel. We examine the characteristics of the tree to see how it helps us understand the embedded message of the parable. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_judges_part_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/INX_z54rr7U Resources: Nogah Hareuveni - "Tree and Shrub in Our Biblical Heritage" https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-Shrub-Our-Biblical-Heritage/dp/9652330116/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1YWJMNX4NOEAU&keywords=nogah+hareuveni&qid=1639704266&sprefix=nogah+hareuveni%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-2

What message can we understand from the narrative of Jesus' betrayal and unjust suffering found in the Gospels (Matt. 26 & 27)? Peter helps us understand the more profound message when he explains that Jesus suffered as an "example" for us. Should we face betrayal and unjust suffering - as we likely will - we are to look to Jesus' actions as the example of how we should respond. In today's lesson, we look at a thread that is woven throughout scripture about unjust suffering, how it connects to Jesus at the pinnacle, and what it means for us as we "walk as Jesus walked" (1 John 2:6). Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_10_betrayal_and_suffering.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/8CAcTxVcArQ Resources - that mention Abel in the capacity of a judge. Testament of Abraham (Chapter 13) https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1007.htm Enoch 22:3-7 the book of Enoch was composed between 300-200 BCE as a Hebrew apocalyptic book and mentions "the spirit of Abel" "making suit" (Enoch 22:5). Acts 10:42 - Jesus is appointed by God "as judge over the living and the dead" https://biblehub.com/acts/10-42.htm http://qbible.com/enoch/22.html Matt. 19:28 - the disciples as judges over the twelve tribes https://biblehub.com/matthew/19-28.htm

Jesus is asked, 'What is the Greatest Commandment?' In this video, we explore the background to the question and how it would have been understood by his first-century audience. We also explore a rule of bible interpretation called Gezerah Shavah that Jesus and his audience would have been familiar with. Using this rule, Jesus is able to connect two commandments from the Old Testament. Connecting these two commands from the Old Testament Jesus deepens what it means to love God and love your neighbor. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_9_greatest_commendment.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/tgql4_1Qwko Resources: Jewish Virtual Library: Gezerah Shavah https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hermeneutics

In the first century, "store up treasure in heaven" was a common phrase used as an idiom for charity. In this week's lesson, we explore the background of this phrase as it is developed from the Old Testament - through the Apocryphal writings of the intertestamental period - and into the New Testament. When you give to those in need, you store up treasures in heaven, and God becomes the guarantor of your loan. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_8_charity.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/sP8Kwd0xKgE Resources: www.jerusalemperspective.com Gary Anderson, “A Treasury in Heaven: The Exegesis of Proverbs 10:2 in the Second Temple Period” in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel 1/3 (2012): 351-367.

The transfiguration of Jesus - Matthew 17:1-7 - is a difficult event to understand because of its mystical nature. What does this event tell us about the reality of who Jesus is? In this lesson, we explore the transfiguration from the perspective of Jewish mysticism. We will look at numerous examples from the first century that will help us understand what is actually going on. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_7_transfiguration.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/WfcfSIU2b5U Resources: Daniel Boyarin - "Logos, a Jewish Word: John's Prologue as Midrash" https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy-Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds._The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549 Daniel Boyarin - "The Gospel of the Memre" https://melc.berkeley.edu/Web_Boyarin/BoyarinArticles/108%20Gospel%20of%20the%20Memra%20(2001).pdf Mansions of the Heart - Thomas Ashbrook - https://smile.amazon.com/Mansions-Heart-Exploring-Stages-Spiritual/dp/1506454852/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1636071921&sr=1-1 St. John of the Cross for Beginners - William Meninger https://smile.amazon.com/John-Cross-Beginners-William-Meninger/dp/1590564634/ref=sr_1_2?crid=V00UA1JYYL71&keywords=saint+john+of+the+cross+for+beginners&qid=1636071957&s=books&sprefix=saint+john+of+the+cross+for+beginners%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-2 Dangerous Mystic - Joel Harrington https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=dangerous+mystic&i=stripbooks&crid=3DGLXSV6XVYV7&sprefix=dangerous+mysti%2Cstripbooks%2C109&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15 From Infinity to Man - Eduard Shyfrin https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=from+infinity+to+man&qid=1636072048&s=books&sprefix=from+infini%2Cstripbooks%2C111&sr=1-1

Matthew 13:24-31 - commonly referred to as the Parable of the Weeds or the Parable of the Tares. In today's video, we will look at the plant that underlies the parable and how knowing the characteristics of that plant gives us a greater understanding of the parable. When Jesus tells a parable, he is precise with his details. We must learn to look at the characteristics of those details to see how they are pointing toward the overall message. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_6_parables.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/lNwmHRyS-Zk Parables Lessons: Parables Introduction: https://youtu.be/QTOD-W18neE Parable of Mustard Seed: https://youtu.be/2YyMADD2VCE Parable of Wicked Tenants: https://youtu.be/hzMj_3Hjz3Y Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus: https://youtu.be/Fm54uWd4u60 Rich Man and Lazarus – pt. 2: https://youtu.be/JjjodIqqr7E Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector: https://youtu.be/IACs2BbNq9k On Darnel: https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-ethnobiology/volume-36/issue-1/0278-0771-36.1.29/Remembering-Darnel-a-Forgotten-Plant-of-Literary-Religious-and-Evolutionary/10.2993/0278-0771-36.1.29.short On Parables: McArthur and Johnston, "They Also Taught in Parables" - https://smile.amazon.com/They-Also-Taught-Parables-Centuries/dp/B010EVAI92/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2AUNWQH8NY3II&dchild=1&keywords=they+also+taught+in+parables&qid=1635523547&sprefix=they+also+taught+in+parables%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-2

As translated in English, Matthew 11:12 is a difficult verse for many. In today's video, we explore this verse to see if there is a better way of understanding what is being stated. We look to a Messianic prophecy from the Old Testament that serves as the background for the verse. Once we understand that prophecy and how it relates to John the Baptist, translating the Greek becomes clearer. Join us to understand how the Kingdom of Heaven is breaking forth. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_5_kingdom_breaks_forth.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/YbZPvV2ZrNA Sardis - Home of Aesop: https://youtu.be/Tb_uD0EmTc8 Brad Young - Jesus the Jewish Theologian https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Jewish-Theologian-Brad-Young/dp/0801048176/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NPFBNO98IL3Z&dchild=1&keywords=jesus+the+jewish+theologian&qid=1634861930&s=books&sr=1-1

In this video, we explore the idea of Measure for Measure. Most Christians are unaware of this idea's prevalence within the Biblical text (unlike our Jewish brothers and sisters). Measure for measure is part of God's justice and woven into the fabric of the cosmos. The more aware of Measure for Measure we are, the more we pay attention to our own behavior. Additionally, a deep understanding that God's justice will reach all actions allows us to forgive others and release the responsibility for justice to God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_4_measure_for_measure.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/RjccDzmys7U

In this lesson, we tackle a verse that is often misinterpreted - Matthew 5:17. What does Jesus mean when he uses the words "abolish" and "fulfill?" In this video, we explore Rabbinic writings that also use these words in the context of scripture interpretation. These Rabbinic uses help us shed light on what Jesus is actually saying. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_3_abolish_and_fulfill.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/_NYWg2Rk9XE Resources: David Flusser - Judaism and the Origins of Christianity https://smile.amazon.com/Judaism-Origins-Christianity-David-Flusser-ebook/dp/B007ZSC7TC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2TGZRWVCGAUQG&dchild=1&keywords=david+flusser&qid=1633709982&s=books&sprefix=david+flusser%2Caps%2C193&sr=1-4 Brad Young - Jesus the Jewish Theologian https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Jewish-Theologian-Brad-Young/dp/0801048176/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2WQGAX31FO4KQ&dchild=1&keywords=brad+young&qid=1633710037&s=books&sprefix=brad+youn%2Cstripbooks%2C193&sr=1-2

When Matthew composed Jesus' genealogy at the opening of his Gospel did he have the moon cycle in mind? Jesus' genealogy provides the foundation for what is to come in the remainder of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew deliberately divides the genealogy - Redemptive History - into three sets of fourteen generations. Why 14? Join us as we explore the structure of the genealogy and what Matthew may be communicating to Israel. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_2.pdf Fulfillment Texts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_fulfillment_texts.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y Apple Podcasts: Resources: David Bivin, Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus - https://smile.amazon.com/Understanding-Difficult-Words-Jesus-Perspective-ebook/dp/B0028N61V4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2TCW5SST2QVIY&dchild=1&keywords=david+bivin&qid=1633118077&sprefix=david+bivin+%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-4 Herbert Basser, The Mind Behind the Gospels - https://smile.amazon.com/Mind-Behind-Gospels-Commentary-Intellectual/dp/1934843342/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=herbert+basser&qid=1633118133&sr=8-1 Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Matthew Presents Yeshua, King Messiah https://smile.amazon.com/Matthew-Presents-Yeshua-King-Messiah/dp/1936716267/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1KQ32M4EP5U7V&dchild=1&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1633118185&s=books&sprefix=barney+kasdan%2Caps%2C190&sr=1-4 Talmud Sanhedrin 97a (scroll down to 12-14) - https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.97a.14?lang=bi

This video is the first of a ten-week Bible study series on the Gospel of Matthew. We discuss the phrase "the kingdom of Heaven." What would that mean to those hearers of first-century Israel? Over the many years, this phrase has taken on western connotations of a local (Kingdom as a noun) in the future that we call heaven. But for the Jews of the first century, the Kingdom of Heaven meant the present reality of God's "reign" (as a verb). The present action of God’s rule here on earth as Jesus teaches us to pray: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on EARTH as it is in Heaven.” Join us as we explore this crucial topic. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_matthew_bible_study_week_1.pdf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/pCjYtGUNBrE Resources: David Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-New-Testament-Commentary-Companion/dp/9653590081/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=david+stern&qid=1632506075&sr=8-4 George Ladd, The Presence of the Future - https://smile.amazon.com/Presence-Future-Eschatology-Biblical-Realism/dp/0802815316/ref=sr_1_2?crid=BAGJUD91M5E&dchild=1&keywords=the+presence+of+the+future+george+ladd&qid=1632506142&sprefix=the+presence+of+the+fut%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-2 David Bivin, Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus - https://smile.amazon.com/Understanding-Difficult-Words-Jesus-Perspective-ebook/dp/B0028N61V4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZMRHH2LOWHGO&dchild=1&keywords=david+bivin&qid=1632506205&sprefix=david+bivin%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-4 Herbert Basser, The Mind Behind the Gospels - https://smile.amazon.com/Mind-Behind-Gospels-Commentary-Intellectual/dp/1934843342/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=herbert+basser&qid=1632506322&sr=8-1 Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Matthew Presents Yeshua, King Messiah https://smile.amazon.com/Matthew-Presents-Yeshua-King-Messiah/dp/1936716267/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=barney+kasdan&qid=1632506705&sr=8-3

This week we tour the hometown of Mary the Magdalene - the village of Magdala. Magdala was a wealthy fishing village that was famous throughout the Roman Empire for its salted-sardines. According to Luke 8:2-3, Mary supported Jesus and the disciples "out of her own means." There are many questions about Mary. Does the Bible say she was a prostitute? Is it possible that she controlled her own wealth? Could her wealth have come from the city of Magdala? Join us this week as we explore the village of Magdala and the most recent interpretations of Mary the Magdalene. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/mary-magdalene#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/lvCXS5CZLWg Magdala: https://www.magdala.org/

In Matthew 11: 20-24, Jesus gives a warning to three of the cities that were closely tied to his ministry. How are we to understand what is going on in these passages? Matthew comments that the reason Jesus was denouncing these cities was that they saw his miracles but did not "repent." In this lesson, we explore the concept of "repent" and "repentance." How we conceive these words affects how we understand these passages. Join us to explore the context of Jesus' message and how it can apply to our lives. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/woe-to-you-korazin#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/mZfr0wAv8j8

This lesson was recorded in June 2019. This past week we had to cancel our regular bible study due to Hurricane Ida. I wanted to get a video posted, and this is one of our favorites but had not been published before. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, he is very intentional with his actions that publicly declare that He is the King. One very intentional act is to stop at the village of Bethphage before getting on the donkey. What is the significance of Bethphage relative to coming "into" Jerusalem? Join us as we explore the cultural context of Jesus' actions. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/triumphal-entry#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/X8UhOB106us References: Yigael Yadin - The Temple Scroll: The Hidden Law of the Dead Sea Sect https://smile.amazon.com/Temple-Scroll-Hidden-Dead-Sect/dp/0394544986/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+temple+scroll&qid=1630611344&sr=8-1 Raphael Patai - The Messiah Texts: Jewish Legends of Three Thousand Years. https://smile.amazon.com/Messiah-Texts-Jewish-Legends-Thousand/dp/0814318509/ref=sr_1_3?crid=QJY4IOTHSZI1&dchild=1&keywords=raphael+patai&qid=1630611465&s=books&sprefix=raphael+patai%2Caps%2C172&sr=1-3 Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah https://smile.amazon.com/Paths-Messiah-Bargil-Pixner/dp/0898708656/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=paths+of+the+messiah&qid=1630611403&sr=8-2

This week we take a second look at Matthew 14:22-33 and the telling of Jesus walking on the water. Matthew tells us that Peter got out of the boat and also "walked on the water." What does this mean for us? How can we read the entire story as a metaphor that can be applied to our own lives? Join us as we dive deep into this well-known story. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-walks-on-water-pt-2-of-2#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/6_bvbaa2sHA References: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery: https://smile.amazon.com/Dictionary-Biblical-Imagery-Leland-Ryken/dp/0830814515/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39H3DYDQ39JR8&dchild=1&keywords=dictionary+of+biblical+imagery&qid=1629403617&sprefix=dictionary+of+biblical+ima%2Caps%2C1033&sr=8-1 Foster R. McCurley - Ancient Myths and Biblical Faith: Scriptural Transformations: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0800616960?pf_rd_r=59V6EZPHZERDCW7VNAW2&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=7793596b-fe3a-4ef9-b8dc-d77c0db2e879&pd_rd_w=XzXMY&pd_rd_wg=wDQGw&ref_=pd_gw_unk

What does it mean that Jesus "walked upon the sea?" Join us in our latest lesson on the Sea of Galilee as we explore this well-known story from the perspective of Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) symbolism. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jesus-walks-on-water-pt-1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/ELO0hnqKNX4 References: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery: https://smile.amazon.com/Dictionary-Biblical-Imagery-Leland-Ryken/dp/0830814515/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39H3DYDQ39JR8&dchild=1&keywords=dictionary+of+biblical+imagery&qid=1629403617&sprefix=dictionary+of+biblical+ima%2Caps%2C1033&sr=8-1 Foster R. McCurley - Ancient Myths and Biblical Faith: Scriptural Transformations: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0800616960?pf_rd_r=59V6EZPHZERDCW7VNAW2&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=7793596b-fe3a-4ef9-b8dc-d77c0db2e879&pd_rd_w=XzXMY&pd_rd_wg=wDQGw&ref_=pd_gw_unk

This video is the second in a two-part series looking at the Crucifixion (Mark 15:16-39) through the lens of a first-century Roman Triumph. The picture that Mark is painting - if we have eyes to see - is that Jesus is the king and true Son of God. The crucifixion is the coronation of a king! We can contrast the Roman Via Sacra - the Sacred Way - with the Via Dolorosa - the Way of Suffering. Jesus shows us the path to becoming king is through humility and submitting oneself to the will of God. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/crucifixion-as-coronation-pt-2-of-2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ce_oC3PZZ_Y References: Thomas Schmidt: "Jesus' Triumphal March to Crucifixion" - Bible Review 13, no. 1 (1997): 30-37. https://www.baslibrary.org/bible-review/13/1/11 NT Wright, How God Became King: https://smile.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Forgotten-ebook/dp/B006QB98NC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AEB1DVNH0T8T&dchild=1&keywords=how+god+became+king&qid=1626793588&sprefix=how+god+bec%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1 Roman Imperial Cult: https://youtu.be/9BcKXOL-GgE Jesus vs Caesar Augustus: https://youtu.be/MP9TwKI1RN4 Caesar August birth as Good News - Priene Inscription: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene

n this week's lesson, we begin an exploration of the details and sequence of the crucifixion as presented in Mark - chapter 15. Each of the Gospel writers presents the narrative with slight differences. Mark's description of the procession to the cross is tightly worded with specific details. The question we will be asking is, why? Why those details in that order? As we will see, the details in Mark 15 are extraordinarily similar to the details of the Roman Triumph - the procession that declares the power and victory of Rome. Assuming Mark wrote in Rome - in the '60s - what would his first audience have thought? Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/crucifixion-as-coronation-pt-1-of-2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/DMz_U2eTWoo References: Thomas Schmidt: "Jesus' Triumphal March to Crucifixion" - Bible Review 13, no. 1 (1997): 30-37. https://www.baslibrary.org/bible-review/13/1/11 Roman Imperial Cult: https://youtu.be/9BcKXOL-GgE Jesus vs Caesar Augustus: https://youtu.be/MP9TwKI1RN4 Caesar August birth as Good News - Priene Inscription: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene

This week we complete our lesson on the Zealot movement and the impact it had on first-century Israel. By 66 AD, the Zealots had pushed the nation into an all-out war with Rome. The result of that war was that in 70 AD, Jerusalem and God's temple were destroyed. Why was it that the second temple was destroyed? Join us as we explore the reason provided by the Rabbis and how that compares to Jesus' overall message of forgiveness. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/zealot-conclusion-and-baseless-hatred Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/8K8_9aWO_Yo References: The Burnt House Museum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_House "Baseless Hatred" in Rabbinic Writings: https://www.sefaria.org/topics/sinat-chinam?tab=sources Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - Covenant and Conversation: Genesis https://smile.amazon.com/Covenant-Conversation-Genesis-Book-Beginnings/dp/1592640206/ref=sr_1_3?crid=116J6M108A5WN&dchild=1&keywords=covenant+and+conversation+sacks&qid=1625794919&sprefix=covenant+and+conversation+%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-3 Complete Works of Josephus: https://smile.amazon.com/New-Complete-Works-Josephus/dp/0825429242/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2YMY8LR88CZCI&dchild=1&keywords=complete+works+of+josephus&qid=1625794803&sprefix=complete+works+of+jose%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-3

We know from Paul's statements that he acted 'zealously' regarding the Torah and resorted to violence against the early Christians. But what about Paul's upbringing? What are the factors in his upbringing that would have led to this type of behavior? In this video, we explore some of the factors in Paul's background. In particular, we look at his parents and a comment about Paul's parents from the early Church scholar Jerome. Join us as we take this ever so brief look at Paul through the lens of 'Zealot.' Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/pauls-background-and-the-zelots Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/1G5KxC9-1tc References: Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah (pg - 76): https://smile.amazon.com/Paths-Messiah-Bargil-Pixner/dp/0898708656/ref=sr_1_1?crid=360SJUQOUX3IL&dchild=1&keywords=paths+of+the+messiah&qid=1624408465&sprefix=paths+of+the+Messiah%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1 Crossan and Reed - In Search of Paul - (top of pg. 54) https://smile.amazon.com/Search-Paul-Apostle-Opposed-Kingdom/dp/0060816163/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=in+search+of+paul&qid=1625022071&sr=8-1 Jerome, Commentary on Philemon: http://catenabible.com/com/583ba9de205c248f42e53054 See page 379 of the document reader: https://dokumen.pub/st-jeromes-commentaries-on-galatians-titus-and-philemon-9780268092757-0268092753.html

In today's lesson, we explore how the mindset of the Zealot movement likely influenced some of the attitudes and actions of the disciples. Jesus called disciples who were 'zealous' about the word of God and then had to channel that passion in the right direction: loving their neighbor and serving those who were on the margins of the Greco-Roman world. Finally, we look at Judas Iscariot - was this his last name? We explore his name and his betrayal of Jesus in light of the direction the Zealots were driving the country. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/disciples-and-the-zealots YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zlwcw6R_euQ References: Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah (pg - 72-74): https://smile.amazon.com/Paths-Messiah-Bargil-Pixner/dp/0898708656/ref=sr_1_1?crid=360SJUQOUX3IL&dchild=1&keywords=paths+of+the+messiah&qid=1624408465&sprefix=paths+of+the+Messiah%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1 Caesar Augustus and the Birth of Jesus: https://youtu.be/MP9TwKI1RN4

This week's video brings the history of the Zealots closer to Jesus' ministry. We explore some of the political events - leading up to the time of Jesus' birth - in the region of Galilee that involved the zealots and set the stage for the movement in the first century. We briefly explore the city of Sepphoris which was the administrative center of Galilee and how this city intersects with the zealots and with Jesus' upbringing. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/cp-yXWuFop0 Class handouts: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/zealots-2

Today's lesson begins a short series that focuses on the Zealots and the Zealot movement in first-century Israel. The headquarters for the Zealot movement was located in a city near the Sea of Galilee called Gamla (see the links below to read more about Gamla). Jesus continually interacts with the Zealots or those whose thinking had been influenced by the Zealots. He even has a disciple named Simon called "the Zealot" (see Mark 3:18). Raising our awareness of the Zealots will help us understand the actions of many of the disciples and those who wanted to make Jesus their king. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 www.figtreeteaching.com Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/zealots-1 YouTube: https://youtu.be/I5l47CP64KQ References: Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah: And Sites of the Early Church from Galilee to Jerusalem https://smile.amazon.com/Paths-Messiah-Bargil-Pixner/dp/0898708656/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27HWCN6I8JNHH&dchild=1&keywords=paths+of+the+messiah&qid=1622650862&sprefix=paths+of+the+messiah%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1 Gamla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamla Gamla - Jewish Virtual Library - https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/gamla Judah the Galilean - Jewish Virtual Library - https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/judah-the-galilean

The number three carries significant meaning in the Biblical narrative, Judaism, and Christianity. This lesson explores the significance of the number three and its inference toward a spiritual journey toward restoration. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Jesus have a "three" or "third day" associated with their spiritual journey. This lesson will help raise your awareness of how this number is used throughout scripture. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support us while you shop using Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 Class Handout: YouTube: https://youtu.be/vio63_EaRHQ

The stories of Jesus feeding the 5000 and the 4000 are full of details that help us understand the overall message of what the miracles are telling us - that Jesus is the "bread" for the whole world. Each story contains a different set of numbers. The details of the numbers are essential for us to understand the overall message as they apply to the audience that is specific to each miracle. Join us as we compare these two events as told in the Gospel of Mark. Feeding of 5000 - Mark 6:30-44. Feeding of 4000 - Mark 8:1-10. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/feeding-of-5000-4000-sea-of-galilee-pt-12 YouTube: https://youtu.be/_czpp9rzfyc www.figtreeteaching.com

This week we begin a two-part mini-series on Jesus' feeding miracles - the Feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:30-44) and the Feeding of the 4000 (Mark 8:1-9). Our first step is to look at two aspects of Biblical studies: reading narrative and High-Context communication. The majority of the Bible is written in narrative form. Narrative is a very powerful way of communicating information because we - as the reader - participate in the discovery process. When we discover the answer ourselves through a process of revelation, the end result can be transformative. One difficulty modern westerners have when reading narrative is that it is written in a "high-context" communication style. We will review the differences between "low-context" and "high-context" communication, which can help us gain a proper perspective as we approach the Biblical text. Finally, since both feeding miracles are written in narrative form, we will begin our exploration of what these stories mean and how the fine details of the narration communicate that meaning. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support Fig Tree through Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 YouTube: https://youtu.be/7Yg5wg2__3E 2:21 Location of Feeding of 5000 5:01 Preview 7:46 introduction to "narrative" 12:06 Low-context vs High-context communication 16:51 revealing power of narrative 21:57 Feeding of 5000 and Feeding of 4000 25:49 Elijah and Elisha 27:54 2 Kings 4:42-44 31:48 Feeding of 5000 and Feeding of 4000 geographical and cultural context

This video is part of a series on the Sea of Galilee but we are taking a detour to talk about another "triangle number" found in the book of Acts. For more on triangle numbers - like 153 fish in John 21 - see Sea of Galilee part 8 and 9: part 8: https://youtu.be/j2fZX1ZQp8Q part 9: https://youtu.be/rNkc1AZgEV4 Why does Luke include the number of crew members (276) aboard the ship that he and Paul are traveling on to Rome? The number 276 happens to be a triangle number (the triangle of 23). Additionally, there is a Hebrew phrase in Jeremiah 23 that adds up to 276. The phrase is unique and speaks to the hope that we can place in God's promise of deliverance. Join us for a deep dive into Luke's use of this number. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries YouTube: https://youtu.be/RKSxEQ9znvc Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/267-and-the-hope-of-israel-acts-2737 5:36 Acts 27:37 8:52 Preview 11:20 Hope and the dynamics of Hoping 21:35 Righteousness 22:31 Isaiah 56:1 24:48 Hope in God's Righteousness 26:10 Acts 27 27:00 All Hope is Lost - Acts 27:20 28:20 Acts 27:22-25 31:32 276 - the Lord is our Righteousness 34:20 Jeremiah 23:5-6 40:07 Acts 28:20 the Hope of Israel 41:22 Anchor Cross at Sardis (Revelation 3:1)

today's video is an extension of Sea of Galilee part 8: In this video, we dig deeper into the number 153 from John 21:11 and how this is connected to two words in Ezekiel 47:10 - Gedi and Eglaim. Finally, we explore another example of 153 and the Hebrew phrase 'Sons of God' and how scholars connect this to the overall message of John's Gospel. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/153-fish YouTube: https://youtu.be/rNkc1AZgEV4 Resource: Richard Bauckham - The 153 Fish and the Unity of the Fourth Gospel Neotestamentica, 2002, Vol. 36, No. 1/2, Word, Sacrament, and Community (2002), pp 77-88. 2:40 En Gedi (the spring of Gedi) 7:32 Review John 21:11 9:32 Triangular Numbers 12:52 Ezekiel 47:10 - River of Life 13:43 En Gedi and En Eglaim 18:23 John and Ezekiel 19:32 John 7:37-38 24:29 Hebrew Alphabet 29:10 Gedi = 17 30:00 Eglaim = 153 33:53 Sons of God = 153 35:31 John 1:12 'Children of God' 37:16 Richard Bauckham 38:21 Meaning of 153

In today's video, we explore fishing on the Sea of Galilee. In John 21, there is a miraculous catch of fish at a location called Tabgha, where seven warm water springs run into the lake. The warm water attracts Tilapia during the winter and early spring months. The Gospel of John includes a minor detail regarding this miraculous catch of "large" fish. John tells us there were "153 fish." Why include this detail? What is the significance of the number 153? Join us as we explore this number's deeper significance and how it connects to the Old Testament. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/153-fish-john-21-11 YouTube: https://youtu.be/j2fZX1ZQp8Q Resource: Mendel Nun "The Sea of Galilee and its fishermen" https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Galilee-its-fishermen-Testament/dp/B0006EVONM

Why did God lead Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 3) east of the Dead Sea causing them to have to cross the Jordan River at flood stage? Why not lead them directly north along the well-worn highways of their day? In this video, we explore this question and the lesson that emerges out of this event. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class handout: YouTube: https://youtu.be/BL9fTSOvwmw 2:50 Map overview 5:00 Why did God lead Joshua and the Israelites to the Jordan? 7:36 Patriarchal ridge route - Beersheba and Hebron 10:15 Water Motif 11:05 Water symbolism 15:09 Water motif / Genesis 1 21:20 Noah 24:10 Exodus 27:35 Joshua 3 30:56 Lesson of Joshua 3 33:13 Jesus (Mark 1:9-12)

In today's video, we take a look at the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Sea of Galilee - There is a Jewish legend - Miriam's Well - about a rock that provided water while the Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years. That rock, it is said, eventually makes it into the Sea of Galilee. The Legend of Miriam's Well is referenced by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:4. Jordan River - this is an introductory look at the Jordan River. The Jordan holds significant spiritual symbolism for both Israel and Christians. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class handout (PDF): https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/jordan-river-sea-of-galilee-pt-6 YouTube: https://youtu.be/L3d4JyKybGQ References - Legends of the Jews, by Louis Ginzberg - https://smile.amazon.com/Legends-Jews-Four-Volumes-Complete/dp/1387998595/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2I58SE3KBXG1L&dchild=1&keywords=legends+of+the+jews&qid=1616527171&sprefix=legends+of+the+jews%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-1 3:07 Jordan River 5:08 Map overview 7:05 Mount Hermon 8:10 Sea of Galilee and sheepfold 11:22 Legend of Miriam's Well 13:04 Water from a Rock 15:26 Numbers 20:3-8 17:39 Numbers 20:1 Death of Miriam 20:08 The Legends of the Jews - Ginzberg 22:18 I Corinthians 10:3-4 27:07 Jordan River 28:25 Profile of Jordan River 29:14 Mount Hermon 29:31 Caesarea Philippi 31:39 Spring at Dan 33:07 Jordan River - possible meaning 35:48 Crossing the Jordan - Spiritual Metaphor 39:33 The lesson of "Two Seas"

Jesus stilling the sea (Mark 4:35-41) and the story of Jonah are intricately connected. Join us this week as we explore the possible meanings of the phrase "Sign of Jonah" and the connections to Jesus and his ministry. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries 4:17 Sign of Jonah 7:14 Review 10:31 found 3x in the New Testament 11:54 Matthew 12:38-41 14:08 Luke 11:29-32 17:56 the story of Jonah - intro 24:00 Jesus compared to Jonah 36:37 Jonah 4 40:00 Jonah 4:4 41:56 Jonah 4:9-11

In this lesson, we take a detailed look at Mark 5:1-20 which is the story of the Demon-Possessed Man from the Decapolis. As we fill in the cultural details that help us understand the interactions between Jews and gentiles we gain insight into the actions - or non-actions - of the disciples. Fig Tree Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational ministry: Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/demon-possessed-man Smile.Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 Resource: The Jewish Annotated Apocrypha: https://smile.amazon.com/Jewish-Annotated-Apocrypha-Jonathan-Klawans/dp/0190262486/ref=sr_1_2?crid=XNXBQ751EL3M&dchild=1&keywords=the+jewish+annotated+apocrypha&qid=1615262381&sprefix=the+jewish+anno%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-2 2:53 Main points 4:21 Review of parts 1-3 7:07 Ancient view of cosmos 13:23 Get out of the Boat 13:45 Mark 5:1 15:28 Mark 5:2-5 17:27 Mark 5:6-10 19:38 Mark 5:10 vs Luke 8:31 21:08 Mark 5:11-13 22:42 Mark 5:14-17 23:40 Mark 5:18-20 26:26 Swine, Demons, Legion 28:37 Bible Timeline 32:51 1 Maccabees 1:47 Swine Sacrifice 34:15 Legion 36:15 Pagans - Jubilees 22:16-18 40:21 Actions of the D

This week we continue our look at the Sea of Galilee. Today we will look at the story where Jesus calms the storms but from Mark 4:35-41 and connect this telling to Psalm 107. We also begin to look at the next part of the story (Mark 5:1-20) where Jesus goes across the lake to heal a demon-possessed man. Mark calls this the region of the Gerasenes. We will tackle the difficulties of this word and offer one solution. Fig Tree Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries YouTube: https://youtu.be/bq3z-10xxPA Bargil Pixner: https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Through-Galilee-According-Gospel/dp/9654340011/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bargil+pixner+through+galilee&qid=1613509700&sr=8-1 4:36 - main topics for today's lesson 6:00 - review from last week 13:00 - Decapolis city of Hippos/Susita 14:42 - Decapolis 14:52 - Decapolis "unclean" 16:38 - "A Christmas Story" our own metaphors of "clean v. unclean" 19:20 - Decapolis euphemism 20:41 - Sirach 50:25-26 - example of Samaritans as "unclean" 25:00 - Comparison villages of Galilee to Decapolis 29:05 - Mark 4:37-39 compared to Psalm 107 33;09 - "the driven out ones" 36:22 - Map of possible cities for Gerasenes 39:24 - Hebrew Gerash - "to drive out" or "to expel" 40:55 - Exodus 40:55 42:37 - transliteration of Gethsemane 43:57 - Origen of Alexandria 46:23 - Theme of "driven-out"

In this video, we explore ancient Near East thought about "the Sea" and all of the symbolism that goes along with it. Once we understand the symbolism of "sea," we can better understand the story of Jesus in Luke 8:22-25. Who has authority over the chaos and the abyss? How is the authority of the Father passed down to the Son? Please support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries https://youtu.be/IS_UABKLqgs References: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery: https://smile.amazon.com/Dictionary-Biblical-Imagery-Leland-Ryken/dp/0830814515/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LD17DPW6VVZ&dchild=1&keywords=dictionary+of+biblical+imagery&qid=1614111025&sprefix=dictionary+of+bibli%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1

Scholars have noted how important the land is to understand Jesus' message. There has been a phrase coined to describe the life-setting as the "Fifth Gospel." In the series that follows we explore many of the biblical stories while paying particular attention to the context in each situation. We will look at the location of the event, who the intended audience would have been, and the responses of those involved. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries YouTube: https://youtu.be/k4HPzqPWvtI Bargil Pixner: https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Through-Galilee-According-Gospel/dp/9654340011/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bargil+pixner+through+galilee&qid=1613509700&sr=8-1 https://smile.amazon.com/Paths-Messiah-Bargil-Pixner/dp/0898708656/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=bargil+pixner+through+galilee&qid=1613509726&sr=8-3

In Jewish mystical thought (Lurianic Kabbalah), the human soul's three highest attributes are Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge. These attributes have their counterpart in the "Heavenly Man" (Jesus), a manifestation of God's glory. These three attributes are also associated with God creating the world (Proverbs 3). In this lesson, we explore these attributes from Genesis through to Paul's letters and discuss how we can structure our own interactions with God through the Holy Spirit. Class notes can be downloaded at https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/wisdom-understanding-and-knowledge Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries YouTube: https://youtu.be/eWFWvUd6nL0 4:16 Review 7:06 Soul is made in the image of Heavenly Man 8:54 Ten Attributes 10:33 Interact with Holy Spirit 13:09 Wisdom 17:04 Understanding 19:43 Knowledge 22:53 Proverbs 2:6 23:37 Signpost into the fog 26:01 Proverbs 3:19-20 29:55 Genesis 41:37-39 Joseph 31:57 Exodus 31:1-3 Tabernacle 35:34 1 Cor. 2:6-10 38:20 Ephesians 1:7-9 40:06 Colossians 1:9 41:32 Messiah - Isaiah 11:2 44:25 Chabad San Diego State

this video is the second of two the Heavenly Man. The topic is mystical and difficult to grasp the first time around. This is a review of our previous vid. but will add a few minor details. In 1 Corinthians 15:49, Paul refers to Jesus as the "heavenly man" in a comparison with the "first Adam." The idea of the "heavenly man" was not new to the Jews of the first century. Join us in this video as we explore the background to the concept and how it shows up today within the area of Jewish Mysticism. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Resources: Lawrence Kushner - Honey from the Rock - https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Special-Anniversary-Lawrence-Kushner/dp/1580230733/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=honey+from+the+rock&qid=1612313807&sr=8-2 Nyland - Books of Enoch - https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Books-Enoch-Secrets-Hebrew/dp/1453890297/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1OUM15KXF57GT&dchild=1&keywords=book+of+enoch+nyland&qid=1612313852&sprefix=enoch+nylan%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-5 Louis Ginzberg - Adam Kadmon - http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/761-adam-kadmon Daniel Boyarin, “Logos, a Jewish Word: John’s Prologue as Midrash,” https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy_Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds_The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549?pls=RHC94DMla Adam Kadmon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Kadmon

In 1 Corinthians 15:49, Paul refers to Jesus as the "heavenly man" in a comparison with the "first Adam." The idea of the "heavenly man" was not new to the Jews of the first century. Join us in this video as we explore the background to the concept and how it shows up today within the area of Jewish Mysticism. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries https://youtu.be/i2LLf1738xI Resources: Louis Ginzberg - Adam Kadmon - http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/761-adam-kadmon Daniel Boyarin, “Logos, a Jewish Word: John’s Prologue as Midrash,” https://www.academia.edu/36254597/Daniel_Boyarin_Logos_a_Jewish_Word_John_s_Prologue_as_Midrash_in_Amy_Jill_Levine_and_Marc_Zvi_Brettler_eds_The_Jewish_Annotated_New_Testament_New_York_Oxford_University_Press_2011_546_549?pls=RHC94DMla Adam Kadmon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Kadmon

We explore the idea of what it means to be a Christian. Christ is the Greek word for "the anointed one" and is generally applied to a king. Jesus is the Christ - the King. We then are "little kings" - little Christs - that are maturing in our faith to become "like" the king. How can we conceptualize this for our walk in the world today? In this video, we will explore the idea of becoming or being a king. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Our second look at the ancient city of Pergamum and John's letter to Pergamum in Revelation 2: 12-17. Why does John refer to Pergamum as Satan's Throne? There are many candidates from the 1st century who qualify. We also explore the expression "hidden manna" to see where the Jewish tradition of "hidden manna" comes from and why John would mention it regarding Jesus in the city of Pergamum.

Meister Eckhart was a 13th-century mystic. He was known for using the Christmas story as a metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Join us as we explore his teaching and how it can be metaphorically applied to our lives. Support our work: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Soul and Psyche - Wayne G. Rollins: https://smile.amazon.com/Soul-Psyche-Bible-Psychological-Perspective/dp/0800627164/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=soul+and+psyche&qid=1610499902&sr=8-3 From Infinity to Man - Eduard Shyfrin: https://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Man-Fundamental-Framework-Information/dp/1911195840/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1610499942&sr=8-1 The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart: https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Mystical-Works-Meister-Eckhart/dp/0824525175/ref=sr_1_2?crid=JLP3TJRHW0SM&dchild=1&keywords=meister+eckhart&qid=1610499986&sprefix=meister+eck%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-2

The story of the birth of Jesus as the Christ - or the King - in Luke is specifically set against the Imperial Cult of the Roman Empire. The reigning emperor at the time was Caesar Augustus. Join us in this lesson as we see how the story of Jesus and of Caesar Augustus intersect. The New Testament writers are forcing us to ask the question, 'who do you call Lord? Video: https://youtu.be/MP9TwKI1RN4 Priene Calendar Inscription: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene Omrit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omrit Temple at Sebastia: http://holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,2,6,438,475&img=ICSASA15

Over the past two thousand years, we have told and re-told the Christmas story so many times that details have crept in where they should not be. Over the next few videos, we'll take a closer look at the biblical narrative to see what is actually being said. People are usually surprised at what has been added over the years. A great resource: www.earlychristianwritings.com Infancy Gospel of James: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/infancyjames-roberts.html Kenneth Bailey - https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Through-Middle-Eastern-Eyes/dp/0830825681/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MOM0VQOGJ1KQ&dchild=1&keywords=ken+bailey+jesus+through+middle+eastern+eyes&qid=1608171450&sprefix=ken+bail%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1

Our first look at the ancient city of Pergamum and John's letter to Pergamum in Revelation 2: 12-17. Why does John refer to Pergamum as Satan's Throne? There are many candidates from the 1st century which qualify. One candidate is the god Asclepius - a god of healing and medicine. Today we will take a trip to the shrine of Asclepius which is called an Asclepion. The Asclepion in Pergamum was world-famous for healing. Original video: https://youtu.be/Ka-_DUZOgfI

Our second look at the ancient city of Sardis. John's letter to Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 is full of historical and cultural references to the ancient city. This week we will explore the goddess Cybele and her cult. We will also explore the idea of "who holds the seven stars." Many gods claimed to have the keys to the afterlife and the ability to get you to heaven. John uses cultural references to refute these claims. Original Video: https://youtu.be/Oaio4yYV02o

Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem is a representation of God's "visitation" where he returns to become king. "Visitation" is a Hebrew word - Pakad - that carries tremendous meaning in the Old Testament. Join us as we explore this dynamic Hebrew word and how the full force of its meaning comes to fruition when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. Bible Visualization: https://www.chrisharrison.net/index.php/Visualizations/BibleViz A great book for a reference - by Lois Tverberg https://smile.amazon.com/Listening-Language-Bible-Lois-Tverberg/dp/0974948209/ref=sr_1_6?crid=S1F2VLZJXSFZ&dchild=1&keywords=lois+tverberg+books&qid=1607393518&sprefix=lois+tv%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-6

The parable of the minas (or pounds) is told just as Jesus is about to arrive in Jerusalem as king. This is a complex parable that even includes historical data about Herod Archelaus. Join us as we explore the many aspects of this parable. https://smile.amazon.com/Parables-Jewish-Tradition-Christian-Interpretation/dp/0801048206/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QUGQ5LMFOEIC&dchild=1&keywords=brad+young+parables&qid=1606869713&sprefix=brad+youn%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/ http://read.gov/aesop/112.html

The parable of the minas (or pounds) is told just as Jesus is about to arrive in Jerusalem as king. This is a complex parable that even includes historical data about Herod Archelaus. Join us as we explore the many aspects of this parable. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com

This video has two connected parts. We start with a P.S. on the Zacchaeus story - Luke 19:1-10 - which explores Ezekiel 34. The very next story in Luke - 19:11-27 - is what we call the Parable of the Minas (or Pounds). The way Jesus tells the story is connected to events from recent history and an ancient site where Herod the Great has his palace complex.

The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector is a popular one in the minds of Christians. But was he the "notorious sinner" that many claim him to be? How often do we slow down to take a closer look at the text? Join us as we dissect this popular story to see if we can "rescue truth from familiarity." see bibliography below... Bibliography: Joseph Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke (10-24) - pg. 1218-27 https://smile.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Luke-X-XXIV-Introduction/dp/0385155425/ref=sr_1_3?crid=X18S000CB8C1&dchild=1&keywords=fitzmyer+luke&qid=1604344745&sprefix=fitzmyer%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-3 Anchor Bible Dictionary (Volume 6) - Zacchaeus (pg. 1032-1033) https://smile.amazon.com/Anchor-Bible-Dictionary-6/dp/038526190X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=32AYDMU2ZNVP1&dchild=1&keywords=the+anchor+bible+dictionary+vol+6&qid=1604344877&sprefix=anchor+bible+dictionary+vol+%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-2 Alan Mitchell - "Zacchaeus Revisited: Luke 19.8 as a Defense" (Biblica, 1990, Vol. 71/No. 2). Dennis Hamm - "Luke 19.8 Once Again: Does Zacchaeus Defend or Resolve?" (Journal of Biblical Literature, Sept. 1988, Vol. 107, No. 3, pp431-437). Joshua Schwartz - "On Priests and Jericho in the Second Temple Period" (The Jewish Quarterly Review, 79/no 1, 1988). Fabian Udoh, "To Caesar What is Caesars: Tribute, Taxes, and Imperial Administration in Early Roman Palestine https://smile.amazon.com/Caesar-What-Caesars-B-C-70/dp/1930675925/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fabian+udoh&qid=1604351694&sr=8-2 John Donahue - "Tax Collectors and Sinners: An Attempt at Identification" (The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 33 no 1, Jan 1971, pg. 39-61).

One of the great cities of the ancient world was Sardis. In this lesson, we introduce the city of Sardis and how John weaves their history and cultural context into his letter. John also inserts the context of the Old Testament to speak his message.

The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector is a popular one in the minds of Christians. But was he the "notorious sinner" that many claim him to be? How often do we slow down to take a closer look at the text? Join us as we dissect this popular story to see if we can "rescue truth from familiarity." see bibliography below... Bibliography: Joseph Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke (10-24) - pg. 1218-27 https://smile.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Luke-X-XXIV-Introduction/dp/0385155425/ref=sr_1_3?crid=X18S000CB8C1&dchild=1&keywords=fitzmyer+luke&qid=1604344745&sprefix=fitzmyer%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-3 Anchor Bible Dictionary (Volume 6) - Zacchaeus (pg. 1032-1033) https://smile.amazon.com/Anchor-Bible-Dictionary-6/dp/038526190X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=32AYDMU2ZNVP1&dchild=1&keywords=the+anchor+bible+dictionary+vol+6&qid=1604344877&sprefix=anchor+bible+dictionary+vol+%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-2 Alan Mitchell - "Zacchaeus Revisited: Luke 19.8 as a Defense" (Biblica, 1990, Vol. 71/No. 2). Dennis Hamm - "Luke 19.8 Once Again: Does Zacchaeus Defend or Resolve?" (Journal of Biblical Literature, Sept. 1988, Vol. 107, No. 3, pp431-437). Joshua Schwartz - "On Priests and Jericho in the Second Temple Period" (The Jewish Quarterly Review, 79/no 1, 1988). Fabian Udoh, "To Caesar What is Caesars: Tribute, Taxes, and Imperial Administration in Early Roman Palestine https://smile.amazon.com/Caesar-What-Caesars-B-C-70/dp/1930675925/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fabian+udoh&qid=1604351694&sr=8-2 John Donahue - "Tax Collectors and Sinners: An Attempt at Identification" (The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 33 no 1, Jan 1971, pg. 39-61).

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector provides a unique glimpse into human nature and what happens when we turn people into "them" or "other."

We take a second look at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus which is found in Luke 16:19-31. In this episode, we will look at how, with one detail, Jesus points his message directly at a character from his day that everyone in the audience would have known. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741

This is part of a 16 part series we did on the Seven Cities of Revelation. Over the next 15 weeks, we look at each of the seven cities as well as some of the histories from that timeframe that affect how we can understand some of the language John uses while writing the book of Revelation.

In this lesson, we look at Luke 16:19-31 - the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Many people debate whether this story is a parable or not. Join me as we break down the details to show you how it is a parable and who Jesus is pointing his message toward.

This video explores the seventh and final holiday from Leviticus 23 - the Festival of Tabernacles. We explore the meaning of the holiday and the traditions which developed before Jesus' birth. When Jesus interacts with the holiday, he is firmly established within the cultural nuances.

God's appointed seven holidays in Leviticus 23. Jesus fulfills all seven holidays. In this video, we look at the Day of Atonement and how Jesus is our atoning sacrifice.

Fig Tree Ministries - smile.amazon - https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-0587741 Jesus fulfills all seven of the biblical holidays from Leviticus 23. This lesson explores the fifth holiday - the Feast of Trumpets.

Jesus preached and demonstrated a message of forgiveness. People didn't want to hear it. Many in the first century thought they could bring about the kingdom of God through violence. It ended in what the Rabbi's call - "Baseless Hatred." They hated each other for no reason.

#12 Parables (part 4) The Wicked Tenants part II (Mark 12:1-12) by Scott Broberg

Jesus directs this complex parable at the religious leaders - the priests and the teachers of the law. This parable is a masterful weaving together of Old Testament texts (and 1st-century interpretation) to communicate the identity of Jesus.

The book of Acts tells the amazing story of how the Kingdom of God is spreading unstoppable. In this video, we look at how Luke structured the book of Acts to tell us this message.

Join us as we follow Paul (Saul) out on his first missionary journey. A careful reading of the text will shed considerable context of what is happening with Paul and Barnabas.

The parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the most well known of all Jesus' parables. Unfortunately in many interpretations there seem to be a few things missing. Join us in this episode as we explore the cultural and scriptural context of this parable. Although the parable is short - it is packed with imagery of the kingdom of God that will still have an impact on us today.

Understanding parables is foundational to understanding Jesus message. Join us as we walk through what a parable is and how they are used to communicate a message.

#6 - Like An Arar In The Desert by Scott Broberg