Pursuit - Issue 46, Winter 2022

PURSUIT

Issue 46

Winter 2022

Hungry Hearts: A Ministry of Spirit & Truth

Publisher: Pastor Bill Shults | Editor: Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr.

Design: Marisa Shoop | Cover Design: “Hungry Hearts Hanukkah” by Marisa Shoop

Contributors: Pastor Bill Shults, Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr., Elder Joe Perry, Eldress Kasey Perry, Eldress Jill Pettis, and Deaconess Sarah Raynor

By Pastor Bill Shults

By Pastor Bill Shults

By Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr.

By Eldress Jill Pettis

Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr.

By

Deaconess Sarah Raynor

16 Biblical Archeological Corner: Time of the Judges Part III

By Elder Joe Perry

14 Words Mean Things: What does Shema Mean?

By Eldress Kasey Perry

From Pastor Bill

I wrote about the Founding Fathers in the last issue. There is a quote attributed to G. Washington that fire is a “powerful servant, but a fearful master.” That quote can easily be applied to debt: debt is a powerful servant, but a fearful master. Many financial advisors recommend never having any debt. That does not seem very practical to me. Maybe, I’ve just always been poor. It seems to me that some debt, properly managed would increase the prosperity of both the individual and the nation. The country’s first Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, agreed.

I heard one financial advisor tell a caller that they should find a car “for sale by owner” to avoid debt. Evidently it has been awhile since he tried to buy one. The “buy here, pay here” lots snap those up as soon as they come out forcing low income people to buy from them. That puts a floor under the price of starter cars and requires poor people to pay exorbitant interest rates. This effectively makes them a captive car buyer for a long time.

Debt can be useful for the purchase of cars, homes, major appliances, major home improvements or repairs and the like. Debt for those things does not harm your finances like debt for eating out or for clothing. How much debt you can safely carry depends on your income and your assets. If you have $2000 in cash then $800 in debts is a burden, but when you have $20,000 in assets, then that $800 is not a burden. Why would you use debt at all when you have $20,000? Where is the $20,000? Is it in a CD? Why would you break the CD to buy a Washing Machine? The other reason to use debt is that money is hard to save. It is harder to save the $20,000 than it is to make 0% interest payments to the appliance store for a year on that Washer. Debt can make sense a lot of the time. Used wisely, in balance with your income, debt can greatly enhance your life.

Over the years I am struck by how many people do not have a working budget. A budget is a simple plan of what you are going to do with your income. Many people handle their money emotionally. Then after they have spent their money they can’t pay their bills. Why not rather have a simple plan to pay your bills? How about a plan to spend what is left over? Without a budget, debt can be financially deadly. For people who are going to hold and pay debts, you must know how much money you have available to make your payments.

Accounting has a simple formula for how much debt

can be safely held, current assets must be twice current debts. In like manner, the rule of thumb for mortgage debt and/or rent payments was 25% of monthly disposable income. If you make $2000 a month after taxes and deductions, then you could make $500 a month in rent or mortgage payments. The rule of thumb for all debt payments every month was no more than 36% of your income. This seems quaint right now, but it matters. Most people have finances that are grossly out of balance. It is much more important to work out your money than it is to work out at the gym.

What about the United States? Our debt is over the GDP, or total production of our country. The Congress is working on a bill to build roads, bridges, utility lines and broadband. It is filled with pork barrel projects with no apparent value. They want to follow this with $3.5 Trillion in direct transfer payments to individuals. These are “entitlements” that will grow quickly and bankrupt our country. They are using what is known as modern monetary theory, which says you can print all the money you want. If this weren’t bad enough, the Federal Reserve, who manages our currency, is buying all of this new debt, effectively monetizing it. The definition of inflation is printing more money, which they are doing with abandon. This has never worked in any nation, at any time in history. It always ends in a crash. Always.

We have already delayed all of the new military weapons that we were supposed to build from the Trump Administration. Direct transfer payments to people are already stopping us from rebuilding our military. Our military is focused right now on Critical Race Theory. China’s military is focused intensely on killing Americans. We are more interested in forcing “white” soldiers to admit that they have privilege, than on meeting the existential threat posed by Communist China. This is prophecy playing out. As Christians, right now is the time to turn to Jesus Christ and petition Him for help.

God Bless, Bill Shults

Bill Shults is the Pastor of Hungry Hearts Ministries and Publisher of Pursuit. He also oversees the churches in Jackson, Murfreesboro and Cookeville TN and Corinth MS. Bill has also written eleven books on how to have a closer walk with Jesus Christ.

By: Pastor Bill Shults

Of all the amazing stories in the Bible the Noahide flood has to be the most fantastic of them all. It is the main reason many people do not believe the Bible. Is the Noahide flood real? How could we tell? Is there any legitimate, scientific way to uncover evidence of a massive world wide flood? Well, yes there is. It is not a matter of what evidence is existent, but rather how that evidence is interpreted. For example the earth is covered in sedimentary rock. Was that sediment laid down over a vast expanse of time? Or, was it laid down quickly in a world wide cataclysmic flood?

The currently held scientific view is that the sediments were laid down over millions of years. Where does that come from? We date rock layers by the fossils found in them and we date the fossils from the rock layers where they are found. What is the hard evidence to date either of these? They don’t have any. We have developed a civilization based on atheism. In my last article I showed clearly that our founders laid the foundation of this American civilization on the God of the Bible. How did we become atheist?

There is a compelling presentation online and available on DVD that makes the case for a much younger earth and reviews the geologic evidence for a great world wide flood. This presentation is entitled: “Is Genesis History?” It is narrated by Del Tackett. Mr. Tackett interviews many leading academics in their field of study. They are all very clear that the evidence in the rocks is sure. That the evidence in the rocks is compelling; there was a world wide flood.

The presentation opens with a view of the landscape left by the pyroclastic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Some of the rocks there dated from between 385,000 years old to two million years old, but we know they date from 1980. So much for dating rock. A subsequent eruption produced a mud flow that cut canyons into the deposited lava rock. The entire landscape was produced quickly, not over time. This happened in out lifetimes. How is it that we assign millions of years to other geologic features? Could they not easily be formed by catastrophic change as well?

I was amazed to learn that the surface of North America is covered by a mile or more of sedimentary rock. Where did all of this rock come from? After all, rock does not fall from the skies! There are four “mega sequences” of sedimentary rock covering North America. Some of these are over a thousand feet thick. In many places they have what are called “knife edge” boundaries. That means no blending at the borders between layers. Clearly defined layers one on top of the other; similar to a layer cake. Thick layers of sediment, laid down uniformly over very large areas of land, would seem to require a rapid depositing of that material. Could this really have been laid down gradually over time?

Then there is the issue of uniformity within the layers. If this rock really was laid down over millions of years, there would be evidence of erosion. There would be evidence of surface activity. This seems to be missing, which would suggest a rapid depositing of material, followed by another rapid depositing of material. This seems much more likely to occur from oceans being moved over the continents, rather than from rock falling from the sky.

Then there is the “great non-conformity.” At the base of sedimentary rock, there is the granite bedrock. Where these meet, it seems apparent that they were not formed together. The granite is gently rolling and the sediment is clearly laid down later, because they do not fit well. Was the surface of the earth “planed” off by a surge of water from the oceans? If the sedimentary rock was laid down over time, then what about the natural top soil that should have covered the granite bedrock? What about natural features like streams, lakes, plants and animals that are missing. The fossils are found in the sedimentary layers.

Which brings us to the fossils. Marine fossils are found in all of the layers. How can this be? Especially if the layers are laid down over millions of years. In Genesis 6:17 God says: “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every crea

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Is the Noahide Flood Real, continued ture that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” This could have been accomplished if the oceans were cast over the continents; washing all of the marine animals ashore and washing the land animals into the sea. This would also explain why there are marine animals in each layer of sediment if there were successive upheavals of the earth’s crust.

Another question is this: How did Mausosaurs get on land? They are very large sea creatures.

Another anomaly is the Grand Canyon. Deep cut canyons are a feature of the American West. We were told that the streams and rivers cut the canyons over millions of years. In our lifetimes most of the geologic features cut by water took place during floods and storms. Gradual water flows have never produced any geologic features anywhere that I have been. But, there is something more, I previously didn’t consider: cut banks cave. This is a topological term that mean when you cut through the soil the sides cave in. This is true of canyons, especially when millions of years are thrown in the balance. After millions of years and how many earthquakes, how can those beautiful canyon walls still stand the way that they do? After all it is only sedimentary rock.

I earlier mentioned that the layers are dated by the fossils and the fossils are dated by the layers. A convenient arrangement if you can get it. Is that the story those fossils are telling us? Why are dinosaur bones laid in beds of bones? It seems as if they were washed into place as flood debris. Why are the bones often times arranged with the bigger heavier bones at the base and the lighter weight bones towards the top? When the skeletons are intact, why are many of the dinosaurs in the drowning position? If the fossilized bones weren’t deposited by the flood, then why is there no evidence of weathering? On that point, why aren’t the bones of more modern animals fossilized? You don’t find evidence of squirrel, possum and raccoon bones in your back yard. Why are only the bones of certain creatures fossilized in locations where they seem to be washed ashore by floodwaters?

One thing which made me really curious was how did the flood cover the mountains? “For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet” (Gene-

sis 7:17-20). How did that happen? Then we find out that many of our mountains today were formed more recently. For instance, Mt Ararat where they suppose the ark came to rest is a volcanic mountain of recent origin. The ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, not specifically the one we call Ararat. Of the geologist interviewed in the presentation, “Is Genesis History?” they all talked about flood water recession causing upheaval on the earth’s crust. In Tennessee, many of the sedimentary rocks are bent and twisted. Some layers run nearly vertical. Something moved those layers. Something powerful, something violent. The prophet Isaiah saw something long ago that may explain some of what we see today. “The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken” (Isaiah 24:18-19). Is this the description of the Noahide flood? Is it a dual prophecy, one looking back for Noah and one looking future to us? This would seem to explain how post flood mountains do not contain evidence of the flood.

Many dismiss the Bible as a collection of archaic stories for a primitive people. Or, another favorite is that the Bible was written to control the people. Yet, over the course of my lifetime it is the people who scoff at the Bible who want to control everything. Watch the news. It is not so much an argument about what is in the geologic record, but rather what we see in it. Those who want no god, throw around the figures of millions of years to explain everything unexplainable. Where do they get those numbers? Where is the evidence for those numbers. I watched a debate once between Bill Nye, the Science guy and Ken Hamm, the creationist. Mr. Nye always answered the question of “how” by always repeating “what.” Nice work if you can get it.

What we see is not being debated. How it got there is the question. Was all of that sedimentary rock laid down over millions of years? If so where did all of that rock come from? At the Grand Canyon, from what location did all of that material come from? What location eroded to lay up that mile of sediment? Mountains erode, we can see that in TN. Then how can those canyon walls stand after millions of years? How can you have four major layers of sediment covering an entire continent with what seems to be knife edge boundaries of nearly uniform thickness continent wide. It would seem to me that the flood explanation makes a lot more sense.

Bill Shults is the Pastor of Hungry Hearts Ministries and Publisher of Pursuit. He also oversees the churches in Jackson, Murfreesboro and Cookeville TN and Corinth MS. Bill has also written eleven books on how to have a closer walk with Jesus Christ.

By: Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr.

When most people hear the word “Hanukkah”, they tend to think of it as only a Jewish tradition. However, the Hebrew word Hanukkah (or its alternative spelling Chanukkah) is found eight times in the Old Testament (Numbers 7:10-11, 84-88, 2 Chronicles 7:9, Nehemiah 12:27, Ezra 6:16-17, and Psalm 30:1). It means to be dedicated for a specific purpose. When we look at these references, we learn that many of them are connected to the Tabernacle or Temple. What about the celebration of Hanukkah? Where does it come from?

The origins of this special season are found in the book of Daniel chapter 11 (written in 6th century BC). Most of the chapter is focused on two Greek kingdoms. The Seleucid Kingdom was based out of modern-day Syria and the Ptolemaic Kingdom was based in modern-day Egypt. They are respectively called the Kingdom of the North and Kingdom of the South in Daniel 11. The land of Israel was between these two kingdoms.

In 175 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes became King of the North through intrigue and deception, but he was not the rightful heir to the throne (Daniel 11:21). In 168, he tried to invade the Kingdom of the South for the second time, but the Romans refused to allow it. Angered at this event, Antiochus decided to release his anger on the Jewish people.

When Antiochus approached Jerusalem, he presented himself in a peaceful manner. Once his army entered the city, they turned on the Jewish people. They killed many men and sold the women into slavery. He then defiled the Temple of God. He offered a pig on the altar of sacrifice. He had its blood spread inside the Temple and sprinkled on Torah scrolls. He ordered a statue of Zeus to be erected in the courtyards and had his own likeness carved into it. He declared himself ‘god manifest’. The true God foretold these events in Daniel 11:29-31.

Antiochus forced the Greek religion on the Jewish people and banned Biblical practices, including the Sabbath and reading of the Torah. He sent troops across the country to compel all the natives to sacrifice to idols and eat swine’s flesh. Those who would agree to betray

God were promised riches and positions of authority. Some people did compromise, and they were martyred by the thousands.

A priest named Mattathias started a courageous uprising against this assault. Even though he died during the war, his son Judas called Maccabeus (meaning ‘the hammer’) continued the fight. Those who joined their cause were named Maccabees after him. Despite being outnumbered and underequipped, the Jewish people won.

In 165, the Maccabees tried to re-take Jerusalem. Once they took the Temple area, their first act was to cleanse and dedicate it again unto God. They started the Temple dedication on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. This was the exact same day that it had been defiled three years earlier. They celebrated this dedication for eight days (I Macc. 4:56, 59). From that time until now, the Jewish people celebrate the victory of their people over the wickedness of Antiochus and the dedication of the Temple at Hanukkah.

There is a fascinating story concerning this cleansing of the Temple, which may or may not be true. As the people prepared to rekindle the menorah, they needed oil. Jewish legend says that they only found one clean jar with the high priest’s seal. Though it was only enough oil to last one day, the menorah then stayed lit for eight days!

In John 10:22-39, we learn that Jesus taught in the Temple area during Hanukkah. In this verse, the Greek word translated as “feast of Dedication” is egkainia, which means “in newness”. During it, he taught us that His sheep listen to His voice and that no one can pluck us from His hand. These are relevant lessons during this season.

Hanukkah has meaning for Christians today. First, Jesus taught us spiritual truths during that season. Second, the perseverance of the Jewish people during this time allowed the Old Testament to be preserved so that we Continued on Page 9

By: Eldress Jill Pettis

Most Americans are indoctrinated into celebrating Christmas annually between Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year. This is true whether you are raised in a Christian home or not. When you become aware of God’s Feasts and their significance, along with the two additional Biblical holidays of Hanukkah and Purim, the tendency is to make them like holiday celebrations already familiar to us. It can be a challenge to establish a Hanukkah celebration in your home and/or church without it becoming an alternative, or worse a look-alike, to Christmas.

In a nutshell, Hanukkah resulted when a small group of faithful Jews overthrew an oppressive ruler against all odds. Antiochus IV demanded that his subjects worship him. Not only did he refuse to allow Jews to worship according to God’s Laws, Statues and Commandments, he set himself up as the object of worship in their temple, going so far as to sacrifice a pig on the altar. Fear seized many of the Jews who preferred peace to protest, but the Maccabee family was furious over the sacrilege. Outnumbered, out-armed and against unbelievable odds, the clan, led by Judah Maccabee, defeated the armies of the Hellenistic king and regained control of the temple in Jerusalem. The miracle of the oil occurred because there was enough ritually purified oil for use in the temple menorah for one day, yet that one day supply burned for eight days while a new supply of oil was consecrated.

It should matter to all Christians that this victory against the antichrist government of Antiochus IV was a mere 150 years before the birth of Jesus Christ! This victory paved the way for Jesus to be born at a time when the Jews were free to have Biblical temple worship and the priesthood in place in Jerusalem. Jesus participated in the holiday celebration during his ministry on earth. As you discover ways to celebrate and honor Hanukkah, remember that you can easily share the elements of the celebration with others as a means of educating and encouraging them to seek out God’s Ways.

Hanukkah can fall anywhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it does occur during the time when

the vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. All of God’s Feasts and holidays should be family oriented, as well as joining the generations together in the celebration, but that can be easier said than done. I was raised in a Christian family with dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins, but my husband and children were the only ones to ever embrace Hanukkah, much less eliminate Christmas. At first, it was difficult not to make Hanukkah akin to a “Jewish Christmas.” As we expanded our celebration and matured in our understanding, Hanukkah has become a wonderful 8-day celebration of the “Festival of Lights,” easily shared with others and embraced by our daughter and grandson. Following are some ideas for how easily you can incorporate a Hanukkiah, special decorations, crafts, games and food/ fellowship into your Hanukkah celebration.

Hanukkah Lampstand

The light in the temple, on earth and in Heaven, is a 7-branched candlestick representing Jesus, correctly referred to as a Menorah. A type of lampstand is used to celebrate Hanukkah, but it has 9-branches, including a candle named the “shamash” which means “helper.” The shamash candle is given a place of prominence, either set apart, or made larger or higher than the other candles. This is the candle that is lit first, then used to light the other candles. These 9-branched lampstands are technically named Hanukkiahs. It’s important to understand the difference to make or purchase one for use in lighting the candles nightly during the Hanukkah celebration.

There is no limit to the number of Hanukkiahs you can have! We started celebrating when our oldest daughter was in 2nd grade, so our first Hanukkiah was one she made and painted from a kit. It is a treasure in our home. By the time our grandson came along, we attended a city-wide Hanukkiah lighting in front of the courthouse where we lived.

A craft table was set up where the children used a white glazed oblong tile that they decorated to their liking with press on jewels. Adults glued on hex flat head bolts the correct size to hold standard-sized Hanukkah candles (sold in boxes online and in many grocery or big box stores), with extra bolts glued on for the shamash to give the helper height and prominence. A quick search online will yield lots of creative ways to make a Hanukkiah, including ones made from wood, felt, paper or plastic pieces that can be used by children too young to properly handle fire. You will also find incredible Hanukkiahs for sale online that are works of art in themselves, so the possibilities are endless. We even have an electric Hanukkiah purchased from a national party supply store. As our collection has grown, the nightly lighting event has become more spectacular with so many flames reminding us of our Savior, who is the Light of the World! We also choose to sing our favorite songs after we light the Hanukkiah. Of course, those include traditional Hanukkah songs as well as Christian songs/hymns like “This Little Light of Mine,” “Praise to The Father of Lights,” or “The Light of the World is Jesus.” Each year, we look for new songs about His light to add to our repertoire.

Hanukkah Decorations

While the Hanukkiah remains the central focus of the decorations, few modern homes are equipped to have candles burning all night. One of our favorite decorations is to make a large Hanukkiah from construction paper chains, attaching flames each night that we print off our home computer. Each year, we purchase pre-cut construction paper strips from online retailers or school supply stores, helping younger children staple or tape them together to make the chains. Another reusable favorite is a full-sized window cling that we purchased online from a big box home improvement store. When installed on a window, the flames are covered with a peel-off light blocker. You simply peel off the flame covers each night at dusk. It is enjoyed from the outside of your home at night and from the inside during the day. Most craft stores, and all online party supply stores, sell a variety of smaller window clings, Hanukkiah headbands and or course, dreidels, which serve as both a decoration and activity.

Hanukkah Fellowship & Activities

A popular tradition at Hanukkah is a game called Dreidel. There is even an accompanying song! Dreidels are 4-sided spinning tops made from clay, wood or plastic. Tradition holds that the game originated during the reign of terror of Antiochus as a way to continue to teach children Torah and Hebrew during a time when both were outlawed. On each of the four sides of the dreidel are the letters N, G, H and S. These each represent the first letter of the words in the Hebrew saying “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened here.” You can easily find instructions on how to play online, but the main attraction for most is that winners score pieces of gelt, a coin shaped, gold or silver foil-wrapped piece of chocolate. Gelt can easily be given away, and since most are emblazoned with a Hanukkiah, these make great tools for sharing the story of Hanukkah with others. The dreidels and the gelt are decorations that are also games and refreshments. After all, food and great fellowship are inseparably linked.

Be creative! The more ownership your family takes in making this wonderful celebration special, the better memories you’ll create to last a lifetime. You can

come up with variations on popular games, possibly playing forms of Pictionary or Charades that utilize words or phrases associated with the Hanukkah story. The Maccabees defended themselves with swords and shields, so creating fun using those, either store bought or homemade, helps relate this historical event to the Biblical teaching of our spiritual armor.

Another way to celebrate would be to focus on the number of the days as they advance through the holiday, looking for ways to relate that number to either the Hanukkah story or other Bible references. For example, on Day 1 you could highlight the importance of one man, or one family like the Maccabees, choosing to take a stand for Truth and changing the course history. You could sing the “Shema” to be reminded “hear O Israel, the Lord Your God, the Lord is One.” Someone might recount that only one cleansed leper returned to thank Jesus for healing him in Luke 17. Perhaps a special treat could be offered to whoever has the most creative or impactful example each day?

Hanukkah Feasting

What’s not to love about a God who sets up multiple times each year for His people to have fun together celebrating and feasting? Hanukkah is no exception! Traditional foods to eat include brisket, latkes (fried potato pancakes), kugel (a noodle casserole that can be sweet or savory), doughnuts and decorated cookies in

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Hanukkah in your Home, continued the shape of dreidels or hanukkiahs. Search online to find traditional food recipes that suit your family.

Fried foods, like latkes and doughnuts, are part of the celebration giving remembrance to the miracle of the oil. My family adores Krispy Kreme doughnuts, so our Hanukkah celebration always includes at least one visit to the local store while their “Hot & Now” neon sign is lit. We also enjoy fried chicken and fish & chips as celebratory meals, preferring to eat those from restaurants, instead of making them at home. Although I have experimented with making latkes from scratch, I have had greater success using the box mixes from the grocery store. One of my culinary specialties is making homemade eggrolls, something we have now incorporated into our Hanukkah celebration. All the Hanukkah foods lend themselves well to parties, so it’s easy to pick a food theme for different nights and invite friends and family over for gatherings large or small.

Regarding gifts, our family has chosen to make the nightly celebrations our “gifts” to one another. We may share crafts or small token gifts with one another and our guests, but we have chosen not to have Hanukkah appear as a substitution/replacement for Christmas.

Use your imagination and your family’s preferences to make Hanukkah even more special at your house. Find age-appropriate books about the Maccabees to read to younger children and encourage older ones to explore the 1st & 2nd Books of Maccabees. While not included in the canon of scripture, they offer a historic account, with online versions available if your local library doesn’t have copies.

What is Hanukkah, continued could have it today. Third, the events of Hanukkah foreshadow future prophetic events that have yet to happen (Daniel 11:40-45, Zech. 9:9-13, 14:1-3, Matt. 24:15-19, 2 Thess. 2). Fourth, the events surrounding the Hanukkah story set the stage for the political and social background that would exist in Judea when Jesus walked on earth. Lastly, the Apostle Paul taught that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 3:15-16). This provides believers with a personal perspective of the Hanukkah story. This article provides a brief overview of the meaning of Hanukkah.

To read a fuller explanation of Daniel 11, see our Winter 2018 Pursuit article titled “Deciphering Daniel 11.” In the 2019 Winter Pursuit magazine article “The Hanukkah Miracle: Fact or Fiction?” we review the primary source evidence concerning the possible Hanukkah miracle.

May you and yours have a very Happy Hanukkah in your home!

By: Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr.

One of the festive times of the year to celebrate God’s faithfulness is called Hanukkah. During it, we remember how God delivered the Jewish people from overwhelming odds. We also remember the dedication of God’s Temple which occurred at that time. One lesson we learn from Hanukkah is not to trade the treasures of the Lord for the things of this world. This theme is found in the Bible and the Hanukkah story, and it has profound meaning for Christians today.

When the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, God gave them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. They were given gold, silver, clothing, and precious stones (Ex. 12:33-36). After they had successfully left Egypt and formed a covenant with God, He asked them to give a freewill offering to the Lord out of these treasures (Exodus 35:4-9). People willingly gave to this cause; they brought so much that they were told to stop giving (Ex. 36:1-6)!

This offering was used to build a Tabernacle to worship the Lord God of Israel. When we look at this structure, which is discussed in the book of Exodus, it had a divine outline to its set up. The Lord had expensive fixtures made to honor Him. The Altar of Sacrifice and Laver of Washing were made of bronze. The Table of Showbread, Menorah, Altar of Sacrifice, and Ark of the Covenant were made using gold. These were the original treasures that would be used to honor God.

Many years later, God revealed to King David another structure that was to be built called the Temple. It would be much larger and more intricate than the Tabernacle. While God would not allow David to construct it because he was a man of blood, God still revealed the appearance and arrangement of it to him.

David also gathered much of the material needed for its construction. At the end of First Chronicles, David and other Israelites devoted thousands of pounds of gold, silver, bronze, and other items for this project (see I Chron. 29:1-7). There was so much material that they had to build storehouses to hold all of it. Furthermore, there would be peace under the reign of David’s

son Solomon. As devoted things were brought to the Temple, such as the tithe of tithe (Numbers 18:26-28), They needed somewhere to store it all. These special storehouses were placed around the outside of this new Temple/

“And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things…The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD” (I Chron 26:20, 22).

The treasures set up during this time were protected. While Solomon started out doing the right thing, we learn that he gradually went astray (I Kings chapters 10-11). He turned away from God and worshiped other gods. After he died, God took 10 of the tribes away from his son Rehoboam and gave them to Jeroboam (I Kings chapter 12). What happened to all the treasures and dedicated things during the reign of Rehoboam?

I Kings chapter 14, we learn that Rehoboam went astray from God. Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and took treasures away from the Lord’s house and from Rehoboam’s personal storehouse. “And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made” (I Kings 14:26).

The next King of Judah was Asa. According to I Kings 15:11-15, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed many the sinful items that Rehoboam had set up. However, he did not remove the high places. He also dedicated treasures which his dad refused to give to the Lord God. Unfortunately, things changed.

In, I Kings 15:16-19, we learn that Asa voluntarily took the Lord’s devoted things and his own personal treasures and gave them to a Gentile king to attack the norther tribes of Israel. He compromised the Lord’s treasures to get security from an enemy and attack his brothers. Asa did not trust God. Because of this trans Continued on Page 12

Hungry Hearts Ministries

One of the purposes of Hungry Hearts Ministries is to provide resources for believers to learn more about Jesus (or Yeshua, in Hebrew), and His word, the Bible.

We believe that the Bible is truth and that living according to Torah is the beginning of this truth, which allows us to grow spiritually These resources are designed to facilitate this growth.

Rise and Shine Like the Stars

Jesus Christ has placed spiritual star power within the heart of every Believer. Learn how to make use of this power from God to overcome sin, live a more fulfilling life and worship Jesus more intensely. Learn how to open up Spiritual power in your life. Learn how to love your trials as they refine your soul. Learn the true heavenly wealth of the treasure you hold within your body of clay.

Pastor Bill Shults has been serving the Lord as a Sabbath-keeper for 34 years. He is the Founder of Hungry Hearts Ministries with three churches statestide and missions in Kenya and India. The ministry hosts a variety of feast celebrations in Tennessee. He is also a gifted author of books, articles, and pamphlets.

In addition to our quarterly Pursuit magazine, we offer:

• Books and CDs available through our website and Amazon

• Free Booklets available through our website in PDF format or in print, by request

• Sabbath Sermons available live on RevMedia every Saturday at 3pm/4pm Central/Eastern and later on Youtube

Ancient Roman Celebrations & their Adaptations by Early Christians

Today many Christians around the world consider December and early January to be a festive season. This includes the specific celebrations of December 25 and January 1. Did you know that the earliest Christians did not observe these days? In the first several centuries after Christ’s coming, events occurred that changed Christianity. In this book, you will learn the history behind these celebrations and how they were adopted from Roman culture.

Evangelist Kelly McDonald, Jr. currently serves at the President of the Bible Sab bath Association (BSA) in addition to a variety of roles at Hungry Hearts Ministries. He is a prolific author of books, articles, and blogs. He has been preaching for 13 years and is available to speak at your church upon request.

The Feast of Tabernacles 2021

Don’t Trade God’s Treasures, continued gression, he faced warfare the rest of his life.

The same thing happened later in the time of Joash. While he started out on the right track, he eventually turned away from the Lord. In 2 Kings 12:17-18, we learn that he was attacked by a foreign enemy. Instead of repenting and calling on God, he surrendered the Lord’s dedicated things to a Gentile king to prevent further conflict.

Amaziah was the son of Joash; he walked right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as David. He left the high places up and people continued to offer incense and sacrifices there (violating Lev. chapter 17). He hired some of the northern tribes as mercenaries. God was displeased with this and told him to send them home even with their pay. Later, some of those troops pillaged portions of Judah.

In 2 Chron. 25:13-15, Amaziah got bitter about this situation and started worshiping the gods of Edom. Then he decided that he would challenge Jehoash, king of the northern tribes. However, he was badly defeated because pride got in the way. Amaziah wanted to show his strength and not that of God. It was a costly move as Jehoash took gold and silver from the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 14:13-14).

Ahaz was the next king we will discuss. He worshiped other gods and he even sacrificed a son in the fire. He was attacked and sent for the King of Assyria to protect him. “And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria” (2 Kings 16:8). He used the Lord’s dedicated things and his personal treasures to try and buy protection during his time of disobedience. It represented a total disregard for the dedication and obedience of previous generations. These same mistakes happened to other kings like Hezekiah and Jehoiachin.

These examples give us a pattern in the Bible where the Lord’s people gave away His dedicated things to other gods and other people. We see this same pattern as we study the Hanukkah story.

The events leading up to the fulfillment of Hanukkah occur in Daniel chapter 11. Most of this chapter deals with the King of the North and the King of the South. To learn more about this, read the article “What is Hanukkah?” in this edition of Pursuit.

Antiochus III was one King of the North who is discussed in Daniel 11:13-19. He fought an unsuccessful war with the Romans, which caused a large tax to be placed upon him and his successors.

After his death, the kingdom of the north fell to his son Seleucus IV (187-176 BC). Heliodorus was his treasurer, and he was sent out to raise money to help offset the money owed to the Romans. He went so far as to even try and take money from the Temple in Jerusalem, but he was unsuccessful. Seleucus was eventually assassinated by Heliodorus. This was prophesied in Daniel 11:20.

“His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.”

In 175 BC, Antiochus IV became King of the North. He was a shrewd man who was bent on doing whatever he could for power and prestige. At this time, the rightful high priest of the Jewish people was Onias III. In 173, he was deposed from the priesthood by a proGreek party called the Tobiads. Jason, who bribed Antiochus, was given the position. Two years later, Jason was overthrown by Menelaus, who paid even more to receive the position of high priest. He also took sacred vessels from the Temple of God and give them to Syrian nobles in return for their support.

About this same time, Antiochus invaded Egypt, but failed to completely conquer it. Rumors spread that he had been killed in battle and the Jewish people kicked Menelaus out of office. During his journey from Egypt, Antiochus stopped at Jerusalem to reinstate Menelaus.

Antiochus entered the Temple precincts, plundered the treasures of the Lord’s dedicated things and carried away some of the holy temple furniture, including the golden table of showbread. After defiling the temple, Antiochus returned to his capital, Antioch. This was prophesied by God in Daniel 11:22, 28:

“22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. ….28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.”

In 168, Antiochus had a second failed invasion of Egypt. Angered by this disappointment, he went to Jerusalem a second time and betrayed the Jewish people. Among his heinous acts were the abomination that makes des-

“Do we give up the treasures of the Lord for something else?”

olate. He set up a statue of Zeus in the Temple of God and then had his face carved on the image. He sacrificed a pig on the altar and spread its blood in the Temple. He also declared himself ‘god manifest’.

His generals offered gold, silver, other treasures, and positions of leadership to any Jewish people who compromised their religion (I Macc. 2:15-21). What were they really asking him to do? They were asking him to compromise their spiritual treasures to have security in this world (in the eyes of man).

The Jewish people rebelled against the rule of Antiochus. They fought back and won! Three years after the initial defilement, the people reconquered the Temple area. Among their first actions was to cleanse the Holy area, reinstitute worship of God and refurbish it with treasures (I Maccabees 4:36-59).

But there is a deeper meaning to all the knowledge and understanding we have gained thus far. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are the Temple of God because His Spirit dwells within us (I Cor. 3:15-16). We accumulate spiritual treasures as we overcome sin, have precious moments of comfort from Him, persevere through trials by His assistance, make the right decisions through His leading and power, and serve the King with spiritual gifts from Him. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7, we have this treasure in earthen vessels; our spiritual treasures originate from the Holy Spirit within us.

Like the kings of old and the Maccabees, we must guard our Temple and the treasure within it. When the warfare from satan or our own sinful desires comes – do we escape into something? Social Media? Pornography? Politics? Conspiracies? Sinful habits? Breaking commandments and mistreating others?

Do we give up the treasures of the Lord for something else? The kings of Judah left the high places intact rather than destroying them; these were places where people worshiped other gods. Do you have a high place – an attitude, lust, wound, greed, or covetousness – you visit to escape from the reality of God’s purpose for your life? We cannot have victory in Christ until we have disposed of our high places. They betray His precious treasure.

Rehoboam had treasures TAKEN from the Temple because he sinned! He lowered the standard! When we lower the standard for whatever justification may exist, then we are giving away precious treasures and memories that we had with the Lord. Do we live like a Christian when we are in private, or do we have pet sins that we want to keep hidden from others? Do the Ten Commandments mean anything to you, or do you cherry pick them so that you only do that which is con-

venient? Is your focus on loving God and other people?

Asa voluntarily took the Lord’s devoted things and even his own personal treasures and gave them to a Gentile king to attack his brothers. Are you living in spite, envy, jealousy, bitterness, or hatred towards your brother or sister in Christ? If so, then you are giving away the treasures of the Lord to the enemy.

Fear or laziness motivated some kings to give away the dedicated things. Instead of repenting and calling upon the Lord, they just gave up the Lord’s treasures. Are you afraid to lose things like friends, jobs, possessions for the sake of Christ? Jesus taught us to be willing to forsake all to follow Him (Matthew 10:37-39, Matthew 19:29). Are we afraid to lose our ‘kingdom’ rather than seek His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)? This leads to compromise and/or appeasement.

Some people want to avoid conflict with the enemy (satan) or their sinful nature. Sometimes people compromise or appease the enemy or their flesh to avoid confronting their own sin. “I don’t feel like fighting”; “I don’t want to deal with this any more”; or “its easier to stay where I’m at.”

Some of the kings of Judah we looked at in this article struggled with pride. They tried to show off and be great in the eyes of other people. This happened with Amaziah. Menelaus went as far as to give the vessels used to worship God to the enemy to gain position. The devil will honor you in the flesh if it gets you to give up the Lord’s treasures.

For you and your life – is it all about what you are on earth? How you look to others? How many facebook friends you can get? How many likes you can get? How invested are you in this world? How invested are you in the age to come?

If you have turned away, then just remember that you can repent. Through God, we have spiritual weapons to destroy strongholds within us (2 Cor. 10:3-5). You can go back and start storing up treasures in His Temple just like the days of old. Let’s dedicate the Temple of God and protect the precious treasures of the Lord. If we will dedicate ourselves to Him in this life, there will be laid up for us great treasure for all eternity.

“…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…” (Matthew 6:20-21)

By: Deaconess Sarah Raynor

Hanukkah has many meanings. We celebrate it specifically to commemorate a surprising victory of the Maccabees over 2,000 years ago. We celebrate it more generally to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5).

On the first day of creation, God created light (Genesis 1:3). That light was the first thing that God called “good” (Genesis 1:4). Then, God separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4), and He has been separating things for us ever since—good from evil, righteousness from sin, and holiness from uncleanness.

The Hebrew word for light is “or,” and it is spelled with three Hebrew letters, aleph, vav, resh (Strong). Each Hebrew letter started as a pictograph, and those pictures help us understand the meaning of the word. An aleph is an ox head and represents God. The vav is a nail, securing or establishing something. The resh is a head, referring to the top or the beginning. Therefore, we can conclude from the Hebrew that light, indeed, was established in the beginning by God.

One English word that comes from the Hebrew word or is aura, which is the light or quality that both surrounds and is generated by people. Or is also the source of the English word orientation. Another Hebrew word uses the same root as or is ro-eh. It means to see and translates into seer or prophet (Hebrew).

The connection between light and seeing is not limited to Hebrew. We also see this in science. A simple definition of light is that it is a form of radiation that can be seen by the human eye and carries energy. Light has two basic functions. First, it is the only way food is generated for almost all life on Earth. Second, light is also what lets us see around us, and light is what allows us to see in color (Light).

Both the Hebrew and our understanding of science allow us to see a connection between the natural and the supernatural. Light gives us direction based on an orientation. Light allows us to see and understand. And we must have light to live and grow. There is a connec-

tion between God and man, and that is literally brought to life by the Holy Spirit breathed into us.

The orientation that the light provides is found in our Bibles. There are so many verses that reveal this simple truth: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalms 119:105). We are taught to “walk in the light of The LORD” (Isaiah 2:5). We find more clarity about this in Proverbs. “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light” (Proverbs 6:23).

It is Jesus’ Law that gives us our orientation. The light of His law governs us just as His lights governs the day and night (Genesis 1:16; Exodus 13:21; Nehemiah 9:12; Psalm 78:14, 105:39, 136:7-9).

Jesus’ Law can most easily be summarized by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). It is a basic list of what we should do, and how we can live our life to honor Jesus. In Hebrew, there are no number characters. Instead, each letter of the alphabet has a numerical value. As I discussed earlier, the Hebrew letters started out as pictographs, and those pictures give us insight into each commandment.

One is represented by the Hebrew letter aleph—it looks like an ox head, and it represents God. God is one, and first is God. Hence, we have the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

The number two is the Hebrew letter bet, and it is represented by a house. If we want our house to serve God, then we will not make any idols nor any images of anything in heaven or earth (Exodus 20:4-6).

Number three is the Hebrew letter gimmel. It is a picture of something lifted up, as in self-will or pride. Isn’t it a prideful action to misuse the name of God? Of course, taking the name of God in vain is the third commandment (Exodus 20:7).

Dalet is the Hebrew letter for four, and it is symbolized by a door. God provides a door for us to access Him

each Sabbath, so we can rest from our work and rest in Him. So, the fourth commandment is about remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).

The number five is the Hebrew letter hey, and it means to show or reveal. The relationship between our parents and us parallels the relationship between God and man. It makes sense then, that the fifth commandment is to honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12).

Vav is the Hebrew letter for six, and is a nail, where something becomes bound. All humans are made in God’s image, so humans have special value. Because of this, we are not to murder (Exodus 20:13).

The number for seven is the Hebrew letter zayin. It is represented by a weapon that cuts or pierces. It is not difficult to understand that unfaithfulness in marriage is an act that cuts trust and pierces the heart of your spouse. That is why the seventh commandment warns us to not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).

The Hebrew letter chet is the number eight. It is an inner room meaning to protect. It is appropriate to protect ourselves, our family, and our possessions, and respect boundaries of others. Therefore, the eighth commandment instructs us to not steal (Exodus 20:15).

Tet is the Hebrew letter for nine. It is a snake, and the pictograph shows the snake twisting. Lies and false testimony twist the truth, and the ninth commandment teaches us to not give false testimony against our neighbor (Exodus 20:16).

Finally, the Hebrew letter for ten is yod. Yod is a hand, and represents a deed done. Every day, we have a choice as to what to do with our hands—the deeds and works of our hands can be productive, and for the good, or they can do evil. This is why the tenth commandment reminds us to not covet anything belonging to our neighbor (Exodus 20:17).

By following these ten rules, we can stay on the narrow path and keep our orientation. All we have to do is keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus is also the source of our spiritual food. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

Jesus fed Adam and Eve in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. The trees were both pleasing to the eye and good for food (Genesis 2:8-9)—another connection between seeing and food.

With a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, Jesus led the Israelites out of Egypt and fed them manna in the desert (Exodus 16:4-36). The Israelites saw His light and ate His food until they could reach the promise land. When Jesus first mentions the promise land, He describes it is a “good and large land”—something that could be seen—as well as “a land flowing with milk and honey” — referencing the provision of food (Exodus 3:8).

When Jesus taught His disciples about communion at Passover, He was instructing them about this spiritual food (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:1920; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 10:1617, 11:23-32).

Jesus will also feed us again in the age to come by feeding us from the tree of life and hidden manna (Revelation 2:7, 17).

Once we have fed on the spiritual truths in the Bible, then we can fulfill the idiom, “you are what you eat”. Spiritual food is what allows us to have the fuel to do what Jesus commanded: “Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

As you celebrate Hanukkah this year, and reflect on the light that Jesus brings, I hope you chose to fan His light into a burning flame.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and The LORD’s glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but The LORD will arise on you and His glory shall be seen on you” (Isaiah 60:1-2).

References

All Bible verses are from Kingdom Life Version: Old and New Testaments with Text Notes and Words of Jesus in Red Letters, 1st Edition, Public Domain. Chaim & Laura. “Word Study—Light—Noohra (Aramaic) ‘Or (Hebrew). Chaim BenTorah: Biblical Hebrew Studies. www.chaimbentorah.com. 18 July 2021.

“Hebrew Word of the Day: Light.”

https://hebrew.jerusalemprayerteam.org. 18 July 2021.

“Light (Or), the Ancient Hebrew Meaning.” https://kaylended.wordpress.com. 18 July 2021. “Light Energy.” https://byjus.com. 18 July 2021.

Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. Hendrickson Publishers, 2009.

By: Elder Joe Perry

Time of the Judges Biblical Archeology Corner: Part III

In the last edition of Pursuit, we saw that Gideon had rallied the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Naphtali and Zebulon against the Midianites and Amalekites who had camped on the Plain of Jezreel. Gideon, however, was not yet ready to assume the mantle of leadership that Adonai was bestowing upon him. He asked God for further proof. “Behold I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me... And it was so...” (Judg. 6:37-38).

Yet Gideon was not totally satisfied. He asked Adonai for one more sign, a reversal of the process: dry ground, wet fleece. The Lord could have burned with anger, but instead He displayed the patience He often asks of us. He performed the second miracle and now Gideon was emboldened to act. He moved his 32,000-man army to within striking distance of the Midianite forces and took a position at the spring of Harold which lay just south of the Midianite encampment.

Now another problem arose. Gideon had too many soldiers. Adonai wanted to show that it was by His power that victory was attained so he took measures to reduce the size of Jerubbaal’s (Gideon’s) army. Twenty-two thousand who had no stomach for battle were allowed to leave. That left ten thousand, but it was still too many. “So he (Gideon) brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon ‘You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink’” (Judg. 7:5).

It turned out that only three hundred men lapped their water and so that became the final size of Gideon’s army. What was special about who lapped their water as opposed to those who knelt? Soldiers kneeling to drink put themselves in a vulnerable position, while warriors standing and lapping were more alert to any enemy threat. These picked three hundred were superior troops. There would be no question over who orchestrated the Israelite victory that followed. It would be a display of the might and power of their Elohim that gave the battle to Gideon and his army.

It would be the most unorthodox victory recorded in the Bible and perhaps in all of human history, save for Armageddon. The enemy were “as numerous as locusts” (Judg. 7:12). Gideon divided his three hundred troops into three groups and armed them with shofar and pitchers containing torches. Surrounding the camp of the Midianites and their allies, Gideon and his men broke their pitchers and sounded their shofars while shouting “a sword for the Lord and for Gideon”.

Then “the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army” (Judg. 7:20,22), and the army fled as far as Beth-Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the edge of Abel-meholah by Tabbath. While the exact location of Beth Shittah is unknown, Zererah is modern Tell Umm Hamad. Abel Meholah, modern Khirbet Tell el-Hilu, is just west of the Jordan across from Tabbath. Archaeological excavations at Tell Umm Hamad have confirmed that the site was settled in the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age time periods which corresponds to the chronology of the Book of Judges.

While two Midianite leaders, Oren and Zeeb, were killed during the pursuit, others remained. The Ephraimites, who were not at the initial battle, were angry with Gideon because they had not been called upon to participate in that fray. Gideon, displaying the wisdom worthy of a judge, mollified them by pointing out that they had won the greater glory by killing the aforementioned Midianite commanders. Nonetheless, when it came time to cross the Jordan the Ephraimites dropped out, leaving Gideon to go on with just his three-hundred man force in pursuit of the remaining Midianites.

They crossed the Jordan into the lower Jabbok River Valley and had not gone five miles when they came to the settlement of Succoth (Modern Tell Deir ‘Alla). Tired and hungry, Jerubbaal asked the residents for rations for his troops. They refused, apparently wary of the wrath the Midianites would inflict on them if Gideon’s small army were defeated. The same response was given to Gideon at a point seven miles farther at Penial, modern Tulul edh-Dha-hab. Gideon’s response in both

cases was to threaten both towns with punishment after completion of his pursuit. The citizens of Succoth would be thrashed “with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers”, while the denizens of Penuel would have to watch Gideon “tear down [their] tower” (Jud 8:6).

What is remarkable about this thrust across the Jordan “is the very evident spirit of regionalism that had developed in Israel...a spirit that reflected a breaking down of any sense of brotherhood or tribal cohesion” (Merrill, 187). Succoth and Penuel were Israelite towns settled by the Gadites. In Num. 32:20-27 and Josh. 22:13-20, Moses and Joshua had expressed concerns over the idea of tribes settling east of the Jordan.

“The river was not only a physical boundary, but also a psychological and philosophical barrier. The seeds of Israelite disintegration were beginning to germinate” (ibid). They would play out in the decades and centuries ahead.

Despite their difficulties, Gideon and his small band continued eastward and found their foes at Qarqar, which is deep in the desert more than sixty miles east of the Dead Sea. There the last 15,000 Midianites under the command of Zebah and Zalmunna were encamped. The Israelites launched their attack when their enemies were “unsuspecting” (Judg. 8:11). Routing the Midianite army, Gideon captured and slew both Zebah and

Zalmunna in retaliation for the deaths of his brothers at the hands of these Midianite kings. He then dealt out the promised punishments to both Succoth and Penuel. The former had their elders thrashed while the latter saw its tower toppled.

Upon returning to his home in Ophrah, Gideon was offered the kingship. This is the first recorded instance of Israelites expressing the idea of a human monarchy. Gideon turned down the offer, not wishing to reject the divine rule of Adonai. To his detriment, though, he allowed an ephod to be made from Midianite booty to be placed in his hometown. “And all Israel played the harlot with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household” (Judg. 8:27). Even Gideon, perhaps the most renowned of all the judges, was not immune to making poor choices that led that to ill consequences.

Although archaeological evidence for specific judges is thin at best, a recent discovery of an inscription excavated at Khirbet al Ra’i, thought by some to be Biblical Ziklag, pertains to Gideon. The inscription contains the first ever usage of the name “Jerubbaal” found at an archaeological dig. Although the inscription does not refer to Gideon specifically, it does date from the same time-period and shows that the Bible does preserve actual names from the time of the Judges. While Jerubbaal literally means “May Ba’al be great” the early Israelites probably used it to mean “may the Lord be

Continued on Page 20

The ‘Jerubbaal’ inscription, written in ink on a pottery vessel, discovered at Khirbet el Rai. (Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

The Hebrew word Shema/עַמְׁש is Strong’s entry H8085. Shema is a root word translated, in scripture, as to hear (intelligently), to listen to, to obey, to yield to. To “shema” is far more than allowing something to go in one ear and out the other. It means that we take heed to what is being said, and then we act on it.

We cannot speak about the word, shema, without looking at the perfect example found in Deuteronomy chapter 6. Moses speaks authoritatively to Israel. He starts by informing the people that these are not his words; they are what God has commanded him to say (same Hebrew word used when the commandments were given in Exodus 20–see verse 6).

In Deuteronomy, chapter 6, Moses reminds the people of the blessings of obedience, and then he proceeds to speak a declaration that would remain on the lips of God’s people throughout the ages, even today. The declaration is called The Shema. The Shema is a powerful, and yet, foundational declaration of faith. In verse 4, it says, Shema, Y’israel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.

Hear, O Israel, The LORD our God, The LORD is One.

In this scripture, we see the importance of what the word shema means. We, His people, are to recognize that there is one true God and Who He is. We make a declaration that says He is our God. The One God is our God, so what does that mean for us? Moses speaks to this relevance as the chapter progresses.

If the people were to truly shema or hear, then they would listen to the instruction and take action—action that demanded a lifestyle unlike the nations that were

around them. This would be critical to pass the faith from one generation to the next. If we truly shema by reading the words and heeding the instruction, we will take action—action that demands a committed lifestyle unlike that of the “world” around us.

Here is something you may find interesting. When The Shema is written or printed, two of the letters are written larger than the other letters. One is the ayin (similar to a y) in the first word—reading right to left. The second is the dalet (the very last letter in the last word)—again, reading right to left. This emphasis is to ensure the correct word is used and understood when writing and reading. This is important because a slight deviation makes all the difference.

If the ayin were to be written as an aleph (similar in sound), the meaning would change to perhaps—introducing doubt. If the dalet were to be written as a resh (similar in appearance), the new word would mean another. These small differences make for huge changes. One introduces doubt, and the other infers that there is more than one God. Consequently, care is taken in the transcribing—just as great care should be taken in how we live our lives; we listen, hear, and take action demonstrating obedience.

This word, shema, is used throughout scripture. On some occasions, it is part of an account where someone took heed, yielded, and acted. In other accounts, it is used when someone did not. Genesis 42 provides another example when shema is used, but in this example, the hearers did not yield to the instruction. Jacob’s sons had traveled to Egypt for food during a famine. Unknowingly, they encountered their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery years before (Gen 37:18-36).

Now, Adonai had brought Joseph out of slavery, and he was in authority over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. In chapter 42, the brothers find themselves in

a distressing situation and believe it is because of their own guilt concerning Joseph long ago. In verse 22, Reuben basically said, “I told you so!” He saw this situation unfolding because his brothers did not listen and take heed to his words (verse 22). Here in verse 22, he used shema. They did not listen and follow instruction. While the sons were guilty of a terrible crime against their brother, we know that Adonai turned this situation around for His own purpose (Gen 50:20).

Conversely, in Genesis 26, Adonai appeared to Isaac in Gerar; He told him to stay in that land and not to go to Egypt. In doing so, God would be with him and establish His covenant with him, as He did with his father, Abraham. In verse 5, Adonai goes further to explain why this is happening, “because Abraham obeyed Me and fulfilled his duty to Me, and kept My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” The word, obeyed, is Strong’s H8085 (shema).

Abraham listened to what God asked of him, and he took the appropriate action; he was obedient. Isaac had seen his father’s faith in action, firsthand, and Isaac had experienced God’s deliverance (Gen 22). Isaac followed his father’s example. He listened to what was being offered to him, and he acted on it by choosing to stay in Gerar. Isaac’s faith and his ability to listen and obey earned him a place as one of the fathers (Exodus 4:5).

In Hebrew, shema is spelled עַמְׁש, shin-mem-ayin. Each Hebrew letter carries its own meaning.

• The shin (שְׁ) is the twenty-first letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. It is known to represent teeth, to press, consume, return, and steadfastness. When considering the letter shin, it is also associated with some beautiful Hebrew words: shuvah/ penitence, shalom/peace, Shabbat/Sabbath, and Shaddai (which is the name for God that indicates He nourishes and completes our wholeness).

• The mem (מַ) represents water, cleansing. And while water represents the spring of His written Word (Ephesians 5:26), it also represents His Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-27 and John 7:37-39). The letter mem is associated with the word makom, meaning place. This is even referred to, by some, as one of God’s names. There is scriptural reason for seeing

God as a place. We call Him our hiding place, our refuge, our sanctuary. Consider Psalms 139:7-12 when David acknowledges, to God, his understanding that God is everywhere and will lead him in the highest, lowest, darkest and brightest place; it is all the same to Him. He is the safest place we can be.

• Ayin (ע)means eye.

In looking at the letters that form shema and considering the meaning of the letters, how is the word best, most positively understood? Perhaps we can say that when we truly shema His Words, we take them in, press into them, consume them, and make them part of ourselves. When we do this, His Holy Spirit empowers us to live by His instructions and commandments, and we are kept clean in this obedience. This is not hard to do!

Remember, Moses said, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it” (Deut. 30:11-14). This is what The LORD has called us to; this is what it means to Shema!

References

Large Letters in Shema https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1019954/jewish/ WhY-the-LargE-LetterS.htm.

“The Ancient Hebrew Alphabet.” Ancient Hebrew Research Center, www.ancient-hebrew.org/ancient-alphabet/shin.htm. Accessed 18 May 2021.

Benner, Jeff. “The Ancient Hebrew Alphabet.” Shin, Ancient Hebrew Research Center, www.ancient-hebrew.org/ancient-alphabet/ shin.htm.

God And Moses. “Genesis 26 (NASB).” Bible Gateway, Lockman Foundation, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+26&version=NASB. Accessed 21 July 2021.

God And Moses. “Deuteronomy 30 (NASB).” Bible Gateway, Lockman Foundation, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30&version=NASB. Accessed 21 July 2021.

Did You Know?

Jesus quotes the Shema (עַמְׁש) in Mark 12:29.

Biblical Archeology Corner, continued great” referring to Adonai.

Following this decisive victory over the Midianites, the land had peace for forty years until the death of Gideon. He was no sooner dead, however, and the people forgot Adonai. Instead, they once again began to worship the Baals, in particular Baal-berith. Abimelech, Gideon’s son by a Shechemite concubine, convinced his mother’s relatives to support his plot to become king. They funded his hiring of “worthless and reckless fellows” (Judg. 9:4), to help carry out his nefarious schemes. To establish his claim to the throne, he and his minions killed all seventy of Jerubbaal’s sons except Jotham, the youngest, who was able to escape the fratricide.

While Gideon refused the kingship when so offered, the Shechemites at least were accepting of his son Abimelech’s ascension to power. Jotham, however, was not content to let Abimelech reign. He predicted that the alliance of Abimelech and Shechem would fail because of their sinister actions. Indeed, after three years “God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech” (Judg. 9:23). They turned on each other. A third party, Gaal the son of Ebed, tried to take advantage of the situation and seize control of the city. However, the Shechemites were able to maneuver Abimelech into disposing of the would-be usurper. He then attacked the city and destroyed it and its inhabitants. Shechem’s leaders were able to escape into the temple of Baal-berith, but Abimelech burned it down, killing a thousand people who had sought refuge there.

Apparently, the rebellion against the king had spread as Abilelech next attacked Thebez (Tubas) some nine miles north of Shechem. While attempting to burn down the citadel “a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull” (Judg. 9:53) and ended the first attempt at monarchical rule in Israel.

The short list of places in this episode of Judges “makes it clear that [Abimelech’s] reign was limited not only in years but also in geographical extent” (Merrill, 189). His reach did not extend beyond the borders of the tribe of Manasseh. There is no evidence that any other tribes were interested in making him their king. “Israel as a whole was not ready for monarchy or at least not the kind that Abimelech could offer” (ibid).

The city of Shechem (today’s Tell Balata) has a long and storied history in the books composing the Holy Hebrew Bible. Jacob had built a well there and Joseph was buried there. Joshua addressed the people before sending them to their inheritance. The site is known to-

day and there have been numerous excavations in that place. Archaeologists have established that there was settlement at Shechem from the earliest times up until the Hellenistic period. The city suffered destruction on several occasions including one that occurred about 1100 B.C. which corresponds to the time of the Judges and Abimelech. Among the finds at this rich site is the remains of the fortress temple of Baal-Berith. It covered an area of 70 ft. By 86 ft. and was multi storied; it was large enough to hold the thousand Shechemites burned to death by Abimelech. A large rectangular altar stood in the courtyard in front of the temple. A socket big enough to hold a standing stone (masseba in Hebrew) was found east of the altar. Judges 9:6 states that “the men of Shechem and all Beth-millo assembled together and they went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar which was in Shechem.” This courtyard, next to the most prominent building in the city, was likely the location of the anointing of Abimelech as king.

Although Shechem rose again from the ashes, the temple was never rebuilt. The area was subsequently used for grain storage. The center of later Israelite worship of Adonai was located at Shiloh.

Gideon was gone. Israel again wallowed in the worship of false gods, but there were more judges yet to come. Join us in the next issue of Pursuit magazine to learn more about the time of the Judges!

References

Campbell, Edward E. “Shechem”. Stern, Ephraimites ed. The New Encyclopedia Of Archaeological Excavations In The Promised Land. 5 Vols. New York, 1993.

Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests, A History Of Old Testament Israel. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids, MI, 2008.

New American Standard Bible. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, Revised Edition. Chattanooga, 2008.

Stager, Lawrence E. The Shechem Temple. Shanks, Herbel ed. Biblical Archaeological Review. July/Aug, 2003

Archaeological Evidence Of Gideon The Judge? https//www.biblical archaeology.org

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