Archive for Garden of Eden

The Garment… Rodna Epley

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Rodna Epley with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 24, 2023 by paulthepoke

In the garden of Eden, God made male and female and clothed them in a garment of glory which is God Himself. They lost that glory garment when they sinned. Everyone born after the first couple was born without a glory garment.

Everything Jesus did was to put that glory garment back on us. We are to wear that garment now as we live. We were never meant to live apart from God and His glory.

When we try to, things don’t work. But when we live with Him in covenant relationship, and we activate His glory to shine on us, we walk every day carrying His presence into every realm where we place our feet. Darkness is driven away as easy as turning on a light switch in a dark room. Everything is effortless in the Father’s glory that Jesus died to give us.

Key indicators that the glory in us has been activated and is now abiding on us is perfect peace (no ripples on the pond), joy unspeakable because we’re full of His glory, and perfect love that drives out all fear.

Bloch

Colossians 1:27 “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Ephesians 5:14 “Therefore He says, ‘Wake up O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Matthew 17:2 “And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, to prevent “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,” from shining “on them.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…”

John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

John 17:22 “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:”

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me…”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

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A Simple Legal Argument

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Freedom in Christ with tags , , , , , , , , on May 15, 2022 by paulthepoke

Excerpts taken from The Gospel 33 AD by Paul Lehr.

At the core of the need for the gospel message is a simple legal argument and matter. God made this very clear from the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden. Listen and obey God’s directions. “Eat all you want except for one.” There are consequences. Some consequences are good and some are bad.

Genesis 2:16-17 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

As time progressed, Moses was given the Law for the nation of Israel on Mount Sinai. God communicated His Law to Moses approximately 3,600 years ago. These directions were given to Moses approximately 1,600 years before Christ. In total, there were 613 laws given. This number includes the Ten Commandments. Jews have even broken down the number of negative and positive commands. 365 are negative commands and 248 are positive commands. Read the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) of the Bible for these laws or mitzvoth (Hebrew term).

As far as God is concerned, there is no separation of moral and legal code. Culturally and legally the United States is different. We have a separation of church and state. That is not the intended case with God and His nation Israel.

Well so what if we break God’s Law? What is the big deal? Sin is a big deal to God. It does not matter the offense. If you break the law, the punishment is death. It does not matter if one steals, lies, commits murder or adultery, covets, or whatever. There are no “shades of grey” when it comes to sin. There is not a sliding scale for sin. One sin is not more condemning than another. If you break one, you break them all. That is God’s standard.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law…

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The critic often says, “Well, the Ten Commandments are in the Old Testament and we live during the church age in the New Testament. Jesus took care of the Law.”

A message for the critic, the Mosaic Law is still present whether you believe it or not. The issue is whether or not you have Jesus to cover your mess. The Mosaic Law and the Ten Commandments have not gone away. Jesus Himself made this very clear.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Jubilee, Part 7, Jesus the Kinsman Redeemer

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Gospel, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2021 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23-25 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land. If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

In the previous post it was discussed how Satan is currently in charge of the world. God has given him authority since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The world is leased to Satan. God holds the title.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/29/jubilee-part-6-satan-in-control-for-now/

Deuteronomy 10:14 The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

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God has the papers of ownership when it comes to the Earth.

Revelation 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

photo: Shutterstock

Leviticus 25:24 Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land…

God the Father has His price for the land of Earth. Because of sin, the land is cursed and there is a cost. God wants His payment in the currency of sacrificed, innocent blood.

~

Leviticus 25:25 If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

Adam lost the deed to the Earth because of sin. Adam was unable to pay the price with his guilty blood. No other person has been able to redeem the land since. All humanity is guilty and slaves to sin. We are unable to pay for the land. Humanity does not have access to the land deed until the scene in Heaven (Revelation 5). Jesus is fulfilling His role as a Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus is related to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). Jesus is a kinsman to the man, Adam, who lost the land.

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Revelation 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 

Jesus takes the book from God the Father. Jesus wants possession of the papers.

Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

The scene in Heaven (Revelation 5) is consistent with the customs of a Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 4). Both are conducted before the court and elders as witnesses before God. With His death, Jesus purchased humanity, His bride, from the bondage of sin. He has access to the scroll. Christ is sinless and innocent.

See Jeremiah 32:6-15 for land purchasing and redemption document customs. The conditions for the redemption of the Earth are Tribulation; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls…

Reference Material: God’s Final Jubilee, Dan Goodwin

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Jesus, a man, and His bride, the church, will fulfill God’s command in the Garden of Eden. 

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

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Jubilee, Part 5, Humanity Falls

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 14, 2021 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth.

Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).

Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/15/jubilee-part-4-return-to-your-land/

In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.

The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect. 

Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.

~

The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David. -Definitions per Strong’s Concordance

The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally, God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.

Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

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Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”

There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.

~

With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge. 

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 

Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.

In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.

In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us…

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Angels: Cherubim

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , on August 18, 2019 by paulthepoke

Genesis 3:24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

The Hebrew word for cherub is kerub: probably an order of angelic beings (Strong’s Concordance).

A form of the word “kerub” is referenced 91 times in the Old Testament per Strong’s. The derivation of the term is unknown. Cherub is the singular form and Cherubim is the plural form.

The first reference of the word cherubim is noted after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The context is that of judgment and protection. Fire is associated with the context indicating purification.

What are the physical characteristics of a cherub? They have wings and they can be a vehicle of transportation.

2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub and flew; He was seen on the wings of the wind.

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The Prophet Ezekiel probably provides the best eye witness account and physical description of cherubim in the Bible. Like the seraphim, cherubim are associated with burning coals. The coals purify and cleanse.

Ezekiel 10:2 And He said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.”

Cherubim have the ability to stand upright.

Ezekiel 10:3a Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the house…

Apparently, the wings of the cherubim are in constant motion and the noise created is loud. Scripture tells us God’s voice is comparable to rushing water or thunder.

Ezekiel 10:5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.

Like seraphim, heat and fire do not burn cherubim. They also appear to have hands like humans which are located under their wings.

Ezekiel 10:7-8 And a cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who took it and went out. The cherubim appeared to have the form of a human hand under their wings.

The facial structure and appearance of a cherub is different than a human. They are unique in their appearance. This distinction is made in the physical description of a “whirling wheel” below.

Ezekiel 10:14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was a human face, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

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Millennial Kingdom: Access to Wealth

Posted in Isaiah, Millennial Kingdom, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on July 31, 2016 by paulthepoke

A future Millennial Kingdom will have abundant food and economic prosperity. Somebody is going to have to plant, harvest, clean, package, distribute, and prepare all of this food. Finding work will not be a problem. Agriculture and related industry appear to play a significant role during this time. People will be living longer and the population is expected to explode accordingly.

Isaiah 30:23 Then He will give you rain for the seed which you will sow in the ground, and bread from the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plenteous; on that day your livestock will graze in a roomy pasture.

The Hebrew word for “bread” is lechem. It means: grain, food, or bread per Strong’s Concordance.  A farmer will plant the seed and many will harvest the crop. Grain will be stored, then transported for the production of food and bread. Look at the jobs created…farm equipment; roads built; construction; energy use and distribution; bakeries and bakers; grocery stores…you get the idea.

…the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plenteous…The Hebrew word for “rich” is the adjective dashen. It means: a substitute for fat or vigorous. The Hebrew word for “plenteous” is shamen. It means: fat, rich, robust. There are going to be a series of bumper crops.

…livestock will graze in a roomy pasture. The cattle, sheep, goats and such will have plenty of room to roam and a bounty of grains and grasses to feed.

Jeremiah 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, and they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD— Over the grain and the new wine and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd;, and they will never languish again.

The people of Israel are described as “radiant” or nahar in the Hebrew. This could also be translated and described as to shine, beam, light, or burn.

They are excited because of the “bounty” or goods, property, fairness, beauty, joy, and prosperity that comes from the LORD. He is the source. This is the best. It is appealing to the eye as well as the stomach. Listed in the verse are grapes, grains (barley and wheat are the primary crops in Israel), olives and its oil, and herds of healthy animals with offspring.

…and their life will be like a watered garden…The Hebrew word for “garden” is the same word used for the “Garden of Eden”. That garden in Genesis was created in perfection by God. The grammar talks about a water saturated garden. This place is not struggling for hydration like the desert that is Israel today.

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Jubilee, Part 7, Jesus the Kinsman Redeemer

Posted in Gospel, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2015 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23-25 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land. If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

In the previous post it was discussed how Satan is currently in charge of the world. God has given him authority since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The world is leased to Satan. God holds the title.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/29/jubilee-part-6-satan-in-control-for-now/

Deuteronomy 10:14 The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

God has the papers of ownership when it comes to the Earth. This is confirmed in Revelation 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

clayscroll

scroll: lds.org

Leviticus 25:24 Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land…God the Father has His price for the land of Earth. Because of sin, the land is cursed and there is a cost. God wants His payment in the currency of sacrificed, innocent blood.

Leviticus 25:25 If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold. Adam lost the deed to the Earth because of sin. Adam was unable to pay the price with his guilty blood. No other person has been able to redeem the land since. All humanity is guilty and slaves to sin. We are unable to pay for the land. Humanity does not have access to the land deed until the scene in Heaven (Revelation 5). Jesus is fulfilling His role as a Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus is related to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). Jesus is a kinsman to the man, Adam, who lost the land. Revelation 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Jesus takes the book from God the Father. Jesus wants possession of the papers.

Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

The scene in Heaven (Revelation 5) is consistent with the customs of a Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 4). Both are conducted before the court and elders as witnesses before God. With His death Jesus purchased humanity, His bride, from the bondage of sin. He has access to the scroll. Christ is sinless and innocent.

See Jeremiah 32:6-15 for land purchasing and redemption document customs. The conditions for the redemption of the Earth are Tribulation; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls…

Reference Material: God’s Final Jubilee, Dan Goodwin

Jesus, a man, and His bride, the church, will fulfill God’s command in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Leave a comment »

Jubilee, Part 5, Humanity Falls

Posted in Creation, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2015 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth. Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).

Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/15/jubilee-part-4-return-to-your-land/

garden

In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.

The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect. Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.

The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David. –Definitions per Strong’s Concordance

The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.

Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”

There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.

With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge… 1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.

In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.

In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:5-6, 2 Timothy 2:12).

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Isaiah 11:6, This Curse Is Not Reversed

Posted in Creation, Isaiah, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on February 9, 2014 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 11:6-8 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

What about the role of Satan, the serpent, in all of this? He is the one who enticed the woman in the Garden of Eden. He is the one who suggested to the woman to challenge God’s authority. He is the one who suggested disobedience to God. What does the future hold for Satan and future snakes? Let’s take a look back to the Garden. Satan was successful in the encouragement of the woman’s disobedience. Granted she and Adam made their own choices and are responsible for them.

Satan’s consequences are spelled out in Genesis 3:14, The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life… This is why we see snakes slither around on their belly.

…on your belly you go…The snake was reduced to the lowest of all animals. The snake is the most cursed (judged, condemned, harshly punished in the original Hebrew as noted per Strong’s Concordance) animal on the planet. There are some who conjecture the snake was originally created with the ability to maneuver upright prior to the fall. Notice the last part of the verse. The length of the sentence, punishment, and consequence is all the days of your life…

The context of Isaiah 65:25 is a time when there is peace in the animal kingdom. “The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD. Despite these changed and improved conditions, the snake is still cursed. Look at the living conditions of the cobra and viper. They are still in the ground on their bellies.

He wanted to exalt himself like the Most High. Micah 7:17 They will lick the dust like a serpent, like reptiles of the earth… His curse will not be reversed.

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Isaiah 7:23-25 Shekels and Thorns and Thistles

Posted in Isaiah with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 16, 2013 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 7:23 And it will come about in that day, that every place where there used to be a thousand vines, valued at a thousand shekels of silver, will become briars and thorns.

How much is a shekel worth in modern day terms? We know these particular shekels were made of silver.  There is no definitive statement of accuracy in regards to how much a shekel weighs. The best estimate is a shekel weighs roughly .5 ounces. In March of 2013, silver is worth approximately $30.00 per ounce. Based on the text, one grape vine equals one shekel of silver.

1000 shekels X ½ ounce per shekel = 500 ounces of silver.

500 ounces X $30.00 per ounce of silver = $15,000 in today’s economy.

$15,000 divided by 1,000 plants = $15 per plant.

Genesis 3:18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field…Thorns and thistles are a reminder of disobedience that took place in the Garden of Eden. Thorns and thistles exist because Adam listened to his wife instead of to God. Adam ate the fruit from the tree that God said, “You shall not eat from it”. The ground was cursed and as a result, we now have thorns and thistles. According to God, thorns exist because of disobedience to Him. Consider this the next time you look at a beautiful red rose. It did not have thorns in the beginning. Every thorn we see should be a reminder.

From a humanist perspective, it was just a piece of fruit. What is the big deal?

The humanist cannot say, “Nobody was harmed or died because of this action”. We all die because of disobedience to a simple request. Do not eat from one tree.

And let’s not get all pious and bust on Adam for eating the fruit. Who are we kidding? Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”?

Isaiah 7:24 People will come there with bows and arrows because all the land will be briars and thorns.

This ground is a barren waste land. People are hunting for food in the wild. Bows and arrows are the tools used for hunting game. The people are hungry.

Isaiah 7:25 As for all the hills which used to be cultivated with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briars and thorns; but they will become a place for pasturing oxen and for sheep to trample.

Previously, this land was used for growing food. Choice vines were tendered as noted in verse 23. It was productive farm land. It will become a space for animals to wander around looking for food.

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