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BIBLE STUDY LESSON 18

SERIES Q --- THE SAVIOUR

HOW TO PLEASE YHVH

ONE SHABBAT DAY IN A GRAIN FIELD

From Matthew 12:1-8

One Shabbat day, Yeshua walked with His disciples through a field of wheat. The disciples were hungry, so they began to eat some of the wheat, gathering it from the field. Although farmers permitted hungry travellers to do this, the Pharisees considered this {threshing,} which their Laws did not allow on the Shabbat. When the Pharisees saw the disciples gather the grain to eat, they became angry and complained to Yeshua. [Your disciples are breaking the Shabbat Laws,] they argued. [King David broke your Laws, too,] He said. [Or haven’t you read the Scriptures, as you claim? Don’t you know what David did when he and his men were hungry, fleeing from King Saul? The Law permitted only the priests to eat the bread offered to YHVH. But in their need, David and his men went into YHVH’s house and ate it.] Then Yeshua continued: [You apparently haven’t read another place in the Scriptures, where it says that the priests in the temple may work on the Shabbat and thus break the Laws. Let Me tell you now that you have Someone here with you who is greater than the temple. Or don’t you realize what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘I want your heart more than your offering.’? If you do, you would not condemn innocent people. Can’t you recognize that I am YHVH’s Son, and therefore greater than the Shabbat itself?]

THE WITHERED HAND

From Luke 6:6-11

A similar incident happened on another Shabbat, when Yeshua was teaching in the synagogue. On that day, a man with a withered hand had come to the synagogue and the Pharisees and teachers of the Law watched Yeshua closely to see what He would do. They were anxious to prove that Yeshua was a Lawbreaker, so they waited eagerly to see if Yeshua would heal the man, which would be against their Shabbat Laws. These men didn’t realize that Yeshua could see into their minds and know their thoughts. Having seen what they were thinking, Yeshua called to the man with the withered hand. [Come!] He said. [Stand here where everyone can see you.] When the man was standing there, Yeshua faced the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. [Tell me,] He said, [is it right to do good on the Shabbat? Or is it better to do evil? Should we save life, or destroy it?] Yeshua looked at each man, one by one, but none of them answered. Then He turned His attention to the man who needed His help. [Stretch out your hand toward Me,] He said. As the man did this, his withered hand became as normal as the other one. When they saw what Yeshua had done, not only breaking their Law, but making them look foolish as He did it, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were furious. Therefore, they began to make plans with the Herodians about how they might kill Yeshua.

MULTITUDES BY THE SEA

From Mark 3:7-12; Matthew 12:17-21

Leaving the synagogue at Capernaum, Yeshua went away with His disciples to the Sea of Galilee. Many followed Him along the shore, anxious to remain as close to Him as possible. These people had come not only from the nearby parts of Galilee, but also from such faraway places as Jerusalem and Idumea, from beyond the Jordan River, and from Tyre and Sidon. The news of Yeshua’ miracles had attracted them, so they swarmed after Him, waiting to see what He would do. Because of the large numbers of people who pressed upon Him, Yeshua told His disciples to get a boat ready, in case the crowd pressed Him from the shore. Yeshua healed many that day, while other sick people struggled to get near Him. Some with evil spirits fell at His feet, screaming, [You are YHVH’s Son!] But Yeshua ordered them to be quiet. Thus, the words of Isaiah came true:

[Give attention to My Servant, for He is My Chosen One. He is My Beloved and I am well pleased with Him. He will be filled with My Spirit, and will bring My justice to all the nations. He will not come with shouts or arguments, or with loud proclamations in the streets. He will never take advantage of those who are weak, or snuff out the smallest flicker of hope. With His righteousness that never fails, He will bring triumph over wrong. And in His Name the world will find its hope.]

CHOSEN BY THE KING

From Luke 6:12-16

One day Yeshua went up into the hills to pray, and remained there in prayer through the night. When morning came, He called His followers together and chose twelve of them to be His apostles. The names of the twelve are: Simon {whom Yeshua also named Peter}, Simon’s brother Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon {a Zealot, an anti-Roman group}, Judas the son of James and Judas Iscariot {who later betrayed Yeshua}.

COMMENTARY

THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM

The synagogue at Capernaum was probably the most noticeable building in the town. Built on a stone platform that raised it high, it was surrounded on all four sides by broad streets that connected it with the rest of the town. The synagogue itself consisted of a large main building approximately eighty by seventy-five feet, and a walled courtyard about forty-four feet wide. The building faced south, toward Jerusalem. A raised stone platform along the front of the building, with steps at either end, led to the three entrances. The inside was divided by two rows of pillars into two aisles and the large centre nave. A bench ran along each of the longer walls. All was arranged in such a way that every participant in a service always faced toward Jerusalem. The floor was of large pieces of polished flagstone -- probably the only building in Capernaum that had such a floor. The courtyard was paved with the same material. The synagogue was made of white limestone that must have been brought to Capernaum from a great distance. The building was meant to last -- its walls were two feet thick. The centre entrance led to the nave, and each of the other doors to a different aisle. The doors themselves were topped with stones carved with vines, date palms, lions, cupids and eagles. The second story, or gallery, was lined with stone columns. Their tops were richly decorated with floral patterns, grapes, pomegranates, and geometric designs.

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