Worship God, not Gad II 😏😏🤫😅
by Dr Garth Grenache
and his Lighter Orchestra
2025:10:3
https://youtube.com/shorts/5cp....w591skuA?si=9l6NEkeh
lyrics:
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
PERSECUTION
Whether burned alive for Nero’s entertainment, tortured during the Middle Ages, exiled to a Siberian gulag, or called names by hateful groups, believers have always faced persecution. While believers and non-believers alike suffer unjust treatment, persecution implies an intentional and systematic infliction of suffering or hardship because of a person’s beliefs. Persecution is the suffering people go through because of what they believe. This suffering includes things like insults, but it can also include being imprisoned, beaten, or killed for one’s beliefs. People who believe in YHVH have been through many centuries of persecution. This includes the Jews in the Old Testament who were conquered by enemies who did not believe in YHVH. It also includes believers in the New Testament, who were persecuted by the Jewish leadership and the Romans. Persecution is a reality today for believers all over the world.
PERSECUTION OF ISRAEL
There are many examples of persecution in the Old Testament. These examples begin with the story of Cain and Abel, which describes how Abel was persecuted by his older brother who was not righteous {Genesis 4:3-7}. Lot’s life also shows the suffering people sometimes experience when they refuse to conform to popular behaviour {Genesis 19:9; 2 Peter 2:7-8}. King Solomon wrote about the jealousy and guilt that causes people to persecute others. When people like the Egyptians, the Midianites, and the Philistines persecuted the whole nation of Israel, this was based on economic and political reasons. When the Israelites refused to worship foreign idols and follow rules that contradicted YHVH’s Law, they were also persecuted. Starting with the time of Elijah and continuing for many centuries, Israel was persecuted frequently by its enemies {1 Kings 19:10}. The prophets of YHVH, who preached the truth even during very difficult times, suffered severely because of their beliefs. As a result, the Jews began to believe that the mark of a true prophet was whether or not he was persecuted when he delivered his message {2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 23:29-37; Acts 7:52; Hebrews 11:32-38}. Daniel’s story during the exile of Israel illustrates the persecution many Jews experienced. When they finally returned from exile, many Jews wanted to preserve Israel’s unique identity even though there was outside pressure to worship other gods and obey the laws of foreign rulers. Because of this, the Jews after the exile felt oppressed and harassed, too. This made the repeated pleas for YHVH’s help in many of the psalms {Psalm 10:1; Psalm 69; Psalm 140:1; Psalm 149:1} relevant to worship after the exile. The persecution of the Jews became so cruel during the Maccabean period that the Jews revolted against their oppressors {Hebrews 11:35-38}. Even though they were confident that YHVH had promised to always protect them, the Israelites learned that good does not always prosper in this world. They also learned that faithfulness to truth does not mean they would be immune to suffering, sacrifice, or martyrdom.
PERSECUTION OF YESHUA AND HIS FOLLOWERS
In the New Testament, believers became a persecuted people. Yeshua warned His disciples that even people in their own families would persecute them. He encouraged the disciples to be "armed" against it and He also promised that the Spirit of YHVH would help them {Matthew 5:11-12; Matthew 10:16-23; Luke 6:26; Luke 22:35-36}. Yeshua was deeply angered when He found out John the Baptist had been murdered by King Herod {Luke 23:9}, and Yeshua knew that He would one day be executed Himself. Because He was critical of the Pharisees and Sadducees {John 11:47-50}, and because He was not a military leader as the Jews had hoped the Moshiach would be, Yeshua knew the people of Israel would eventually reject Him. When He called people to follow Him, He warned them of the danger, slander, physical punishment, hatred, and death that they might have to experience because of what they believed. He also invited His followers to prepare for His crucifixion, which would be the event that allowed people to have a relationship with YHVH again {Matthew 16:21-26; Matthew 20:17-22; Mark 10:29-30; John 15:18-25}. Yeshua was killed on the charges of subverting the nation, forbidding people to pay taxes to the Romans, and claiming to be king {Luke 23:2}. After Yeshua’s ministry on earth, the Jews persecuted the members of the first believer church. Peter’s accusations concerning Yeshua’s death may have provoked this persecution. As the apostles became more influential, they were often put in prison and beaten because of their beliefs {Acts 5:17; Acts 5:40}. When Stephen preached the gospel, a Jewish mob stoned him to death {Acts 6:1-7:60}. This was the beginning of "a great persecution" that made most of the believers leave Jerusalem. When Saul of Tarsus, who had persecuted the members of the church, became a believer and changed his name to Paul, the believers celebrated a great victory. There was also a great celebration when King Herod suddenly died after attacking the church in order to please the Jews {Acts 12:1-3}. As Gentiles started becoming believers, the Jews had a new reason to persecute members of the church. There were fights in the synagogues {Acts 13:44-45; Acts 14:1-6}. In addition, when the disciples miraculously healed a slave girl in Philippi, they were put into prison {Acts 16:19-24}. When the disciples were in Ephesus, they preached against idol worship and they were threatened with extreme danger {Acts 19:23-41}. The apostle Paul escaped from more than 40 men who were planning to ambush him and kill him {Acts 21:4-36; Acts 23:12-15}. And the book of Acts closes with Paul’s waiting to go on trial before Caesar {Acts 28:30-31}. During this period of history, the persecution of believers by the Jews was usually sporadic. Most likely, the believers were persecuted because the Jews were jealous of the success the believer missionaries were having. The Bible tells us that the Romans viewed faith in the Moshiach as a sect of Judaism, and believers were guarded by the same Laws that guarded the Jews {Acts 24:5; Acts 24:14}. Because of this, Paul received protection from Roman leaders like Felix and Festus when he was in Paphos, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, and Jerusalem. This also explains why Paul was so confident when he stood in front of Caesar. If Caesar agreed to let Paul go free, then all believers in the Roman empire would be free from harassment. When Paul talked about persecution, he often expressed regret for his earlier days when he persecuted the church {Acts 22:4; Acts 26:9-11; Galatians 1:22-24}. He also accepted the risks that came along with believing in Yeshua {Acts 20:22-24; Acts 21:13}, and he continually warned the members of the church that suffering was a key part of being a believer {Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:4}. However, he assured the believers that when they suffered, they were actually conquerors through the power of Yeshua {Romans 8:35-37}. Most scholars believe that Paul was beheaded during a time of fierce persecution in Rome. This came after a large fire broke out that the believers were blamed for starting. During this time, believers were often accused of "atheism," because they did not believe in the many gods. They were also accused of holding "scandalous" love feasts, preaching primarily to slave classes, and following overly strict rules for proper behaviour {John 15:19}. Because of this, believers were a popular target when the Romans needed a scapegoat. Around this same time, Peter warned believers who were living in the East about the danger the church was facing. Peter told them that suffering only proved that their faith was genuine {1 Peter 1:6}. He also wrote that believers should respond to persecution by living blameless lives. Believers should respect their authorities on earth, and they should accept suffering for Yeshua’s sake without being afraid. Peter reminded believers that if they suffered for doing right, they should remember that the Moshiach suffered for all people. Peter wrote that believers should "arm" themselves for suffering {1 Peter 4:1}, and not be surprised when they were persecuted because they were sharing in the Moshiach’s suffering {1 Peter 4:12}. His final word to believers encourages them to "Stand fast!" Many scholars believe that Mark wrote his Gospel to people who were suffering because of their belief in Yeshua. His Gospel focuses on the causes for Yeshua’s persecution, and it describes Yeshua’s death as something heroic. Like Peter, Mark told believers to face persecution by remembering the suffering Yeshua experienced. Somewhat later, the Romans declared that faith in Yeshua, was illegal, and that believers were no longer protected by the law. Because of this, the government in Rome began fiercely persecuting all believers. Rome wanted to unify all of its citizens by making them practice the same faith. The Roman government felt that all religions, especially those that held secret meetings as the believers did, were a threat to the unity of Rome {Acts 17:6-7}. Toward the end of the century, Rome had to deal with a growing believing church and other political problems. The government told people to worship "the genius of Rome" while they held their own religious services. From AD 81-96, the emperor Domitian required all people to worship him. He built elaborate temples and appointed official priests. When believers refused to do this by stating that Yeshua alone deserved worship, the persecution against them was extremely harsh and barbaric. It is probable that the book of Revelation reflects this situation {Revelation 1:9; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 6:19}. In this way, the Bible ends just as it began, with the persecution of people who decided to follow YHVH.
WHY DOES YHVH ALLOW HIS PEOPLE TO BE PERSECUTED?
PERSECUTION BUILDS CHARACTER.
“YHVH blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.” {Matthew 5:11-12} Yeshua said to rejoice when we are persecuted. Persecution can be good because:
1 -- it takes our eyes off earthly rewards,
2 -- it strips away superficial belief,
3 -- it strengthens the faith of those who endure, and
4 -- our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow.
We can be comforted to know that YHVH’s greatest prophets were persecuted [Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel]. The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future YHVH will reward the faithful by receiving them into His Eternal Kingdom where there is no more persecution.
PERSECUTION STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH.
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved.” {Matthew 24:12-13} Yeshua predicted that His followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated what He stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times of trial serve to sift true believers from false or luke-warm believers. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on the Moshiach, don’t do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for the Moshiach.
PERSECUTION BRINGS MATURITY.
“Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.” {1 Peter 1:6} Peter mentions suffering several times in this letter: {1:6-7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9}. When he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or the experience of YHVH’s punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to people of faith. All believers face such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness. We must accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet the Moshiach. Trials teach us patience {Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-3} and help us grow to be the kind of people YHVH wants.
WHY ARE BELIEVERS PERSECUTED?
Jeremiah 19:14-20:3; 37:1-38:15: “Now Pashur… heard what Jeremiah the prophet was saying. So, he arrested Jeremiah the prophet and had him whipped.” 1 Kings 22:7-28: “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth?” So, Micaiah told him, King Ahab of Israel then ordered, “Arrest Micaiah.” --- Sometimes believers are persecuted simply for speaking the truth.
John 15:17-21: “The people of the world will hate you because you belong to Me, for they don’t know YHVH Who sent Me.” --- Persecution comes from those who are ignorant of YHVH and His will.
Acts 7:51 - 8:3: “The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation.” Matthew 15:9: “Their worship is a farce, for they replace YHVH’s Commands with their own man-made teachings.” Galatians 5:11: “The fact that I am still being persecuted proves that I am still preaching salvation.” --- The bold message of the Moshiach threatens those who believe in their own righteousness.
HOW ARE BELIEVERS TO RESPOND TO PERSECUTION?
Psalm 69:1-36: “Save me, O YHVH… Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs on my head.” --- YHVH’s people must turn to prayer in times of persecution.
Acts 14:19-22: “They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently dead. But as the believers stood around him, he got up and went back into the city.” --- Paul’s courageous response to persecution enabled him to encourage others.
Philippians 1:27-30: “You have been given… the privilege of suffering for Him.” Matthew 5:11: “YHVH blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers.” 1 Peter 4:13: “Instead, be very glad-because these trials will make you partners with the Moshiach in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory.” --- The Bible encourages us to see the blessings of persecution.
Luke 6:27-36: “Pray for the happiness of those who curse you.” --- A supernatural love allows believers to actually pray for those who persecute them.
Revelation 21:4: “He will remove all of their sorrows.” --- The hope that all suffering will be replaced by the joy of heaven enables believers to endure.
IF YHVH HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION?
2 Thessalonians 1:5: “YHVH will use this persecution to show His justice. For He will make you worthy of His Kingdom, for which you are suffering.” --- Persecution defines who we are going to be in the Moshiach. As we search to respond to persecution in the faithful way we grow.
WHEN WE EXPERIENCE PERSECUTION WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?
Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Romans 12:14: “If people persecute you because you are a believer, don’t curse them; pray that YHVH will bless them.” --- We are to pray that YHVH will bless those who persecute us, for it may be through our response to their persecution that YHVH touches a hard heart.
Revelation 14:12: “Let this encourage YHVH’s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying His Commands and trusting in Yeshua.” Matthew 27:12: “When the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against Him, Yeshua remained silent.” --- We are to remain obedient to YHVH and endure the persecution patiently, just as Yeshua did when He was persecuted.
You're gonna love this one 😁😎👌🏻😅
Play it for your friends who don't say 'God' properly.
There is actually a false God in the Bible called 'Gad' you know!?! I know y'all don't mean that God, but I wouldn't put it beyond evil's cunning to trick us and twist our language to say the idol's name rather than saying 'God' in proper English English.
Worship God, not Gad 😏
by Dr Garth Grenache
and his Lighter Orchestra
2025:10:3
lyrics:
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
Worship God, not Gad!
https://youtube.com/shorts/MQk....zk4SaqG8?si=GioK2jjM
Depending on which calendar you choose to follow, This year Yom Kippur falls sometime either yesterday or today. For all of those who choose to celebrate Yom Kippur, I wish you many blessings and may your name be found in the book of life,
"When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge."
Pr 21
BIBLE STUDY -- YHVH’S PROPHETS
JEREMIAH BUYS A FIELD
From Jeremiah 32
Adonai spoke to Jeremiah again when he was a prisoner in the dungeon of King Zedekiah’s palace. It was a difficult time in Judah, for the army of Babylon had besieged Jerusalem. This was during the tenth year of Zedekiah’s reign and the eighteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Zedekiah had thrown Jeremiah into prison because of his prophecies. [Why do you tell people that Adonai is giving this city to the king of Babylon?] the king asked Jeremiah. [Why do you tell them that I will be captured and brought face to face with Nebuchadnezzar for trial? Why do you prophesy that I will be imprisoned in Babylon for many years until I die? And why do you tell them that they cannot win against the Chaldeans, no matter how hard they fight against them?] About this time Adonai spoke again to Jeremiah while he was in prison. [Your cousin Hanameel the son of your uncle Shallum will visit you here in prison and will offer to sell you his field at Anathoth, for you are next in line to buy it,] Just as Adonai had said, Hanameel came to visit Jeremiah in prison. [When Hanameel told me why he had come,] said Jeremiah, [I was sure that Adonai had spoken to me.] [You have the first right to buy my field,] said Hanameel. [Do you want to do it?] Accordingly {continued Jeremiah}, I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanameel. Before witnesses which we had gathered, I signed the deed and sealed it, and weighed seventeen shekels of silver as payment. Then I took the two copies of the deed which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase, one sealed and the other unsealed and gave them publicly to Baruch the son of Neriah and grandson of Maaseiah, while Hanameel and the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase and the prison guards watched. While all these witnesses listened, I said to Baruch, [Adonai of hosts Commands you to take these two copies of the deed, the sealed deed of purchase and the open copy, and place them in a clay vessel, so they will remain for a long time. For Adonai assures us that houses, fields, and vineyards will someday be bought here in this land again.] After I had given the copies of the deed to Baruch, I prayed to Adonai. [O Adonai YHVH, by Your great power and Your outstretched arm You have made the heavens and the earth,] I prayed. [There is nothing too difficult for You to do. You have shown Your abiding love to thousands while You cause a man’s children to share the guilt of their father’s sins. O Adonai YHVH of hosts, great and mighty in wisdom and deed, You see all that men do and reward men according to their lives and their deeds. You performed great miracles in the land of Egypt which we remember even to this day. Today also You have worked great miracles in Israel and throughout the world, bringing great honour to Your Name. With great miracles by Your strong hand and outstretched arm You brought Israel from Egypt and gave them this land flowing with milk and honey, which You had promised to their ancestors. They entered the land and possessed it, but they failed to obey You and follow Your Commands, almost completely. This punishment has come from You, and siege mounds have been built against Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and they will capture the city with sword, famine, and plague. All that You have said has come to pass. Yet now, Adonai, You have instructed me to buy this field and pay money for it before witnesses, even though the city will be captured by the Chaldeans.] Then Adonai spoke to Jeremiah, saying, [I am Adonai YHVH of all people. Is anything too difficult for Me to do? I am about to let the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon capture this city. Even now they are outside the walls, and they will soon come into Jerusalem and burn the city with all the houses on whose roofs incense was burned to Baal and drink offerings poured out to foreign gods, provoking Me to anger. Ever since this city was built, the people of Israel and Judah have angered Me with their deeds, so I plan to destroy it. Yes, the sins of the people and their leaders -- kings, princes, priests, and prophets -- have stirred My anger against this city, for they have turned their backs to Me instead of looking to Me with their faces. Even though I have faithfully taught them, they have refused to listen and learn from Me. Instead, they have set up their evil idols, even in My temple. They have built the high places for Baal in the Hinnom Valley and have burned their own children there as offerings to Molech, even though I never told them to do this or ever thought of such an evil. They have brought to Judah terrible evil by doing these things. Now I am telling you that this city of Jerusalem will be captured by the king of Babylon by means of the sword, famine, and plague. But some day I will let My people return to this place from all the lands where I will scatter them in My anger. I will let them return to Jerusalem, and they will at last live here in safety. They shall be My people, and I will be their YHVH. I will unite their hearts and minds to worship Me forever, for their own sakes and for the sake of their descendants. I will make a Covenant with them which shall endure forever, and I will never desert them or cease doing good to them. I will put a desire for Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. I will plant them again in this land with great joy in My whole heart and soul. As I have brought all this trouble to them now, so I will bring them much good, as I have promised. Once more, fields will be bought and sold, and deeds will be signed and sealed and witnessed, both in the land of Benjamin and in the land around Jerusalem, as well as the cities of Judah, the hill country, and even to the Negeb and the plains of the Philistines. As I restore their lands, so will I also restore their fortunes.]
COMMENTARY
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
At first, people paid each other in goods like cattle, barley or oil. This system was replaced by the use of gold, silver and copper in the form of dust, lumps, objects or bars. Their value was determined by their weight. But neither balances nor weights were precise, and weights and measures varied from one city to another. The Israelites used the same system of weights as the Canaanites and Babylonians. The basic unit of their weight system was called the [shekel.] It was also the basic unit of their money system, which developed later. There were three different kinds of shekels. The first -- the commercial or common shekel and weighed more than the second; temple shekel -- and less than the third -- royal shekel. Fifty shekels made up a {minah,} and sixty minahs a {talent.} Half-shekels were called {bekahs.} The lightest weight was a {gerah,} which meant {grain.} Pharmacies still weigh items in grains. The Hebrews used parts of the body to measure length. A {cubit} stretched from elbow to wrist. Half a cubit, called a {span,} ran from thumb to little finger with the hand stretched wide. A handbreadth, or {tepah,} stretched across the palm. The smallest measure, a digit, survives today as the inch. Obviously, none of these measures was very exact. For solids and liquids, the Israelites used measures similar to modern bushels and gallons. Merchants loaded their donkeys with {homers} of grain -- probably several bushels. A woman drew a {bath} of water from a well -- a jug that is thought to have held close to six gallons. Priests used a small potful, or {hin,} of liquid for religious rituals, and a tiny bit, or {log,} to purify lepers. No one knows the precise amounts of any of these measures.
BIBLE STUDY -- YHVH’S PROPHETS
THE BROKEN YOKE
WARNINGS FROM JEREMIAH
From Jeremiah 27-28
Early in the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, Adonai gave Jeremiah another message. [Fasten a yoke to your neck with leather straps,] Adonai said. [Then give My message to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their representatives here in Jerusalem. This is the message you must send to them: With great power I have made the earth by My outstretched arm. I have made all men and animals of the earth; I give what is Mine to anyone I choose. Now, at this time, I choose to give your lands and peoples to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, My servant. I will give him even the cattle of your fields. All nations shall serve him and his son, as well as his grandson, until I choose to end their reign. Then other nations and kings shall make him their slave. Whoever refuses to become Nebuchadnezzar’s slave now, putting their necks under his yoke, will be punished. I will bring war, famine, and disease upon that nation until the king destroys it with his hand. Your false prophets, diviners, dreamers, soothsayers, and sorcerers will advise you not to serve the king of Babylon, telling you falsely that he will not conquer you. These are all lies, and if you listen to them, I will drive you out of your land to a place far away, and there you will die. But whoever submits to the king of Babylon will remain in the land to farm it in peace.] I, Jeremiah, told these prophecies to King Zedekiah of Judah. [Surrender to the king of Babylon and serve him if you want to live,] I told him. [Adonai has warned you that you and your people will die by the sword, by famine, and by plague if you do not, so why won’t you listen to Him? Ignore those false prophets who tell you not to serve the king of Babylon, for they prophesy lies to you. Adonai says that they are not His prophets, even though they speak in His name. If you listen to them, Adonai will drive you and your false prophets from this land.] I also warned the priests and the people often. [Adonai tells you not to listen to those false prophets who say the golden vessels from the temple will soon be returned from Babylon. Ignore them! They are lying. Submit to the king of Babylon, and you will live. Rebel against him, and the city of Jerusalem will be completely destroyed. If they are true prophets, let them pray to Adonai that the golden vessels which are still in the temple and those in the king’s palace will not be taken away to Babylon. Adonai says that more treasures will be taken away to Babylon -- the great bronze pillars at the entrance to the temple, the bronze basin in the temple courtyard, the pedestals, and all the other temple vessels which were left behind when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and took Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim and all the other nobles of Judah to Babylon. Those vessels will remain in Babylon until Adonai permits them to return to Jerusalem.] During the fifth month of that same year, the month of July, Hananiah the son of Azzur spoke to me in the temple while all the priests and people listened. It was the fourth year of King Zedekiah’s reign. Hananiah was a false prophet from Gibeon. [Here is a message from Adonai of hosts, the YHVH of Israel,] Hananiah said. [Adonai says He has broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years He will bring back to Jerusalem all the temple vessels which Nebuchadnezzar took with him to Babylon. He will also bring back Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the nobles from Judah who were exiled to Babylon. Adonai assures us that He will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.] Then Jeremiah answered Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and people standing there in the temple. [Amen! We certainly hope your prophecies all come true,] said Jeremiah. [May Adonai bring back all the exiles from Babylon and all the temple vessels. But listen to me. The prophets who preceded us spoke of war, famine, and plagues. But when a prophet arises, such as you, who foretells nothing but peace, he must prove that he is a prophet by showing that his prophecies come true.] Then Hananiah removed the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and broke it. [Adonai says that within two years He will break the yoke of bondage of King Nebuchadnezzar and release those nations which he has captured,] he said. When Hananiah said that, Jeremiah walked away. Not long after that Adonai gave another message to Jeremiah. [Tell Hananiah that he has broken a wooden yoke, but I will place yokes of iron on the necks of the people, making them slaves of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon. The people will become his servants, and even the beasts of the field will be his. Jeremiah also said to Hananiah, [Listen to me, Hananiah; Adonai has never made you, His prophet. You are causing the people to trust in a lie, so Adonai says that He will remove you from the face of the earth. Because you have rebelled against Adonai and deceived the people into believing your lies, you will die this very year. That same year, about two months later, in the seventh month, Hananiah died.
COMMENTARY
PROPHETS AND KINGS
A man became king in ancient Israel because his father was one before him. But people became prophets only when YHVH called them to speak for Him. Because the kings believed in this divine power in the prophets’ lives, they turned to prophets for advice in times of crisis. They wanted help, hope and consolation; they welcomed messages that held promise and comfort. But even when their visions seemed foolish or harsh, the prophets reported them. They did not hesitate to rebuke kings and to offer YHVH and His reasons as explanations for both disasters and victories. David was the first king to bring prophets into the royal court of Israel. He relied for support on Samuel, Nathan and Gad. His predecessor, Saul, had refused to listen to the words of the prophet Samuel, and died as a result. Through prophets like Samuel, YHVH often determined who would rule and who would lose his throne. When the kingdom of Israel split in two, the northern kings despised the prophets who preached the judgment to come. In the south, prophets were somewhat more welcome. But false prophets had their influence on both kingdoms. Out of greed, the desire for power, or fear, these men predicted whatever the king and his people wanted to hear.
Thought for Today: Friday October 03
The world getting worse! Is satan working more furiously today than ever before? To many observers this certainly seems to be the case. Take the record of the last century, two world wars and other conflicts that killed more people than all previous wars combined; Jewish people killed in the holocaust; Iraq and Lebanese people slaughtered for the “so-called” democracy; more believers martyred for their faith in our Moshiach than at any other time in history. So, why will it be like this? The reason: the Bible says, is because satan will lash out in one final burst of fury, seeking with all his might to block our Moshiach’s Victory.
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