BIBLE STUDY LESSON 19

SERIES R --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD

SON OF YHVH

TRANSFIGURED

From Luke 9:28-36

About eight days after Yeshua had said these things, He went with Peter, John, and James up into a mountain to pray. While Yeshua was praying, His face began to change and His clothes glistened with a brilliant whiteness. Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in a glorious light and began talking with Yeshua about the way He would follow YHVH's plan by dying in Jerusalem. Until now, Peter and his friends had been asleep, but they awoke and saw Yeshua in His Glory, talking with these two men. As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what he should say. He began to talk this way: [Adonai, what a good thing it is to be here. We'll make three booths, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.] Peter was still talking when a cloud of light appeared over them, causing the disciples to be terribly afraid. Then a voice came down from the cloud saying, [This is My Beloved Son. Listen to Him!] After the voice spoke, Yeshua stood there alone. For quite some time the disciples kept all of this a secret, telling no one what they had seen.

A QUESTION ABOUT ELIJAH

From Matthew 17:9-13

As Yeshua was coming down the mountain with His disciples, He gave them some orders. [You must not tell anyone about the things you have seen until I have been raised from the dead,] He said. The disciples had a question for Yeshua. [Why do the scribes, the teachers of the Law, say that Elijah must come first?] they asked. [Elijah must come first,] Yeshua answered, [for he must prepare things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and the people did not recognize him, so they mistreated him. In the same way, I am about to be mistreated by these people.] Now the disciples understood that Yeshua was talking to them about John the Baptist.

WHO CAN HEAL THIS BOY?

From Matthew 17:14-20

When Yeshua and His friends joined the rest of the disciples at the foot of the mountain, they found a large crowd gathered. One of the men in the crowd ran and knelt down before Yeshua. [Adonai, show mercy to my son,] he said, [for he has terrible fits and falls into the fire or water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not help him.] [Don't you people have any faith?] Yeshua said. [How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.] There was a demon in the boy and Yeshua Commanded it to come out. At that very moment, the demon left and the boy was healed. When they were alone with Yeshua, the disciples asked Him, [Why couldn't we make the demon come out?] [Because you didn't have enough faith,] Yeshua answered. [I tell you with certainty that if you have faith, even though it is as small as a mustard seed, you can tell this mountain to move from this place to that and it would obey. Nothing is impossible. But this kind of thing can be done only through prayer and fasting.]

COMMENTARY

TWO MOUNTAINS-HERMON AND TABOR

The writer of the Psalms pictures Mount Hermon and Mount Tabor shouting for joy in praise of YHVH's Name. And of all mountains, these two might well rejoice together in their Creator. They both have always been recognized as places of special importance and sacredness. Although the Gospels do not give the name of the place where Yeshua was transfigured, some believe it could have been on either Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor. Mount Hermon is the tallest mountain in Palestine. It is sometimes called {the grey-haired mountain} because its top is covered with snow most of the year. When the snow melts, it runs down the side of the mountain, and forms the source of the Jordan River. Cool breezes blow down from its heights and relieve the heat of the dry season in the valley below. Its lower slopes are covered with lush forests and vineyards that yield rich fruit. Although Mount Tabor does not stand as high as Mount Hermon, it does provide a majestic picture as it rises out of the plain. It is the only mountain in the area, and its gently curved slopes dominate the horizon. From its summit is a beautiful view of the surrounding plain. The Sea of Galilee, Mount Hermon, the Jordan River and even the land beyond can be seen from its peak. Because of its commanding position, Tabor has always been a mountain of military importance. Through the centuries, many armies have fought for its control. Its summit is layered with the ruins of a long succession of temples, churches and forts which were destroyed in battles long ago.