Most of what you see about Israel in the press are myths and perversions of reality. Give some examples of how the press depicts Israel as the aggressor and the oppressor BTE 502-04-2

First, one of the many groups that presents the truth about Israel: Prager University: The Middle East Problem

Why is the Middle East Problem so intractable? Dennis Prager, nationally syndicated talk show host and best-selling author, answers that question in this thought-provoking video course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63hTOaRu7h4

Hal Lindsey made a very informative video titled, “The Israeli Palestinian Conflict: Myths and Facts."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XILOXhQLiKw

As an aside, between 2006 and 20I0, the U.N. Human Rights Commission condemned Israel in 20 of its 25 resolutions. It seems that we truly are in the days when good is called bad at bad is called good.

Sometimes when I defend Israel I’ve had people counter with Israel’s firing on the Liberty ship. I'll confess I didn't know near enough about it but I never really thought Israel would intentionally fire on a ship from the U.S. CM’s teaching about this ship compromising Israel’s military positions, as Paul Harvey would say, “And that folks is the rest of the story.”

As for the press demonization of Israel; where to begin? It seems to me hardly a day goes by that Israel isn't being condemned for protecting herself from missile strikes. However, when I searched the Internet for anti-Israel articles most of what I found was by bloggers. Even a CNN news clip, “Israeli assault on Gaza-bound flotilla leaves at least 9 dead” seemed more balanced then I remembered, redacted?

Evangelical church groups are disregarding God's covenant with Israel and are voicing the demand that Israel give back the "Occupied land." Christ at the Checkpoint has a Manifesto and point five is, “Any exclusive claim to land of the Bible in the name of God is not in line with the teaching of Scripture.”

An article published in 2007, “Coalition of Evangelicals Voices Support for Palestinian State.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/us/29evangelical.html

Currently Israel is responding after hundreds of missiles were fired into Israel from Gaza. No surprise here:

CAIRO — Egypt has asked the United States to push Israel to stop its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, warning that the violence could "escalate out of control."

http://www.newsmaxworld.com/Newswidget/gaza-israel-egypt-us/2012/11/15/id/464200?promo_code=F53D-1&utm_source=Israel_National_News&utm_medium=nmwidget&utm_campaign=widgetphase1

As the United States has its lame stream media, Israel has the publication Haaretz. Having read liberal articles I was pleasantly surprised to find mostly supportive reporting today perhaps due to the escalating clash with Gaza.

It was reported that four children were killed by Israel bombs. Golda Meir made this comment more than half a century ago. It is as true today as then. “Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.” (Statement to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., 1957)

Arutz Sheva 7 Minister: We'll Hit Them Till They Say 'Enough' BTE 502-04-8

Min. Moshe Yaalon says "We will put an end to this. We will not maintain restraint."

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161973

Minister Moshe Yaalon (Likud) said Sunday that Israel does not intend to maintain restraint in the face of the intense rocket attacks from Gaza.

"If the terror organizations do not cease their fire we will be prepared to toughen our response as much as necessary, until they say 'enough!'," he said.

After listening to CM's teachings on the “Betrayal of the Chosen” I’m reminded of the old expression “Keep your enemies close and your friends even closer.” I've known that through the years we have not been a very good friend to Israel. At least at the birth of the nation, then President Harry S Truman recognized the state of Israel. Also years later President Nixon provided some very much needed help to Israel as prophesied by his Quaker mother years before.

In the several days following the above, events are unfolding so rapidly between Israel and Hamas that it is difficult to find a conclusion to this DQ.

“Hamas says 'gates of hell opened' as Israel kills military leader in Gaza”

“Ahmed al-Jabari's assassination in missile strike marks 'start of broader operation' that may involve ground troops, says Israel.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/14/israel-assassinates-hamas-military-chief

Israel has launched a military operation to eliminate militants and weapon sites in the Gaza Strip, killing the commander of Hamas's military wing, in a move with potentially serious repercussions beyond its borders.

The assassination of Ahmed al-Jabari in a missile strike in Gaza City was the "start of a broader operation", according to the Israel Defence Forces, which it named Operation Pillar of Defence.

 

“Israel launched a military operation to eliminate militants and weapon sites in the Gaza Strip, killing the commander of Hamas's military wing, in a move with the potential to trigger action beyond its borders.”

Than today, “Israel Changed the Rules of the Game,” Yoav Limor Writing in Israel Hayom

“The response came on Wednesday, after a few days of stormy weather that prevented action. In hindsight, the unfavorable weather conditions played into Israel’s hands. On the one hand, the government’s inaction elicited scathing criticism for forsaking the residents of the south, but it bought Israeli leaders some time to put on a show that convinced Hamas that the latest round was drawing to a close. Hamas let its guard down, expecting calm, and allowed its leaders to come out of hiding. This provided an opening to Israel to make its move and embark on its campaign."

http://blog.standforisrael.org/articles/israel-changed-the-rules-of-the-game

The Israel withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 was done in the hope that this would lead to peace. Rather than peace the withdrawal provided a nearby missal launching pad. Land for peace has never resulted in any lasting peace as the hated towards Israel is embedded in the Islamic psyche. Let us not forgot that the United States ”encouraged” Israel to withdraw from Gaza and that withdrawal seems to have coincided with Hurricane Katrina.

Added later:

Israel is getting very proactive in protecting herself. Our administration says that "There will be no daylight between the United States and Israel." I don't have any confidence in Obama and I suspect that neither does Israel. Actually I expect that Israel likely will make a preemptive strike against Iran in the wake of the presidential election. I think that May, 2011 when Obama "suggested" to Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel return to the 1967 boundaries the Prime Minister could see the writing on the wall.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-meeting-with-obama-netanyahu-rules-out-israeli-withdrawal-to-1967-borders/2011/05/20/AFSWQx7G_story.html

Levin: Bill to Annex Judea and Samaria is Ready

"MK Yariv Levin (Likud), chairman of the Knesset’s House Committee, told Arutz Sheva on Wednesday that he has a bill that calls to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria that is ready to be submitted for Knesset approval.

Levin said that if the Palestinian Authority goes ahead with its statehood bid at the United Nations, he will submit his bill for approval immediately after January’s election.

"Regardless of the Palestinian move we should have applied sovereignty long ago," said Levin, "but the unilateral move by the Palestinians is a good time to do so."

Sounds reasonable to me, however, the liberals will demonize Israel even more.

Write a serious Sorites that is made up of all true statements and comes to a valid and true conclusion.I604-02-2

I based the following on Jonathan Cahn book, “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's Future” released 2011-09-03.

"The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10 (KJV)

Israel (Nortern Kingdom) worships idols and is warned by the prophets
The prophets are ignored by an Israel who does not have ears to hear
An Israel without ears to hear is defeated by the Assyrians
A defeated Israel is a defiance Israel
A defiance Israel says we will rebuild
A rebuilt Israel fall falls again never to again be a nation.

There is a message for America In the book the Harbinger. We started out as a very God centered and blessed country. I always like to point out that we have mastered the trifecta of abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and throwing Israel under the bus. It is my prayer that it is not too late to salvage our country. While I think the above example of the Northern Kingdom follows the rules of the course the one below dealing with America takes a few liberties.

America has turned/ is turning away from God

God has commandments we are to live by

The Commandments are ignored by a defiance America

A defiance America watches as her towers fall

The fallen towers inspire the still defiant America

An inspired defiant America has defiant leaders

Defiant leaders vow we will rebuild America

A rebuild America experiences an economic collapse in 2008

An economic collapse in 2008 results in major political changes

Major political changes give power to a very liberal administration

A liberal administration encourages a dependent, immoral society

A dependent, immoral society votes for four more years of the same

Added later:

Corby, thank you for your very constructive criticism and I have to agree, I implied the concluding statement rather than stating it.

So if I understand what you're saying I should have added a concluding statement to the effect that "Israel worshiped idols and was ultimately destroyed."

I brought America into it as an aside as I understad this to be Rabbi Jonathan Cahn's thesis. America is replicating the defiance of the northern kingdom. We have turned away from God and made idols out of our celebrities, bigger homes and such. Rather than a concluding statement I left the ultimate destiny of America rather open-ended.

 

What is Compartmentalism and how does it work? What is the main problem with it? I604-01-3

Compartmentalism is to separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments. One of the sources that I looked up talked about Compartmentalism as being akin to schizophrenia. In medical terms Compartment Syndrome is a condition in which a muscle swells but is constricted by the connective tissue around it, which cuts off blood supply to the muscle. I understand that this constriction causes considerable physical pain. I suspect that when we compartmentalize our lives it causes us emotional pain.

Compartmentalism often is the modus operandi for many Christians, being totally committed to Jesus inwardly but not so much so in public. One of the criticisms that I've made about Christians is that so many form prayer groups and Bible studies where they reinforce each other almost to the point of it being a Kumbaya moment. Now before I get criticized for that statement let me say that in my opinion, small groups are the future of the church. I have belonged to a number of Bible studies and prayer groups, however and again in my opinion, more Christians should move beyond their comfort zone and be more aggressive in their witness.

There is the compartment that holds my love for Jesus and the Word of God. I'm ashamed to admit the years I hid Jesus in my little Christian compartment because I didn't have the courage of my convictions and didn't want to Cause dissension. Now I have such a sense of urgency that I stopped worrying about stepping on people's toes for the most part but then time to time I still confine myself in my little compartment. I'm finding that the more I grow in knowledge about the Word and how its validity is reinforced through courses at KI the less I confine my witness to my little compartment. I work at being watchman on the wall and kicking the sides out of my compartment.

And then there's the compartment in my life called family duty. In January of this year I gave up a fulfilling life to come and help care for my mother for an indefinite period of time. In the family duty compartment of my life I'm very conflicted between love and duty to my mother and wanting my own life back. I have to manage a positive attitude for my mother. On one hand I'm less than happy and on the other I feel very guilty for being unhappy. I suspect that this is having an adverse effect on my health. I passed the Biblical age of three score and 10 last year and I’m a polio survivor for 65 years.

As I compartmentalize my Christian life and family duty I internalized the stress of being so conflicted. That said, it is wonderful to know that I have God to depend on. While God is the main thing that is getting me through this trying time, KI certainly is a major support.

Why should we love the Torah? BTE 502-03-5

One of my first KI classes Was Spiritual Disciplines One and it made a lasting impression on me. I remember Dr. Dan Stolebarger talking about the early followers of Jesus who turned the world upside down, oh that we would once more.

The story I remember so well was that after the Rabbi handed out copies of the Torah to his five year old students he would put a dollop of honey on it. He would have the children taste the honey; Psalm 119:103, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" This would of course make a very lasting impression upon his young students.
So why should we love the Torah? The Torah has given us the history of the early Jewish race and good moral principles to live by.

First there's the creation story with the fall of man and the hope of redemption through the seed of the woman.

We learned of a society that had become so evil that God wiped it out with the exception of eight people, Noah, a righteous man, and his family. Through the story of the Tower of Babble we learned that when God says go and populate the world he means it. "And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Genesis 11:6-7

Thousands of years later America now embraces many practices prohibited in the Bible. Our World Trade Towers came down and instead of taking this as a warning to repent, we defied God as did Israel; "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10. The book "The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future" by Jonathan Cahn is a fascinating and timely read.

The history of the patriarchs is captivating. In Jacob’s and Joseph's time, the Jews went into Egypt as a family and came out as a nation. Moses certainly had his hands full and shows us that even this exemplary man could blow it at the last minute. Moses had to wait until his meeting with Jesus on the the Mount of Transfiguration to gain entry into the promised land.
Jesus said that Moses wrote of him thereby eliminating any question about the validity of the Torah. Wonderful as the Torah is, we Christians are not under the law. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

So many wonderful stories in the Torah, so many lessons to learn and so few words allowed in this exercise.

Since we know that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, what armor do we have against deception? What part do you believe "reason" plays in this? I604-01-7

One of the most interesting books that I have read that deals with great deception was written by a committed atheist, Ayn Rand. Ms. Rand was the author of “Atlas Shrugged”, a book published October 10, 1957 that is very prophetic of today. I first read Atlas Shrugged decades ago and have read it a number of times since.

One reason I bring up a book written by an atheist is that over the years I have argued with people about this book. Instead of having a reason based discussion about Ms. Rand’s political philosophy and support of capitalism, her distractors would bring up the fact that she was rumored to be an admirer of William Edward Hickman, a convicted murderer. Even in the 2012 election a reach too far was this comment, “Mark Ames: Paul Ryan's Guru Ayn Rand Worshipped a Serial Killer Who Kidnapped and Dismembered Little Girls.” It is my theoty that had Ayn Rand been exposed to the KI hink tank she likely would have changed her outlook on Christianity.

From my Facebook post the night of the election:

This week I started another class through the online Koinonia Institute (KI), titled "Analytical Thinking". KI is a Christian think tank that is very helpful in my goal to be a better Christian apologist. Tonight I was watching the election returns with one eye on the TV and one eye on a book I'm reading for the analytical thinking course. I learned a new phrase; ad hominem. From the book "Discerning Truth by Jason Lisle:

"Ad Hominem: The phrase ad hominem is Latin and means “to the man.” The fallacy is so named because it directs an argument against the person making a claim rather than the claim itself. The critic hopes that people will reject his opponent’s claim simply on the basis that there is something objectionable about the person making the claim."

Reading this was like having a light switched on in my brain; in my opinion, the phrase Ad Hominem speaks for itself. Governor Romney was unfairly demonized as being a rich white man out of touch with the average person. At a time when our country is facing high unemployment, horrific debt and an exploding Middle East the red herring was the war on women; code for unfettered abortion. Ad Hominem, it worked on Governor Romney just as it did on Ayn Rand.

In America we voted in an administration that supports same-sex marriage, abortion on demand and throwing Israel under the bus. As I said before, we really hit the trifecta this time.

In my opinion, we are to witness for Jesus and pray, pray, pray. We are to be watchman on the wall and “Put on the whole armour of God." We are very fortunate to have KI where we can learn to be the best Christian apologists possible. We have the tools to hold our own in discussions with the minions of the enemy and stay on topic.

Added later:

Hi Lois, I too had decided long ago who I would vote for in the election. I'm still in having a hard time understanding why Obama was reelected. Some of the talking heads have said that the Republican party needs to be more engaged with minorities. I seem to remember one Governor who implemented workfare rather than welfare. Rather than a handout, give people a hand up and then before long they're supporting themselves and their families. Now it looks like this is old-fashioned thinking. Personal responsibility seems to be falling by the wayside.
In watching the videos I was taken by the quotation "For every unconfessed double standard there is a solid single standard behind it." This certainly was the case with the vast majority of the media. Well, Obama is in for another four years so what we can do is pray to God for the best outcome. In the final analysis it's in His hands not Obama's.

Arutz Sheva 7 Netanyahu: I Will Attack Iran Alone if Necessary 502-03-8

Written for class early on election day hours before the polls closed:

The United States now has an administration that has thrown Israel under the bus. The outcome of today's election is very, very significant both to the United States and to Israel. I've often posted about disasters here in the United States that seem to coincide with our pushing Israeli to give up land and God pushing back. And as for Israel, should Obama be elected today will that push Israel more towards a preemptive strike on Iran? Should Governor Romney be elected Obama still has two months to do lots of damage during the lame duck session.
In a recent speech at the United Nations in September, PM Netanyahu called for a “red line” to prevent Iran from reaching its nuclear ambitions. He used an illustration of a bomb with a lit fuse as a visualization of the threat to Israel from Iran’s atomic agenda.

Although Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu’s family is not of the Tribe of Issachar, it would seem they could be. Chronicles 12:32 “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that hath understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” PM Netanyahu’s father passed recently at the age of 102. Ben-Zion Netanyahu was a professor of history and author who insisted on “the need for eternal vigilance in defense of Jewish rights.” One Netanyahu son is the PM of Israel, another, Iddo, is an author and a third, Yonatan, was killed leading the raid on Entebbe. A family who understands the times, I would say so.

Back to the topic:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahupromises that by the time his term is over, Iran will not have a nuclearweapons program.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161749

This is also covered in The Times of Israel founded editor David Horovitz:

“Netanyahu vows to stop Iran, even in defiance of the United States”

“TV report details assassinations and sabotage in Israel’s decade-long battle to thwart Tehran, traces ups and downs of coordination with Washington; Olmert slams PM for ‘spitting’ in Obama’s face.”

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-vows-to-stop-iran-even-in-defiane-of-the-united-states

Headlines from other sources include“Olmert Plans Comeback to Challenge Netanyahu.” What I remember of Olmert is that he seemed to want to give Israel land away when he was PM. Also, he was convicted of corruption, fined and given a year suspended sentence. Now Olmert plans to challenge PM Netanyahu in the January elections, moved up from next October. And the liberal Haareyz Digital Digetal Edition has an article, “Run, Olmert, run” with the rhetoric “If ex-PM Ehud Olmert chooses to confront Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, he will have demonstrated that, confronted once more with a conflict of interest, he chose the national interest – to attain the two-state salvation for Israel.” Now where I've I heard such bloviating before?

Where have you found Jesus Christ in Genesis? List three places.BIB 502-2-24-1

Wherever the Trinity appears in the Old Testament Jesus Christ is present.

· Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

· Genesis 3:22, “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:”

· Genesis 11:7, “let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.”

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Christ as the Word with God. Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” The Word is also mentioned in Genesis 15:4.

Genesis 14:18-19, “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

The mysterious Melchizedek is usually considered to be an early incarnation of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek was referred to as a priest and a king. There only three occurrences of priests and kings; Melchizedek, Jesus and the Church.

Genesis 18:1-2, “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.” Again the third man is usually considered to be an early incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This is just one of the hundred or more prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament and fulfilled in te New Testament.

What is the value of being a part of a Small Group? BIB 502-2-24-7

I’ll start with churches in general rather than what to me is the value of being a part of a Small Group. I do not care to attend a large impersonal church with one possible exception. Should I ever find myself in San Antonio Texas I would like to hear John Hagee preach at Cornerstone Church.

I can't remember which KI slide presented this information so let me just say thanks to CM.

The Life Cycle of Churches with my added editorial comments in red:

• People-oriented Pastor – describes the church I attend when home in Arizona

• Pulpit-Oriented Pastor

• Property-oriented Pastorate – describes the Protestant church I attended with my mother before she joined the Catholic Church

• Power-oriented Pastorate - Return of the Nicolaitanes – in my opinion, describes the Catholic Church my mother now attends

• Politically-driven decay - Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church and too many others

Back on topic, I much prefer being in a small group to attending church because in my opinion:

• No church politic

• There doesn't seem to be the clicks in a small group that I too often find in church

• Usually an informal setting with lots of individual participation

• Members of a small group seems to me to bond with each other

• The group can get into a very in depth Bible study

• Members of small groups can be very supportive of each other

• Everyone is involved in the discussion unlike in a church setting

• Groups can grow and split into more than one group

• Participants often evolve into group leaders

My favorite Bible study is a small group meeting winters at a camping site in the desert in a 10’ x 20’ tent. Arizona gets a lot of “winter visitors” so the group starts out small in the fall and grows through the winter. My friends will hold their first Bible study this week, however, I’ll still be in California and unable to be present. I'll miss attending, there is something about Studying the Word of God in the desert that makes me feel even closer to Jesus.

One final comment, small groups may very well be the future churches in America as they are in so many other countries. We can see more and more discrimination against the Christian faith and Christians even here in the United States. I would pray that rather than having to go underground, we will see great revival in the United States

Arutz Sheva 7 Rivlin: Obama Victory Would Make Things Difficult BTE 502-3-8

Obama victory would mean ‘difficulties’ for Israelis in Judea and Samaria, Knesset Speaker warns.

“Obama’s diplomatic approach is well known from experience,” he said. “If the current [American] administration is elected a second time, then alongside the positive cooperation, the next [Israeli] government will have difficulties, both in terms of security and in terms of diplomacy, regarding everything involved in strengthening settlements."

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161522

In 2005 the United States had pressured Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. As the settlers were being forced out of their homes by their fellow Israeli, Katrina was forming and on a path to the United States. PM Sharon wanted defendable borders, what he and Israel got was rockets within shorter striking distance and what we got was Katrina.

Our current administration is openly hostile to Israel. Add to that our Secretary of State continues to refer to the settlements as being in the occupied territories. Too many in Washington DC have thrown Israel under the bus and have forgotten that she has an eternal covenant with God for the land. Well, we push Israel and God certainly pushes back.
Hurricane Sandy came roaring on shore 21 years after the Perfect Storm of October 30, 1991. No doubt it was just a coincidence that President George Bush Sr. was pushing the Madrid Peace Process, a plan to divide the land of Israel, including Jerusalem. Now what is it about the number seven and God?

The U.S. election will be held in a few days and, in my opinion, most Bible believing Christians are praying for a new president, a new president who will support Israel. It will not be known for some time the effect of electing of Gov. Romney to the position of President of the United States. Our country is in a terrible mess and Obama will have time to dictate destructive Executive Orders. However, with Romney at the helm I would expect massive firings in Washington DC of the cabinet members and all of the czars that Obama has created.

As an aside, most Europeans are hoping that Obama wins re-election. It appears there are several reasons for wanting to see Obama remained in office. One reason cited was the charisma he demonstrated in the run-up to the election of 2008. Also, it was thought to be a real milestone having a black man elected as the President of the United States. Another reason is the fear that “Romney's passionate pro-Israel and anti-Iran stance could lead to a war that would send energy prices soaring and plunge Europe into a deep recession."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/Walker/2012/10/29/Walkers-World-Europe-wants-Obama-Why/UPI-26101351506600/#ixzz2Aq9NvT5i

Full disclosure, I watch Fox news and I didn't trust Obama from day one. I still remember the Democratic Convention of 2004 when then Senator Obama gave the keynote address. This man came from nowhere to become the most powerful man in the world. In my opinion, it suggests supernatural support.

List three Old Testament “types” and give the New Testament meaning. Which is the most meaningful to you? Why? BTE 502-02-2

Years ago I was shopping in a Christian bookstore in my home state of Michigan. There was papier-mâché facsimile of the tomb in the garden. I looked in and saw the empty slab on which Jesus's body would have rested and remembered that "While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:" Luke 24:4-6.
 
While shorter than the resting place of Jesus, is the bare slab and the two angles a representation of the mercy seat? Another DQ asks if the Mercy Seat would be a fitting throne for Jesus during the Millennium. Absolutely, as I would imagine that the blood was still dripping from his body onto the slab. Very similar to the mercy seat which is sprinkled with blood from sacrificed animals and has cherubim on either side. Jesus paid the price!

At Rephidim the Israelites were out of water and God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff to procure water. Later at Meribah the Israelites were again without water and then God told Moses to talk to the rock and it would produce water. In his frustration Moses struck the rock with his staff and yes he produced water but at a very big cost to himself. The first rock that Moses was to hit was prophetic of the crucifixion of Jesus and talking to the second rock was prophetic of a calling to Jesus, the Living Water.

40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert waiting to be called by God and finally 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. After all this, God would only let Moses see the promised land but not in enter into it due to his disobedience.
The last night the Israelites spent in Egypt, the Angel of death went throughout the country killing the firstborn of both human and animal. A lamb was sacrificed and the blood placed on the door frame as a sign for the Angel of death to pass by. This Passover lamb had to be presented and found perfect several days before was sacrificed.

A few years earlier as Jesus was starting his ministry John the Baptist had the following testimony. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29.

Jesus, our sacrifice a lamb, rode into Jerusalem on a colt as prophesied hundreds of years before and was found to be the perfect sacrifice. This is the most meaningful to me as by Jesus sacrificig Himself for my sins, I have salvation I couldn't earn on my own.

Review Joseph’s stewardship for Pharaoh and the impact it had on Egyptian history. BIB 502-2-23-1

Joseph entered Egypt as a slave and exited in a coffin with his people who were attempting to throw off 400 years of slavery. It's often been said that it took just a few days to get the Jewish race out of Egypt but 40 years to get Egypt out of the Jewish race.

The story of Joseph is well known, how he was tempted by his master's wife who accused him of attempted rape after he refused her. He was in prison for a number of years where he was able to interpret dreams, a talent that led him to Pharaoh’s court. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was elevated to a position second only to Pharaoh. Due to the stockpiling of grains through seven years of plenty, there was a sufficient reserve to feed the Egypt’s during seven years of drought.

You'd think that the average Egyptian watching the government stockpiling grains for seven years would think it was a good idea to put some aside for the future. I wouldn't venture to guess the mind of the average Egyptian at that time; perhaps he expected the government to take care of him. The government took care of the people but at a great price. Pharaoh ended up owning all the livestock and land of the Egyptians. The Egyptians survived the drought to emerged as what would be known in this country as sharecroppers.

Perhaps an analogy can be made to the United States. For years we had great prosperity through the dot com bubble. Also we were told that the American dream is to own your own home and that everyone should own their own home whether they could afford it or not. So we had a housing bubble.

The dot com and housing bubbles burst and our country is in very bad economical shape. During the past few years we have not learned the hard lesson that you can't tax or spend your way out of a recession. Add to that we are evolving into an entitlement society with a seemingly decreasing degree of personal responsibility.

Just as Joseph’s stewardship for Pharaoh had an impact on Egyptian history, the liberal political mentality and morality in Washington is turning the United States into a country our founding fathers would not recognize.

The Egyptians gave up their possessions and their land and became virtual slaves to survive. In their case it was a natural disaster brought on by a drought (God?). In the United States most of the economical disasters have been brought on by the government. In this country we seem to be giving up our rights for security. I can only imagine what will happen people are faced with a one world government and the requirement of taking a mark.

What does it mean to be an earthdweller versus a sojourner? Which are you? BIB 502-2-23-5

To me, earth dwellers would be those who follow the desires of the flesh rather than of the spirit. Our country kicked God out of our schools in the 60s we have certainly paid a high price for it. Many in our society here in the United States have embraced abortion on demand and same-sex marriage. We have a society where if it feels good just do it. Within our churches many pastor don't preach sin and the blood of Christ, rather they seem more like motivational speakers.
 
Long gone are the days of "Gone with the Wind" when people were scandalized by Clark Gable saying "Frankly my dear I couldn't give a damn." Fast-forward more than half a century and the movies now are sexually explicit, extremely violent and promote the occult. Our youth seem to be very taken with the Twilight movies series and I understand have even formed their own vampire clubs.

In large measure, we have become an entitlement driven society with diminishing personal responsibility. Our national debt is horrific and will be passed on to future generations. Our economy is in shambles and the unemployment rate is high. As the earth dwellers hold on to what they considered as valuable, there is only one solution for me. I put my trust in God which leads to the second part of this question.

I am most definitely a sojourner. Even as child I felt out of place. As a young adult I had the responsibility of being a divorced mother of two while attending college. In college and later in the working world I was able to ignore this feeling of detachment. Now to cut through that verbiage, I basically was too busy getting on with life to have time for reflection. In my middle-age the feelings of not really belonging in this world really began to come back to me. As a senior I am “In this world but not of it.”

Well, back to the everyday world, hurricane Sandy certainly kicked up her heels yesterday and is to a lesser degree today. Combine that with earthquake activity, especially offshore Canada, people are beginning to question what really is going on. I would expect that many of the earth dwellers will blame it on global warming or global change. I, and likely of many of my fellow sojourners, have a far different theory(s). Some think that we are under God's judgment and others theorize that God is removing his hedge of protection that has been around the United States for so long. More on this in a later post.

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:1-4

Added later:

And here I thought I was rather critical of the earth dwellers and then I read the following article:
 
"Melding Epochs" by Ron Graham
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/g254.html

Ron Graham is a featured writer with the raptureready.com website. Ron quoted a Bible verse that I had considering adding before I exceeded the number of allowable words.

“And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Genesis 6:7
Continuing in Genesis, “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:13

In addition to Genesis I consider this relevant today. Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

As in the Book of Daniel, it would seem that the "Handwriting is on the wall." Hurricane Sandy has morphed into such a super storm that she is even threatening my home state of Michigan.

What is your “storeroom” crammed full of? 502-01-5

I grew up in the shadow of a beautiful older sister and a very intelligent older brother. My sister Mary smoked from the time she was in her early teens and passed away 11 years ago mostly due to smoking. Mary and I had rocky times when younger but grew very close in our later years. The last two years that she was alive we spent summers in a family RV park. Mary would stop by in her golf cart and off we'd go touring the park and stopping off for an ice cream.

My storeroom contains the grief of losing her too early and years of anger at the tobacco companies. Her marriage was on the rocks and we talked about traveling together after she retired but it was not to be. I carried part of her ashes in my RV for years and then gave them to her son so in a sense we did travel together. My storeroom does contain a little bit of resentment that my sister couldn't/ wouldn’t quit smoking until it had nearly killed her. She finally quit smoking and lived another three years always struggling for breath.

Had Mary never started smoking or quit decades earlier how many more years might we have been able to spend together. I have lots of guilt in my storeroom about my sister’s salvation or lack thereof. I had drifted away from the church so I was not sharing the message the gospel with her before her death. We were both raised in the church and sang in the choir. However it was not a church to talk about sin and being covered by the blood of Christ. Will she be in heaven or will there be tears in heaven for me because I failed my sister? Only God knows her heart and I just pray that she'll be there waiting for me.

And then there is my older brother Frank. In high school he was an all-around star athlete as well as a very capable student. My sister was a cheerleader while he was the jock and I was the pesky little sister. Frank went on to become an electrical engineer and in his later years earned a Masters’ degree. I joke that he got his Masters’ degree because I already had mine. Frank is still very much alive and knows that I'm a witnessing born-again Christian. His wife is very much into the Catholic Church after decades of being away from it. I don’t think my brother will ever join the Catholic Church and my sister-in-law will never join a Bible based church. Perhaps someday….

I watched the Strategic Trends 2012 in the KI Trust website this week-end. When I tried to tell my brother about it I became tongue-tied, more stuff in my storeroom left over from childhood.

List three occasions where we run across bread and wine? Can you detect a remez? BIB 502-2-22-5

!. In reading the Book of Exodus, The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, I didn’t find any mention of wine along with “The Bread of Affliction.” However, wine is prominent in the Passover Seder:
 
Cup One, The Cup of Consecration. “I will take you out of Egypt”
Cup Two, The Cup of Deliverance
Cup Three, The Cup of Redemption
Cup Four, “I will take you to be My people!”

2. Melchizedek – Priest of God Most High - http://christianity.about.com/od/oldtestamentpeople/a/Melchizedek.htm
“The Bible does not shed any light on Melchizedek's religious rituals either, except to mention that he brought out "bread and wine" for Abram. This act and Melchizedek's holiness have led some scholars to describe him as a type of Christ, one of those Bible people who show the same qualities as Jesus Christ, Savior of the World. With no record of father or mother, and no genealogical background in Scripture, this description is fitting. Other scholars go a step further, theorizing that Melchizedek may have been a theophany of Christ, or a manifestation of deity in temporary form."
Now that is a remez!

3. While in prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of a baker and the wine steward to pharaoh. Perhaps there is a Remez in the fact that the Baker was executed and the wine steward was allowed to return to his duties. Our bodies could be represented by bread and will pass away as did the baker. 1 Corinthians 15:50, “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” However, we are covered by the blood of Jesus and the blood that purified us will assure us of our salvation and our eternal home with Jesus.

4. The Last Supper
Matthew 26:26, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Matthew 26:28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Arutz Sheva News Report, Obama: 'Apology Tour' is 'Biggest Whopper of Campaign' 502 2-8

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161293

“President Obama called Romney's allegation that he went on an “apology tour” in his first year in office the “biggest whopper” of campaign.” By Rachel Hirshfeld First Publish: 10/23/2012, 10:44 AM

“President Obama called Mitt Romney's allegation that he went on an “apology tour” in his first year in office the “biggest whopper” of the campaign and proceeded to slam his Republican adversary for raising money during his trip to Israel this summer.
Gov. Mitt Romney responded, “Mr. President, the reason I call it an apology tour is because you went to the Middle East and you flew to Egypt and to Saudi Arabia and to Turkey and Iraq,” Romney said, refusing to back down on his claims. “And by the way, you skipped Israel, our closest friend in the region, but you went to the other nations. And, by the way, they noticed that you skipped Israel. And then in those nations and on Arabic TV you said that America had been dismissive and derisive.”

“I think they looked at that and saw weakness,” Romney said. “It's essential for a president to show strength from the very beginning.”

The above article included more back-and-forth between the Obama camp and Mitt Romney's.
Understandably Israel is closely watching the presidential election here in the United States. We have been an ally to Israel since President Truman first recognized her in 1948. For decades America has been that city on a hill hugely blessed by God. In my opinion, as in the opinion of many others, this blessing came from our support of Israel. A little talked about fact is that much of the financing for our War of Independence was from a Jewish individual named Haym Solomon.

The U.S. could have been far more supportive of Israel; however, the presidency of Jimmy Carter struck a major blow to our relationship. Could I have been so blind as to vote for him? As a matter of fact I did because I liked his continual talk about zero-based budgeting. Well we all know what a failure he was both as a president and now as a former president who is a very vocal anti-Semite.

There seems to be two schools of thought about the outcome of the election. If president Obama is reelected the gloves will really come out and I fear not only for my country but the fact that we will likely leave Israel completely exposed to her enemies. It was very telling that Obama was caught on a hot microphone during a private talk with Medvedev in Seoul, urging Moscow to give him "space" until after November.

In the event Obama is re-elected, Israel may very well make a preemptive strike against Iran. Back in the days of the Cold War between the United States and Russia we had “mutually assured destruction” and a balance was maintained for a long time. This is not the case in dealing with Iran and the “Twelvers.” For them to die is to gain Paradise. Israel will have to do something to protect herself likely with little help from the U.S. if Obama is elected.
Should Gov. Romney win the election for president, Pres. Obama will still have several weeks to cause destruction to the United States. Already there are rumors that he has a number of executive orders ready for signature. It's also rumored that the UN will actually oversee our presidential election; an absolutely huge oxymoron. I question whether there'll be enough time for Romney to clean up the immediate mess and do much to come to the aid of Israel.

Perhaps all this will lead into either to Psalms 83 or the Magog Invasion. We do know that "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" Psalm 121:4

List 5 examples of where we find “three days” throughout the Bible. BIB 502-2-22-6

A quick word search of the Bible for “three days” brought up 60 individual references.
 
1. The numbers of days that Jesus remained in the tomb. When I was a child it didn't make sense to me that Jesus was placed in the tomb Friday before sunset and arose Sunday morning. This would not have been even 48 hours much less three days. Jesus was very specific about the three days and also the relationship to Jonah’s time in the whale. So when I read about a Wednesday crucifixion it makes more sense to me.

2. The number of days that Jonah remained in the belly of the whale. So was Jonah really alive for three days in the belly of the well or was he actually dead and possibly being dissolved by gastric juices. Even if this were the case God certainly had it within his power to resurrect Jonah after three days. The whale spit out Jonah where he was supposed to go in the first place had he obeyed God.

3. Abraham was tested by God when asked to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. The number of days that it took Abraham and Isaac to reach mountain in the region of Moriah was three days. Genesis 22:4 “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.”

4. Esther 4:16 "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Continuing in the Book of Esther 5:1 “Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house."

5. Joseph spent three days in the pit/well his brothers had thrown him into. Both of the dreams that Joseph interpreted while imprisoned involved three days. In the case of the Baker would be three days before his head would be lifted and in the case of the wine steward three days before he be back in the good graces of pharaoh and serving him wine.

Discuss the many ways that the Book of Ruth is a foreshadowing of God’s program for the Church? BIB 502-2-21-1

The Book of Ruth is a very short book and sometimes dismissed as a pretty story of Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and the love story between Ruth and Boaz. It is so much more! The Book of Ruth is prophetic of Jesus as the Kinsman-Redeemer and the Church as the Gentile Bride. As Boaz redeemed Ruth as his bride and Naomi her land, Jesus has redeemed the Church and He will redeem Israel.

Names of all have special meaning; Naomi is beautiful, pleasing, Ruth is friend and Boaz is strength. And what a loyal friend/ daughter Ruth was to Naomi.
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” Ruth 1:16-17
The lyrics to “Whither Thou Goest” sung by Les Paul and Mary Ford were based on this Old Testament story of Naomi and Ruth.

As an interesting aside, King David’s lineage was encrypted in the Hebrew text of Genesis 38 in 49-letter Intervals. Boaz and Ruth, their son Obed, Obed’s son Jesse and Jesse’s son King David. There had been quite a scandal concerning the birth of Pharez to Ruben by his daughter-in-law. King David was the 10^th generation after Pharez. The Bible is truly amazing!
Plus there is an unnamed servant who introduced Boaz to Ruth. So very much to this little book.

Totally unrelated, however, Esther is another woman who played an important role in Jewish history by saving her people from destruction. The following is from Joel Rosenberg’s book released 2012-10-15, “Israel at War : Inside the Nuclear Showdown with Iran.”
“The New York Times then ran this intriguing story: “In a Computer Worm, a Possible Biblical Clue.” Wrote reporters John Markoff and David Sanger, “Deep inside the computer worm that some specialists suspect is aimed at slowing Iran’s race for a nuclear weapon lies what could be a fleeting reference to the book of Esther, the Old Testament tale in which the Jews pre-empt a Persian plot to destroy them. That use of the word ‘Myrtus’— which can be read as an allusion to Esther— to name a file inside the code is one of several murky clues that have emerged as computer experts try to trace the origin and purpose of the rogue Stuxnet program.”

I read Joel’s book in less than two days and I recommend reading it. We are certainly living in interesting times.

In what ways would you consider yourself to be a sojourner? BIB 502-2-21-4

To be a sojourner is to reside temporarily. There are many verses in the Bible that deal with the sojourner. My understanding from the following is that if you reside temporarily in an area you pretty much adhere to the local customs. For example, Numbers 15:16, “One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.” There is a provision for a person to reside in a “City of refuge.” Numbers 35:15, “These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.”

That said I consider myself to be a sojourner. I don't think I ever felt like I really fit into this world. I rather suspect that I used adaptive behavior when I was younger in an effort to belong. The Bible says it best, "In this world but not of it." Perhaps this feeling of not really belonging is due in part to a near death from drowning when I was very young. Or perhaps it was having had polio at the age of six which resulted in my being considered different then other six-year-olds. It could have been be my early exposure to the love Jesus has for us in Sunday School. Whatever the reason I've always had a longing for something more, another more perfect place.

Several weeks ago I wrote on another discussion question concerning the tent an emblem. I am again reminded of the western themed movies in which the cowboy would drift into town, get rid of the bad guys, win the heart of a local young woman and then would say “ma’am, I’m just passing through.” Then the cowboy would saddle his horse and shake the dust of civilization from his well-worn boots. He would embark on a journey to some random destination; an unknown destination but one that called very strongly to him. How often have I felt like that cowboy and that I am just passing through and not really at home here on our current planet earth. I have both eagerness and a sense of anticipation for the return of Jesus for His Church.

Are there “strange gods” co-existing in our lives? What are we to do with them? BIB 502-2-20-2

Pride and being competitive are major faults with me. Getting an education and having interesting and productive jobs was of prime importance to me. In my early career I worked in the Consumer Produces area. I would often be directly approached by someone in another department wanting to get something done. Often I did an end run around proper channels to do that favor in addition to my assigned work. I took great pride in knowing that I was reliable and would do more than expected. Well, it did get me in trouble a few times.

Later I changed careers drastically and went to work in the aerospace industry. My desire to achieve really got the best of me when I discovered that three of us were developing packaging specifications for the same repair part. I found a computer printout dealing with the spare parts we were working on and this little list grew into a large database of who was doing what. This eliminated the duplication of effort which was so wasteful of our time and taxpayers’ money.

From this one exposure to what computers could do I decided that I needed to learn more. And learn more I certainly did. I worked my way into a niche and was happy for years. I had a special computer that could be either a personal computer or a dumb terminal. I would literally be running through a list of spare parts on the mainframe and working on a report on the PC. Things started going from bad to worse in the aerospace industry and eventually the stress got to me and I took a voluntary layoff.
Meanwhile I had done some work in the real estate area so I tried that for a year or two. Once again computers came very much into play and I organize my own private multiple listing file. I wasn't much of a team player and while I was successful in real estate sales I challenged my broker once too often. The broker was known for “my way or the highway” so it was a highway for me.

By this time I was burnout so I really dropped out. Never one to do anything half way, I bought a house on 20 acres 25 miles from paved roads. The only electricity I had was from solar panels and storage batteries augmented by generators. After two years off the grid I felt closer to God and pretty much healed spiritually. I was ready to get back on the grid and reengaged with life.

In all the years I worked with computers they were not a god to me so much as just being very importance in my life. So what to do with this thing called computers? Just use them to continue to learn and to work to bring more into the kingdom while there is still time.