David Stein
The Harvests of God
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7) When you hear the word “harvest” what do you think of? If you are a farmer, you probably think of the results of your work and effort through a growing season. But most Bible students probably think immediately of that beautiful parable Jesus gave concerning the wheat and the tares and its application [...]
Turn to Ashes
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures the concept of sacrificing animals is an integral part of worshipping God. The straightforward procedure is to build an altar, put wood on it, light the fire, slay an animal, and then place it on the altar to be consumed. The worshipper thus demonstrates his desire to gain God’s approval by offering an animal sacrifice that cost him something. That [...]
Moses, the Reluctant Servant
“I will send thee” (Exodus 3:10). With good reason, Moses is highly esteemed as the servant of Jehovah. He was the agent God used to free the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. He then led them for forty years in the wilderness. He is called the meekest, or humblest, man in the earth (Numbers 12:3). So it may be of some surprise to [...]
The Resurrection Body of Jesus
It is the view of most in Christendom that the body with which Jesus was resurrected from the dead was some kind of glorified flesh. Though extremely popular, this view presents a number of scriptural questions. Very few Christians would deny that Jesus gave his life as a ransom, that is, because of the penalty of death pronounced upon Adam (and his progeny) for [...]
The Wandering of Hagar
And Abraham ... took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba" (Genesis 21:14). Sometimes in scripture we have occasions where God approves of actions that we might not think to be very kind. A frequent target of Bible [...]
Put to Death Flesh, Raised Spirit
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). All Christians rejoice in the truth of the resurrection of our Lord. But the details of what that resurrection entails, as viewed by most of Christianity, diverges significantly from [...]
The Ordinances of the Altar
“And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon” (Ezekiel 43:18). Ezekiel’s Temple is a glorious structure found in Ezekiel chapters 40 through 48. It is primarily a picture of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, conveying various aspects [...]
The Third Epistle of John
“The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth” (3 John 1). This third epistle of John was written to a private individual as opposed to a church. It was probable that the family kept the epistle private until the death of Gaius. Only after that did it likely come to light as a product of the Apostle John. It [...]
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
“When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). We all know the emotional connection we have with our mothers. They have more influence in our lives than our fathers for we all imprint on our mother’s voice and chemical signature from the time late in the first trimester [...]
Gather My Saints Together
“Gather My saints together unto Me” (Psalms 50:5). This Psalm is a Psalm of judgment. It opens with a proclamation. Verse 1: “The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.” The various names of God here are impressive. He is called “Yaweh El Elohim,” or Jehovah the mighty one of [...]
Tikkun Olam
“In that day shall Israel be ... a blessing in the midst of the land” (Isaiah 19:24). In 2013, a video was released entitled “Israel Inside.” The video describes various groups of Israelis who have a special passion of doing good for others. These groups include engineers, doctors, nurses, farmers, entrepreneurs, inventors, and many others. One of their central concepts is a philosophy called [...]
The Waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-27)
“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah” (Exodus 15:23). The nation of Israel had just been through the most amazing experience of their lifetimes. They had witnessed the awesome power of their God, a God with whom they had been acquainted only through the [...]
Water from the Rock at Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-7)
“And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to the commandment of Jehovah, and en camped in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1). Chapter 17 opens with the nation of Israel pitching their tents in Rephidim after a journey of several stops coming from the wilderness [...]
Selection of a Bride
Rebecca the bride for Isaac, Genesis 24 Our lives are made up of decisions. Some decisions are trivial, others are momentous. The decision to select a bride to marry is a momentous and lifechanging decision. Jehovah selected a bride for his Son. This exceedingly momentous selection involves each of us: “No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: [...]
The Contest with Amalek
(Exodus 17:8-16) Exodus chapter 17 opens with the Israelites pitching their tents in Rephidim. Here they encountered another test of faith respecting their need for water (see Exodus 15:27 for an earlier one). They also they encountered another major threat: “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim” (verse 8).[1] The Amalekites were the aggressors. Amalek is later specifically mentioned in the Book [...]
Good King Manasseh?
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign ... he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hephzibah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah” (2 Kings 21:1‑2). The account of King Manasseh in Judah given to us in 2 Kings 21 paints a picture of a very bad King who, ironically, [...]
Redemption as Shown in the Tabernacle
The ransom is the foundation of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. It contains the fundamental idea of a corresponding price — Jesus for Adam, that is, substitutionary atonement. As explained in Tabernacle Shadows, pages 51-52: “The bullock represented Jesus at the age of thirty years — the perfect man who gave himself and died on our behalf. The High Priest, as we [...]
Pictures of Jesus’ Sacrifice
“All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). There are so many prophecies that were fulfilled in the final days and hours of Jesus life. What is interesting to consider is the question: What did Jesus know about his sacrificial death ahead of time? We suggest that [...]
Did Jesus have Brothers and Sisters (Siblings)?
The Roman Catholic church claims that Jesus was an only child and that those described as his “brethren” were cousins rather than siblings. These brethren are mentioned numerous times in scripture. Matthew 12:46, “While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.” Luke 8:19, 20, “And there came to him his mother [...]
King David, a Model of Repentance
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Psalms 51:1). One of the questions candidates are usually asked at a baptismal service is, “Do you acknowledge yourself a sinner in need of redemption?” This acknowledgment is an essential part of growing a relationship with God. With that acknowledgment must [...]
Animals that Represent Jesus
“The Lion of the tribe of Judah ... hath overcome” (Revelation 5:5). In the symbology and typology of scripture, Jesus is depicted in a variety of ways. The choice of these symbols is, of course, the divine choice, and each has with it specific lessons associated with the qualities of the type. Among these types are several different animals used to represent Jesus. Each [...]
I Have Sinned
“I have sinned ... Jehovah is righteous” (Exodus 9:27) This particular declaration, which is a confession of sin, occurs eight times in the Scriptures. We might think that such an expression would be a positive indicator of a new course. But in reviewing the occasions where it occurs, we find a surprising reversal. (1) BY PHARAOH Exodus 9:27 — “And Pharaoh sent, and called [...]
The Law as a “Schoolmaster”
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). The Greek word translated “schoolmaster” is — παιδαγογός — paidagogos. This word occurs three times in the New Testament, Galatians 3:24, 25, and 1 Corinthians 4:15. Paul selected this word here because it beautifully describes the function of the Law to bring Israel to [...]
Coverings of the Ark of the Covenant
When the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall go in, and his sons, and they shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it, and shall put thereon a covering of sealskin, and shall spread over it a cloth all of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof” (Numbers 4:5,6 ASV). Among the many details given [...]
The Specialness of the Tribe of Levi
“Thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony ... and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle” (Numbers 1:50). Background — Following the Exodus from Egypt, Numbers chapters 13 and 14 recount that twelve spies, one selected from each tribe, were sent out to reconnoiter the Promised Land. Ten of the twelve spies brought back a bad [...]
Manna and Quail (Exodus 16)
“And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host” (Exodus 16:13). Israel had just spent several weeks at the beautiful wilderness oasis of Elim. They continued their journey to the Promised Land on the 15th day of the second month. Verse 1: “And they took their [...]
286.1 Inches
“In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to Jehovah. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto Jehovah of hosts in the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 19:19, 20). Most Bible Students who are readers of this journal are familiar with the spiritual [...]
The Sacrificial Ritual of Ezekiel 43
Understanding Leviticus chapter 16 has blesssed Bible Students for well over 120 years.1 It is interesting to note that Ezekiel 43:18-27 has many of the same symbols and overall tone. We believe it is another picture of the Antitypical Atonement Day sacrifices of the Gospel Age, as it is a ritual that takes place immediately before the activation of Ezekiel's Temple, which is a [...]
Thanksgiving in our Hearts
Is there a method for cultivating mindfulness? The one we may choose is gratefulness, which can be practiced, cultivated, learned. And as we grow in gratefulness, we grow in mindfulness. With our waking thoughts and prayers, as our eyes greet the morning, we may remind ourselves that we have eyes to see while millions of our human brothers and sisters are blind in their [...]
Sources of Abraham’s Faith
Abraham was a wonderfully faithful man. He is referred to as the father of the faithful. “They which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). But one might ask, where did Abraham get this wonderful faith? There are at least three possible sources. (1) FROM PROMISES TO HIS FOREFATHERS Paul defines faith as, “the substance of things hoped for, [...]