Category Archives: Bible Study

The Lamb

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Jesus was born a baby in a stable and was a king; He was a lamb and the Lion of Judah. He had shepherds and scholars seek Him out to give Him praise. Jesus has many crowns or titles that are His.

My thought for this post came as I was studying Leviticus 8 and 9. These chapters detail the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priest and the first community “church” service at the new Tabernacle. Lambs, rams, and he-goats, animals from the flock, were used in these two chapters. But they were not all for the sin offering. A bull and goat were the offerings for sin, why? I am not sure I have an answer for that question, about those two offerings. The bull was for the priest and the goat was for the people’s offerings. (My feeling is the bull is associated with Egypt and Aaron made a golden calf at Mt. Sinai. The goat would become the offering for the Day of Atonement.)  

It made me think, why is Jesus our sin offering? He is not referred to as a bull or goat and there is no artwork from the Middle Ages, that I can think of, where Jesus is a bull or goat. John the Baptist’s iconic statement stems from Passover, Jesus died at Passover. The first lamb’s blood delivered Israel from the Death Angel, who became prominent after Adam and Eve ate the fruit and allowed him in the world.   

I see another connection to Jesus and the Passover. In The Day of Atonement, Passover, and Epiphany I make the point that Zachariah was offering incense behind the curtain in the Temple, The Day of Atonement. Count out the months and Gabriel went to Mary six months later, Passover. Jesus’ conception was at Passover, He came out in the winter months, Epiphany/Christmas. At the darkest time of the year the “Light of the World” was born.  

I feel these lay a good foundation to discuss Jesus as the Lamb of God.

  • Genesis 22:8 – God provided Abraham with a lamb to replace Issac as an offering.
  • Exodus 12:3 – Take a lamb for your family so the Death Angel will pass over you.
  • Isaiah 53:7 – The lamb did not open His mouth as He was led to the slaughter.
  • John 1:29 – John the Baptist announced Jesus was the Lamb who would take away the sin of the world.
  • Revelation 5:6  And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NASB)

Other lamb ideas to consider: 1. Did God clothe Adam and Eve in the Garden with sheepskins? 2. Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem, the house of bread, if He was a lamb? 3. Is Jesus the Lamb of God or the Great Shepherd?

  1. We do not know the exact animal, but it is consistent with the practice that the “flock” would provide sacrificial animals. If this was the first sacrifice, the second one with Abel is also associated with the flock.
  2. Bethlehem was David’s hometown, so that is a big connection. Rachel died near there and Jeremiah announces a horrible act that King Herod would do, the Death of the Innocent. The lambs for Temple use were raised in this area, and those strips of cloth Mary wrapped Jesus in may have been for wrapping those sacrificial lambs. The strips are said to have come from retired vestments of the priest.
  3. Both, Jesus wears more than one crown. He was our Passover Lamb before the Resurrection and our Great Shepherd after He rose from the dead; think Lamb to Great Shepherd like Baby to Lord of all creation. Hebrews 13:20 is the reference that coins the phrase “Great Shepherd”, but there are verses in the Old Testament that foretell this. Micah 5:4 is an example; you may need to check several translations if you are doing a word search.

Balaam Announces the King – Christmas 2024

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My first title was God Used Balaam to Announce Immanuel; the thought is there in Numbers 24:7 but it says King and not Immanuel or Messiah. If I was looking for an earthly king, which one would I chose? Saul or David were true oil-anointed kings, but they were far off. Moses or Joshua were “kings” of a sort, but not really. Then we must realize Balaam already could see God was with Israel, just ask him (vs. 3-5 and in oracles 1,2, and 4). You just have to know God used Balaam so a Gentile “wiseman” announced King Jesus.

Who was this enigmatic Balaam? Much has been written. The Bible says he lived at Pethor near the River (22:5), and Balak saw he walked in the promise of Abraham (22:6). After that he had a donkey talk to him and he was killed in Numbers 31:8. I see him as a proto-Judas figure who knew the truth, but he still betrayed the King for money. I think he was a great grandchild of Abraham through Katurah. Midian was one of her children and Moab was from Lot. Balaam joins Melchizedek and Job as non-Jacob related characters who God used for His glory.

Numbers 24:7b Their king will be higher than Agag and his kingdom lifted high.8 God, who brought them out of Egypt (CJB). The fourth oracle goes on to talk about a STAR (vs. 17) coming out of Jacob and a scepter from Israel.

So, how do I end this post? A deep productive look at the Hebrew words in these verses. A grand list of the types and shadows. How about: God has always had a plan to bring mankind back to Himself, so we can have righteous fellowship with Him. From this story today, I chose to see the Christmas story being introduced by Balaam.

Merry Christmas,

Mark

Lord’s Prayer – Forgive, Sin/Debts

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Matthew 6:12 and Luke 11:4a focuses on two things: forgive and sins/debits. No, these are not perfectly identical. Luke’s version is longer and gives more details. I suggest you use Mounce or do a text analysis and compare our translations with the Greek. A major difference between Matthew and Luke is that Luke uses two words for sins. Here are some of the words you will see in these two versions of the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:12 MOUNCE – and forgive us our sins, as we also – Bible Gateway

Luke 11:4 MOUNCE – and forgive us our sins, for we – Bible Gateway

In non-biblical Greek writings, the words forgive, sin, and debit are frequently found in legal and commercial matters. This complements Jesus’ last utterance on the cross of a single Greek word. That single word was tetelestai, that is everything, everyone, and all has been paid for, and any debit has been taken care of in the future. THANK YOU, LORD JESUS.

This legal side of righteousness reminds me of the verses of Exodus 34:6-7 and Nehemiah 9:17 where the attributes of God are given. Him being willing to forgive us is just one of the things He is and does.

The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23

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I have had a season of studying on bread, The Lord’s Prayer, epiousious, and I have looked at Psalm 23. These all came together when I thought about epiousious and the Lord preparing a table for me. The Father’s message about His Kingdom does not change, He may say it in a different way but the meaning is the same.

As I am learning how to use columns in WordPress this is visually off. It is the NASB translation; I have added the different effects to show how I think the sections relate.

Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread.

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And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Lord is my shepherd,


I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.


Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

The Lord’s Prayer – Kingdom

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The Lord telling us to pray for the Kingdom was bold then and of major importance for us today.

We have clearly addressed Who we are praying to and clarified where He is. That led us to praising Him by reminding ourselves He is holy. Our very first petition in this prayer is asking for the Father’s Kingdom to come. So, why was this a bold statement to make?

Jesus’ audience was very aware of who they were and their connection with God. They were the people God had selected, His kingdom people. Hebrews had history with God and they knew the promises that were theirs because of that history. Now, let me try to fit this prayer into the Gospels and remind us of Jesus and how we are His Kingdom.

Your kingdom come. Matthew 6:10a and Luke 11:2

In Matthew 3 and 4 (The First Block of Kingdom teaching) Jesus repeats John’s message of “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (NIV) He tells the good news of the kingdom and reenforces His words by healing the sick. He then taught the Sermon on the Mount and shared more of His vision about His kingdom, this includes the Lord’s Prayer.

*Notes to Myself* Father was not a common way for Hebrews to speak about Jehovah God. The thought of the Father’s kingdom “to come” would have been met with very different ideas from these groups.

  • The People – This was the real power group in Israel, but I am not sure they realized that. Like now, they may have been fickle and easily swayed. There were many voices telling them different things and a common thread may have been how “we” are smarter, more holy, and stronger. Jesus went to them with the Good News, these others were just in the crowds.
  • Pharisees – They fostered the synagogues.  
  • Essenes – I know a little about this group but not a lot. John the Baptist may have been one and they did the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • Zealots – If you hear “The Fourth Philosophy” on The Chosen, this is who they were talking about.
  • Sadducees – They controlled the Temple and did not want to lose it.
  • Herod – He definitely had his own vision and opinion.
  • Rome – They thought they were the kingdom.
  • Rebel groups – I am not sure all violent groups were Zealots.  

Could you see those three words (Your kingdom come) as a call for evangelism or mission work? Is it a form of Revelation 22:20 – Come, Lord Jesus? We could advance to the Second Block of Kingdom Teaching where Jesus has told the Twelve in Matthew 10:7 that the kingdom of heaven has come near, or Matthew 12:28 when He affirms that because demons are cast out that the Kingdom of God has come. I will be honest; those three words have made me think more the last several years than ever before. Just three words from our Savior and Lord can and should give us a lot to think about. If you do a word search/study Luke has many examples of “kingdom, come”.

We are/will be the Bride of Christ, so I will present a different look at Jesus’ first time here and His return. (A look into Hebrew wedding practices may help.)

  • Jesus came to select and call His Bride.
  • The ride into Jerusalem was Him going to claim His Bride and pay the bride price.
  • He paid the price and left.
  • Jesus is waiting on the Father to tell Him to come and get His Bride.

What does this kingdom look like? Jesus used parables and many start with “the kingdom of God is like”. Those parables talked about individuals finding the kingdom, using your talents, evangelism, and feast. There are also warnings about those who chose not to find Jesus’s kingdom.

The Father also talks about His kingdom in the Old Testament. It reflects who He is and what is important to Him. Holiness, Righteousness, justice, and forgiving are attributed to Him, but so is judgment for those who refuse to do right.  I have noticed that people like to tell God how His kingdom must work, most of this appears to be based on their emotions and poor choices.

Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10b; this phrase was apparently not in Luke in the earliest versions.

I read this somewhere and liked it (no reference), “Father rule on earth as you do in heaven”. Verse 10 has legal overtones, especially this part. The on-line Strong’s does make mention of this. The Greek word for will is thelema and this form of the word is in Matthew 6:10, 18:14, and 26:42. These are just a few times thelema is used in the Gospels