The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Revelation Lesson 19: The Church at Sardis - Part III

The resurrected Christ had very bluntly told the church at Sardis (representing the Church of the Reformation and Protestantism) that although she had "a name" as a Church faithful to His teaching, yet His assessment of her spiritual life was that she was "dead".  Sadly, we find today that many Protestant churches are just going through the form, rituals, traditions, and motions of external Christianity, but are void of the life and empowerment of the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself.  The reason is that these churches are full of professing only "believers" (those with head knowledge, but no heart knowledge - for they have never truly been "born again").

A church is in serious danger of dying when it begins to worship its past (heritage) and when it is more concerned with it committee meetings and programs than with proclaiming the Gospel and telling people how to be SAVED!  When a church gets to the point of loving systems, social status in the community, and men's acclaim more than it loves Jesus Christ; when it is more concerned with temporant than spiritual things, it is a dying church (if not already dead).

Revelation Lesson 18: The Church at Sardis Part II

This is a continuation of our study on Christ's words to "The Dead Church," the church at Sardis.  This stage in Church history began well (it was a work of God), but, sadly, did not continue well.  She began to rest in ease on her good name (she had good heritage) and her good doctrinal position, and subsequently neglected her practice.  As with the history of the original city named Sardis, the church of Sardis failed to keep alert, and Satan marched right in her front door and over-sowed her heavily with tares! 

It is beneficial for every Christian to study the progressive history of Christendom to better understand how and why the dogmas, creeds, and traditions of the various church denominations originated, and where we are today in Church history (and what has caused us to be here)!  Discussed in this lesson: John Knox, John Calvin, John Huss, Martin Luther, Zwingli, the Puritans, Lollards, Anabaptists, Waldensians, Huguenots, Presbyterianism, Lutheranism, Consubstantiation, etc.

This brief Reformation history lesson will help you understand the Lord's words to all who are represented by Sardis, ". . . for I have not found thy works perfect before God".  Learn Christ's formula for revival from His important words to this church!  

Revelation Lesson 17: Thyatira - Part III / Sardis - Part I

This lesson discusses the remainder of what the resurrected Lord said to the members of the church at Thyatira (see lessons 15 and 16), where the evil "Jezebel" had a tremendous influence, which unfortunately continues to this day in much of Christendom. 

We also begin to study the Lord's letter to the fifth church, the church at Sardis, which means "escaping ones" or "remnant," and represents the Reformation stage of Church history.  

How did a stage in Church history that began so wondrously and vibrantly that men and women were willing to give their lives for the true Gospel message - salvation by grace through faith alone - come to the point where she heard these words from Jesus, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (Revelation 3:1)?  Listen to this (and lesson 18) to find out.  Also find out what she needed to come ALIVE from her spiritually dead condition.

Revelation Lesson 16: The Church at Thyatira - Part II

This is our continuation of Christ's fourth church letter of Revelation chapters 2 and 3.  A very, very serious letter, which corresponds to the stage in Church history when the Papal Church dominated Christendom.

Revelation Lesson 15: The Church at Thyatira - Part I

The seven church letters given by the resurrected Christ prophetically spelled-out exactly what would take place in Church history!  It is amazing!  Coming to His fourth letter, to the church at Thyatira, we find the longest letter and it represents the period from approximately A.D. 600 to 1500.  It was when Romanism (an ungodly mixture of paganism, Judaism, and Christianity) dominated Christendom.  It was the time commonly called "The Dark Ages".

We discuss many very serious matters in this lesson.  Was Peter the first pope, as Catholicism claims?   Was the Catholic church the first church, from which most of Christendom "broke off"?Who is represented by the false prophetess of this letter named Jezebel?  What was she saying that worked to seduce the church to commit "fornication" with paganism?  Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "the Son of God" to the church at Thyatira, which represents the stage of Church history that made Jesus very popular as the Son of Mary?  Oh, did you know this?  Prior to being called "Thyatira," the city was name "Semiramis" (wife of Nimrod of the Tower of Babel fame), who was worshipped as "the queen of Heaven". 

Why is "Thyatira," which in Greek means "continual sacrifice," an appropriate name for this representative time in Church history, when the Mass and the unbiblical teaching of Transubstantiation developed?

Revelation Lesson 14: The Church at Pergamos - Part II

The First Century city of Pergamos was a very prominent religious center loaded with temples for the worship of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Asklepios and temples dedicated to worship of the Roman emperors ("the Caesar Cult").  It was an atmosphere completely adverse to Christianity.  In this lesson, you will learn some fascinating facts about this time in history, including Emperor Constantine's "supposed" conversion to Christianity.  Unfortunately, he became Satan's "instrument" to "marry" the church to the world by "elevating" her status (the meaning of the word "pergamos" is "marry" or "elevate").

Find out how church services began to be gradually and heavily influenced by paganism and covered in a ritualism that strongly resembled Babylonian mysticism!  When did prayers for the dead, the worship of angels, the Mass, Mary-worship, the doctrine of purgatory, and the idea of extreme unction come from?  Answer:  during the Pergamite stage of Church history.

Who were Gaius and Antipas in relation to the church at Pergamos?  What is "the doctrine of Balaam"?  What commendation did the Lord have for this church?  What serious words of reproof did He speak to her?  What promises (3 of them) did He give for the "overcomers"?

Revelation Lesson 13: Smyrna - Part II / Pergamos - Part I

The Lord's letter to the church at Smyrna is the shortest of the seven Revelation letters, but it contains the most comfort, encouragement, and assurance of victory.  It also does not contain a single word of condemnation!  Christ's words to this First Century church have aided persecuted believers not only during the "ten days" of Roman persecution (see Revelation 2:10), but to our modern day, as Christianity is greatly under fire today all over the world, including America.  Christ's promise to those in His body who suffer for righteousness' sake is a crown of life.  We briefly discuss the six crowns promised believers in the Scripture.

In the second half of this lesson, we begin to look at the Lord's words to the church at Pergamos, His third Revelation church to address.  Pergamos, which means "thoroughly married" or "elevated," prophetically pictured the third definitive stage in Church history that began in A.D. 313 under Emperor Constatine and ended in A.D. 590.  This church, unfortunately, "married" the world (she was "elevated" by the world), and, subsequently, she compromised her testimony for Christ by tolerating false teachings and paganism and succumbing to the temptation of worldly treasures.  

Pergamos, Christ said, was where Satan had his "headquarters" (2:13) at that time!  Find out what that means, and why the Lord identified Himself to this church as the One with "the sharp sword of two edges" (2:12).  

Revelation Lesson 12: The Church at Smyrna - Part I {The Persecuted Church‘}

In this lesson (and half of lesson 13), we discuss the resurrected Christ's words to the church at Smyrna; a name derived from the word "myrrh," from the word "martyr".  As with Ephesus, the name is most appropriate for the second church, which  represents the second stage of Church history (A.D. 64 to 313); the stage of enormous persecution.  Myrrh is a resin-like substance that emits a beautiful fragrance when it is crushed!  Find out the 3 other times  "myrrh" occurs in the New Testament; there is a fascinating link between this church and Christ!  This is the poor church Jesus called "rich," and to which He spoke no admonition! 

Find out who Christ referred to when He talked about the blasphemy of those who claimed to be Jews, but "are the synagogue of Satan" (2:9).  Ever hear of the Judiazers?  

Learn about a man named Polycarp, a leader in the church at Smyrna (led to Christ by the Apostle Paul), and his amazing last words as he was being burned alive for his faith!  Interestingly, in speaking to this church, Jesus reminded them He "was dead, and is alive" (2:8).  Resurrection is true for all believers (called "overcomers"), who, as Christ promised, will "not be hurt of the second death"! 

Be sure to hear the end of Christ's words to Smyrna is Lesson 13.

 

 

Revelation Lesson 11: The Church at Ephesus - Part II {How to regain your first love}

The members of the original church at Ephesus lived in a very perverse, immoral, and dark city at a time when Emperor Domitian reigned.  He was the first Roman emperor to seriously persecute Christians.  Yet, even under heavy persecution and opposition, the Lord Jesus was able to commend the Ephesian believers for their strong doctrinal stand and their determination to not "faint" in their well doing for Him.

In this lesson, we conclude looking at Christ's words to this first of seven Asia Minor churches (which prophetically pictured Church history, as well as individual churches throughout Church history).  We look at His words of accusation, "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Revelation 2:4)!  The early Apostolic church went "off track," not in doctrine, but in her personal love-relationship with Christ!

When love for Christ "cools off," so does love for the brethren.  An atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust in the Church body is not good; it does not develop brotherly love.  This letter from the Lord is one we all need to use for serious self-examination.  It is so easy to fall into the trap of serving Him for a number of wrong reasons, when we should be serving Him from deep love for what He means to us personally.

Revelation Lesson 10: The Church at Ephesus - Part I

As in each discussion of the seven churches, we take a look at the setting: the original city in which each church existed.  Ephesus was both the largest and the capital city of the Roman province of Asia Minor.  It housed a massive, ornate Temple dedicated to the Roman "goddess" of fertility, Diana (called Artemis by the Greeks).  It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  The church was established in the heart of idolatry.  Interestingly, the Apostle Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos, and Timothy were all involved with the church of Ephesus, which represents the Apostolic Stage of Church history.  Ephesus means "desirable," and we discuss why the name was very appropriate. 

The glorified Christ had some wonderful words of commendation to this church, particularly about their caution to prevent false teachers and heresy from creeping into their assembly.  He especially commended their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans.  Unfortunately, the damaging doctrine of that group took root later (during the church history stage represented by Pergamos) and the result has been an unbiblical division between "clergy" and "laity" found in much of Christendom.  

 

Revelation Lesson 9: Seven Churches Introduced - Part II

As we continue our look at the resurrected Christ's seven-church letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we discuss how their order coincides with Scripture's revelation about a progressive increase in apostacy, how they have a remarkable comparison with the seven inter-advent parables of Matthew 13 (the eighth parable in that chapter does not deal with the specific nature and characteristics of the period of time between Christ's two comings).  We also talk about how the churches are clustered by the first three and the last four, which again parallels what took place in actual Church history (you have to listen to understand).

The seven literal churches of First Century Asia Minor are also representative of individual types of Christians, which makes them very practical for self-examination.  Incredibly, they represent the complete (i.e. the number "seven") Body of Christ and also the individual members of the Body of Christ.  

We also get into a discussion about the purpose of the Church.  Is it to reach the entire world with the Gospel so Christ can then return?  If so, does this mean the Church is a failure, since evil men are waxing worse and worse, and Christianity is not taking over the world?  

Revelation Lesson 8: Seven Churches Introduced - Part I

You are in for a real treat as you go with us through a deep study of the resurrected Christ's personal "letters" to seven First Century churches located in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey)!  There is so much more revealed in these church-letters than you can imagine!  They were, first of all, real churches with real strengths and weaknesses addressed by Christ.  They also represented the various types of local churches that would exist throughout the Church Age, likewise with their strengths and weaknesses.

Beyond that, however, the seven churches in the sequence of the Lord's address to them, correspond amazingly with the past 2,000 years of Church history!  If you have never been exposed to the prophetic nature of the seven Revelation church letters, you are in for a powerful awakening!

Revelation Lesson 7: Banishment to Blessing - Part II

Continuation of Part I, "Banishment to Blessing".

Revelation Lesson 6: Banishment to Blessing - Part I

In this lesson, we learn about the Apostle John's banishment to the Isle of Patmos; we discuss the cruelty of the Roman Empire against Christians during the Emperors Nero and Domitian.  We learn what John's banishment entailed, possibly even forced labor in underground mines.  We also learn how that banishment was turned into a blessing when the aged Apostle received from the Lord the most extensive revelation of future events to be given to a New Testament writer.

The powerful first words John heard from the resurrected Christ were His claim of a title used three times in the Book of Israel for YHWH, "I AM Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last"!  Thus, the first words from Jesus after His Ascension were yet another claim to Deity!  John was then given instructions to write down what he would see and hear and send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor.

The only description of Christ found in Scripture is given to us by the Apostle John in the first chapter of Revelation.  We will look in detail at that description in this lesson.  

 

Revelation Lesson 5: Behold, He Cometh!

There is a very easy outline for the Book of Revelation; it is found in Revelation 1:19.  It neatly divides the 22 chapters of the book into three sections.  People who think Revelation is difficult to figure out are wrong!  It is actually one of the easiest books to outline and follow sequentially!

Besides the key verse (1:19), Revelation has a key phrase, "Behold, He cometh" (1:7a).  The Subject-Theme of the book is the Lord Jesus; specifically, His Return in full, unveiled glory, when every eye shall behold Him!  Next to the subject of faith, there is no subject from Genesis to Revelation mentioned more than His Second Coming!  For every one time the First Coming is mentioned, the Second Coming is mentioned 8 times!  Thus, it behooves us to learn all we can about Christ's Return (which will be in two stages: the private Rapture and the public Revelation - His First Coming was also in two stages: private and public).  

Revelation Lesson 4: Prologue to the Great Book of Revelation!

The first five verses of the Book of Revelation (prologue) contain a number of important details.  They tells us of Who is the Subject (Source) of the book, the scribe of the book, and about the specialness of the book and include the salutation of the book. 

If we ever are prone to question the fantastic predictions of Revelation, we need only remind ourselves of God's flawless track record.  There have been hundreds of Bible prophecies literally and meticulously fulfilled in the past, many of which (like Revelation) were long-range prophecies scheduled for fulfillment in the far distant future, making them beyond the ability of either angel or man to predict - either by guessing or analytical reasoning.  Just like all the previously fulfilled prophecies of God, those found in Revelation will likewise come to pass!  Since every person alive today will be a participant in at least some of the events described in this book, it is vital to understand them (i.e. Rapture, Tribulation, Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Millennial Kingdom, Great White Throne Judgment, New Heaven and New Earth, etc.) to rightly prepare for them - or (in some cases) to avoid them! 

Revelation Lesson 3: How to Rightly Interpret Revelation - Part II

A must-study to rightly understand how God's redemptive plan for Israel and for this world ends!  Learn why the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle John to use the apocalyptic writing style for the Book of Revelation (it had to do with Roman persecution of Christians), and what the five features of apocalyptic literature are.  Learn how the true account of the Prophet Hosea and his marriage to a harlot named Gomer actually supports the futuristic view of interpretation for the Book of Revelation (not the historicist view)!  Learn, also, about two prominent types of patterns or movements found in Revelation (the up and down movement and the back and forth movement).

Revelation Lesson 2: How to Rightly Interpret Revelation - Part I

Anyone who does not understand the Book of Revelation has only half the story of Jesus Christ given in the New Testament.  We do not see Christ in Human humiliation in Revelation; we see Him in His resplendent glory!  We see Him in His salvation glory, His judgment glory, His heavenly glory, and His Kingdom glory.  The day is soon approaching when He will return with all His glory unveiled.  The purpose for this final book of Scripture is found in Revelation 1:1a, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly  [the Greek word means `suddenly'] come to pass". 

Have you ever wanted to know the proper way to interpret eschatology (the study of end-times' events)?  Have you wanted to know the difference between the various "schools of interpretation" and why so many "church" people do not bother much with studying Revelation?  Do you know the difference between an "amillennialist," a premillennialist," and a "post-millennialist," and which one you are - and why?  You should know, you know!  Listen and learn; then properly decide, but whatever you do, don't put Revelation aside!  

Revelation Lesson 1: Introduction to the Book of Revelation

Get ready for an exciting study through the Book of Revelation!  

Of all the books for today, Revelation is the one book in particular that should be read and studied!  It gives us clearer detail about the future than any other.  Through John, the glorified Christ describes the temporary government operation (and their ultimate end) of the Satanic trinity (Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet); the horrible and deadly events of the 7-year Tribulation Period,  the Glorious Appearing of Christ at His Second Coming, and Israel's repentance.  We also learn about Church history (amazingly given prophetically through Christ's seven letters of chapters 2 and 3), as well as where we are today in that history.  Then, too, we learn about the future position of the saints (of all ages), and are given a most beautiful description of our eternal dwelling place with the One Who made it possible for us to live there with Him forever!

Genesis Lesson 84: Stephen Proves Joseph a Type of Christ

In Acts chapter 7, Stephen was making his defense against the accusations that he had blasphemed Moses, God, the Temple, and the Law.  In doing so, he was also (unknown to the High Council of Israel, at first) building his case of indictment against his accusers! The most important thing Stephen was accomplishing in his powerful sermon was presenting the Jews of the Sanhedrin with evidence for faith in Jesus! He did this by using two key figures from Israel's history: Joseph and Moses.  In this lesson, which is Stephen's jet-tour account of the life of Joseph, the Council members heard for the first time the Biblical account of Joseph used as a graphic illustration of their own evil, envious betrayal and murder of Jesus!

Genesis Lesson 83: Life of Joseph - Part V

Genesis 45:16-50:26

In this final lesson on the life of Joseph, we come to perhaps the most emotional moment in the entire Old Testament - the tearful reunion of Joseph with Benjamin, his other 10 brothers (who betrayed him), and, finally, with his father Jacob, who thought he was long dead.  It is an excellent account of a truly Christlike man's ability to forgive those who hurt him and to give testimony to God as he declared that what men meant for evil, God orchestrated for good!  This is a wonderful picture of what will one day yet-future take place at Christ's Second Coming, when finally His "brethren" (the Jews) will bow before Him, acknowledging Him as Lord and Saviour in genuine repentance.
An addition 9 ways in which Joseph's life typified Christ are included.

Genesis Lesson 82: Life of Joseph - Part IV

Genesis 43:11-45:15

The plot grows thick as Joseph, the Vizier of Egypt, deals with his brothers, who do not yet know he is their brother they betrayed and sold as a slave for 20 pieces of silver many years earlier!  He speaks Egyptian and does not let them know he understands everything they say to one another in Hebrew.  This is surely one of the most thrilling narratives of Scripture as Joseph "tests" his brothers to see if they are truly repentant and changed men from what they once were in their treatment of him.

Eleven additional ways Joseph pictured Christ are presented.

Genesis Lesson 81: Life of Joseph - Part III

Genesis 41:14-43:10

Joseph finally arrived at the time we label his "years of forgetting (forgiving) and fruitfulness"!  The butler's brain at long last remembered the godly young man in the prison who so accurately interpreted his (and the baker's) dream, and he recommended him to Pharaoh who likewise needed a dream interpreter!  In one day, Joseph was lifted from the prison to the palace, where he sat as "prime minister," second only to the king!  

In this lesson, we learn 22 more ways in which Joseph pictured Christ!  You do not want to miss this great way God proves Scripture is His Word, which is through prophetic types!  Studying typology truly brings the Bible to life, my friends.  It is not taught enough these days!

Genesis Lesson 80: Life of Joseph - Part II

Genesis 37:36-41:13

In this second part of our look at the life of the patriarch Joseph, we find another 13 ways his life prophetically portrayed the life of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  With this lesson, Joseph's years of toil and affliction come to an end as he is finally lifted from the pit of prison to the palace of Pharoah!

Genesis Lesson 79: Life of Joseph - Part I

Genesis 33:-37:45

The next four lessons, which are on the life of Joseph, come from the Caldwell Commentary study entitled "CHRIST in GENESIS".

Joseph, the last of seven prominent men in the Book of Genesis, has more space devoted to him than any of the others (Adam, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).  This is likely because almost everything in Joseph's life prophetically typified the Lord Jesus Christ in His two advents.  In this four-part study, we will discuss 82 ways in which the life of Joseph pictured-in-type the life of the Lord!

Genesis Lesson 78: Back to Bethel {Also the Death of Rachel}

Genesis 35:1-29

Jacob's family had sunk to the level of the immoral and sordid society around them; rather than lifting the Canaanites from the idolatry in which they were deeply entrenched, Jacob had permitted those false "gods" to penetrate his own camp.  Rather than being a blessing to the lost people of the land who desperately needed to see Jacob and his family as holy and pure so they would be drawn to their God, the Israelites had become a curse to those around them.  According to Jacob's own words, the "stuck up" the place (34:30) and were hated with a passion because of "The Shechem Massacre" committed by his sons.

The good news is that God had not forgotten His covenant promises; so, no matter how many times His children failed Him, He encouraged them to pick-up where they strayed and to get "back on track".  Jacob knew Bethel was God's appointed place for him, but he had delayed and detoured.  It was time for him to go "Back to Bethel"!

Genesis Lesson 77: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Genesis 33 and 34

These two chapters of "the book of beginnings" do not star Clint Eastwood; rather, the main characters of the first "act" of this narrative are Jacob and Esau, whose reconciliation after 20 years turned out to be relatively "good".  The main characters of the second "act" are Jacob's daughter Dinah and two of his sons, Simeon and Levi.  Dinah was raped by the Hivite prince of Shechem, and that was "bad," but the situation turned very "ugly" when two of Dinah's brothers took revenge upon not just the prince, but the entire population of the city of Shechem.  Jacob is definitely not seen as a good father in this entire episode.  It is a very ugly blemish on the patriarchal line of the Saviour - which again demonstrates why ALL men (women) NEED the Saviour!

Genesis Lesson 76.5: Jacob Becomes Israel

Genesis chapters 32 and 33

This lesson is from our study on "CHRIST in GENESIS".  It is the about the wrestling match between the pre-incarnate Christ and Jacob and contains some extra information from that presented in Lesson 76.

Genesis Lesson 76: A Most Significant Wrestling Match!

Genesis 32:22-32

One thing to realize as you listen to this lesson on the famous wrestling match of Jesus and Jacob is that it was the pre-incarnate Lord Who wrestled all night with Jacob to get something from him - and what He wanted was Jacob's absolute surrender!  At the end of the "match, there was something Jacob wanted, but he did not wrestle the Lord all night to get it.  It wasn't until the morning light of a new day and until his hip was dislocated and Jacob could do nothing but cling to the Lord, that he begged for a blessing and would not stop clinging until he got it!

This is not a sad picture of a loser - a pitiful failure - a weakling!  This is the picture of a spiritually strong man, for Jacob finally had been broken of his self-will.  He was finally dependent on God!  His clinging is a picture of a man of faith surrendered to God's will.

This is an important lesson for all of us, for we all wrestle with ourselves - our carnal nature with our spiritual nature!  

Genesis Lesson 75: Oh Brother! {The Long Overdo Reunion of Esau and Jacob}

Genesis 32:1-21

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city" (Proverbs 18:19)!  Genesis chapters 32 and 33 center of the meeting of Jacob and Esau (twins) after having been separated for 20 years - because Jacob deceived and lied to get the patriarchal firstborn blessing and Esau wanted to murder him. 

In this lesson, "Oh, Brother!" we primarily discuss the preparation for that meeting.  To do this, we look at five outline sections:  1. The Angelic Protection, which was a host of angels seen only by Jacob (32:11).  2.  The Advance Preliminaries (some good lessons in this on how to seek reconciliation with a "brother").  3.  The Apprehensive Preparation (Jacob divided his caravan into two division, so that at least one might slip away in escape if Esau came with swords).  4. The Appropriate Prayer, which sone of the greatest recorded prayers of Scripture.  Jacob's prayer (32:9-12) shows much growth in grace as he confessed his unworthiness!  5. The Ample Provisions (Jacob sent a very generous present for Esau).

Genesis Lesson 74: The Mizpah Peace Pact {Laban‘s School of Hardknocks}

Genesis 31:36-55

Jacob's 20-year experience in "The Laban School of Hardknocks" had come to an end.  Jacob learned many much needed lessons about reaping and sowing, about the Lord God, and about humility.  He had not learned everything, but God was ready for him to "graduate" and move on.  In this lesson, he makes his permanent break from Laban, who had angrily chased him until he overtook him in the hills of Gilead.  If not for God's intervention (in a dream to Laban), Jacob may have perished or have had everything taken from him.

In this lesson, we look at Jacob's speech of righteous indignation, addressed to his father-in-law.  He was righteously angry for having been fervently chased, falsely charged, and financially cheated.  He concluded his indictment of Laban with a testimony for God.  He acknowledged that if not for God's presence and protection, Laban would have sent him away empty.  Jacob exposed Laban's evil before all those gathered from both camps, but Laban never repented or asked forgiveness.

We also discuss the Peace Pact made between Laban and Jacob.  To serve as a reminder of this pact, Jacob established a pillar and a pile of stones, which he called "Galeed," which means "a heap of witness".  It was a witness between Laban and Jacob - or a sentry or "watchtower" of "Mizpah" to guard the boundary between the two men and ensure the terms of their peace were kept.  At the Mizpah Monument, Laban made a number of demands on Jacob, all of which were attacks of his character.

People who refer to Genesis 31:49 as "The Mizpah Blessing" really need to understand the verse IN ITS CONTEXT!!  It is NOT a blessing at all.  Also, it was spoken by a wicked-hearted man to purposely imply that his son-in-law was not to be trusted.  It was not spoke to bring them together, but to keep them apart.  It was only spoken by Laban to protect himself, not Jacob or his family.  Mizpah, to Laban, was a monument of suspicion and fear, not love and trust!

Genesis Lesson 73: Stealing Away!

Genesis 31:17-35

God had spoken to Jacob in a dream, telling him that, after 20 years of patiently submitting to his devious, selfish, and conniving father-in-law, Laban, it was time to return to the land of his father (Isaac).  Thus, with his focus back on the Lord and the land the Lord promised him and his descendants, Jacob began his return trip to Canaan.  In this lesson, "Stealing Away," we discuss "Jacob's Flight," "Laban's Pursuit," "God's Intervention," "Laban's Accusation," Jacob's Defense," and "Rachel's Deception".

This is an interesting lesson!

Genesis Lesson 72: Parting Prompting

Genesis 31:1-16

In this lesson, "Parting Prompting," we look at the two primary circumstances that prompted Jacob's decision to finally, after 20 years, separate himself from Laban and head back to his true home.  We also discuss his persuasive conversation with his two wives regarding his need to depart and their consent to depart with him and leave their father (Laban).  Fortunately, Rachel and Leah were united in their response; both women had harbored resentment toward their father for the way he essentially "sold" them to Jacob, had excluded them as virtual "strangers" from receiving any inheritance, and he had even "devoured" their dowry money on himself.  He demonstrated little care for them; too busy building up his own self-worth.  A very selfish father!

Genesis Lesson 71: Laban Out Spotted

Jacob out-smarts his devious, deceptive father-in-law, Uncle Laban!

Genesis Lesson 70: Mandrakes for the Man ("A Very Interesting Sister Swap")

A very interesting lesson and an interesting "swap" between sisters: mandrakes for the man!  Do you even know what a mandrake is and what is was believed to do?  

Genesis Lesson 69: Bigamy Burdens

This lesson demonstrates why God ordained marriage to be one man with one woman!  

Genesis Lesson 68: The Wrong Woman! {Oh NO!}

Oh me!  Can you imagine waking up in the morning after your wedding night and finding you married the wrong bride - especially after working labor free for 7 years to "earn" her?  Quite a story, but it is exactly what happened to "the deceiver" Jacob, who got a taste of his own medicine!  In his Uncle Laban, Jacob found his match!  What did he do when he found Leah, not Rachel, in his bed?  Did he take out his anger on her?  Who do you think the Lord God had as Jacob's "mate," Rachel or Leah?  Was Jacob right to take a second wife?  

Genesis Lesson 67: The Reaping Begins!

Jacob and Laban; reaping and sowing!  Oh my.

Genesis Lesson 66: New Home in Haran {Jacob Meets His ”Match”: Laban and Rebekah!}

Jacob will meet his match in Haran with his mother's brother, Laban.  He will also meet "the love of his life"!

 

Genesis Lesson 65: Pillow to Pillar {Vision Expansion and Vow Expressed}

Genesis 28:16-22

Jacob's life was a picture of the spiritual man struggling against his flesh (see Galatians 5:17).  His primary struggle was not about his love of the world, but it was about his own self-sufficiency - which, of course, boils down to a pride issue.  Time after time, Jacob took matters into his own hands without relying on God, in Whom he did believe.  

When we left Jacob in Lesson 64, he was still sleeping (on a rock pillow).  He fell asleep fearful, lonely, disgraced, exiled, and destitute, but the Lord gave him great tidings of promises and assurances by way of a marvelous dream (commonly called the dream of Jacob's Ladder).  In this lesson, we discuss the events that took place when Jacob awoke (it was a twofold awakening).  First, we discuss "Jacob's Vision of God Expanded" as he has a new awe for God and creates a new memorial for God (A PILLAR MADE FROM HIS PILLOW) and a new name for the place of his dream ("Bethel," "the House of God").  Second, we will talk about "Jacob's Vow to God Expressed" (and the two views about that vow).

Genesis Lesson 64: The Ladder Lord {Jacob’s ”Defining Moment” Dream}

Genesis 28:10-15

This is one of the major turning point in Jacob's life!  At a place Jacob named "Bethel," where he stopped to spend one of his many nights while en route to his mother's former home in Haran of Padan-aram, Jacob had his first personal encounter with the Lord.  This is the famous dream about the ladder from earth to Heaven, which Jesus later (to Nathanael) equated with Himself!  We will look at "The Darkness and the Pillow" (verse 11) and "The Dream and the Pronouncement" (verses 12 to 15).

A very exciting, informative lesson.  You will learn a lot.

Genesis Lesson 63: Jacob Leaves Home {He is Enrolled in "The School of Hard Knocks”!}

Genesis 28:1-9 

With this lesson, we embark upon a study of the life of Jacob, the third patriarch of Genesis.  The next 20 years of his life would be spent in God's "School of Faith" (in Jacob's case, it was more like "The School of Hard Knocks").  He had to leave home to save himself from Esau's rage and desire to kill him.  Jacob would never again see his beloved mother, though he did not know it at the time.  Twenty years of separation from his family would be a time of heavy and hard reaping of all he had sown, but he would return a far better man.

Genesis Lesson 62: A Divided Family - Part II {Deception leads to Dysfunction}

This is the continuation of a two-part series on the division that developed (really over years) in Isaac's family after he tried to give the covenant blessing (to carry on the Messianic line) to Esau.  Not only had Esau disqualified himself from receiving it, but the Lord had told Rebekah when the twins were in her womb that the blessing would go to the younger son (Genesis 25:23).  Isaac deliberately tried to circumvent God's will, and Rebekah and Jacob then deceived him so that actually God's will was accomplished, but not in the way He would have accomplished it!  It is never right to attempt to secure God's will in a sinful way, and deceiving your own father is definitely sinful.

Join us as we discuss the creation of a very dysfunctional family!  We will talk about "A Deceptive Conversation," "A Deceptive Coverning," "A Deceptive Cooking," "A Deceptive Kiss" - in the lesson to follow (63), we will study "A Divine Consecration".

 

Genesis Lesson 61: A Divided Family - Part I {The Domino Effect of Sin}

In this two-part study on Genesis chapter 27, we peer into the contents of a believer's home and are warned of what can happen to even the godliest of homes when one or more family members try to take matters into their own hands and do things their way rather than rely on God and do things His way! 

We will learn about the domino effect of sin!  Isaac's sin led to Rebekah's sin; Rebekah's sin led to Jacob's sin, and Jacob's sin led to Esau's sin.  It was a mess!  Yet, the terrible situation that resulted in "A Divided Family" did not develop in just one day.  It had been festering for a long time.  Parental favoritism and a lack of fatherly guidance and disciple regarding sibling rivalries had been brewing for many years.  Because these issues were not addressed by the spiritual head of the family (Isaac), and were even further aggravated by his obvious favoritism of Esau, a tragic splitting of the family occurred.  A GREAT LESSON TO STUDY TO LEARN FROM THE SAD LESSONS OF OTHERS!  

Genesis Lesson 60: The Testing of Isaac - Part II

Genesis 26:19-35

In the one chapter in Genesis that focuses of Isaac as the main character, we find him going through a series of testings, all intended by the Lord to refine him spiritually.  In Lesson 59, we looked at the first half of this two-part study on "The Testings of Isaac" (his famine, falsehood, and fruitfulness tests). 

With this study, we will look at four more tests presented to Isaac, son of Abraham.  They are "The Fighting Test" (verses 19-22), "The Fear Test" (verses 23-25), "The Forgiveness Test" (verses 26-32), and "The Fatherhood Test".  We learn a lot about Isaac in this two-part study!

Genesis Lesson 59: The Testing of Isaac - Part I {One Chapter in Bible Dedicated Exclusively to Isaac}

Genesis 26:1-18 

The life of Isaac is always connected, in one aspect or another, to the life of someone else, such as his dynamic father Abraham, his elder brother Ishmael, his strong-willed wife Rebekah, or his high profile son Jacob.  There is only one chapter in Genesis in which Isaac is the central figure, and that is chapter 26.  After coming down from Mount Moriah, where his life reached its spiritual climax, Isaac (like all of us) continued to face more trials and testings, all intended to refine him.  

In this lesson and the one to follow (#60), we will look at "The Testing of Isaac".  His first recorded test after his father's death was "the famine test".  Like his father before him, he was headed down to Egypt to escape, but the Lord stopped him and spoke directly to Isaac for the very first time!  His next test, also like his father, was "the falsehood test".  Unfortunately, Isaac repeated his father's sin, lying that Rebekah was his sister!  The next was his "fruitfulness test," and we are happy to report he did pass that one!

Genesis Lesson 58: Beans for the Birthright {The Importance of Choosing Right!}

Genesis 25:29-34 

This is about a swap between twin brothers; one in which  Esau, the elder twin, foolishly chose to trade the temporary and perishing (a bowl of "beans") for the eternal and lasting (the Messianic birthright).  Jacob's method of obtaining his brother's firstborn birthright may not have been good (he struggled his whole life with doing things "his way" instead of waiting on God), but what he desired was good (like Mary, Martha's sister, he chose that good part).  Jacob desired that which is eternal; his focus was on spiritual things.  Jacob wanted to be the spiritual head of the next generation of God's covenant line.  He wanted to carry on the line of the promised family that would ultimately lead to the Savoiur. A super-great lesson filled with practical application!

Genesis Lesson 57: Twin Troubles that Continue Today! {Esau and Jacob}

Genesis 25:19-28 

In this lesson, we find that as God took care of gaining a wife for Isaac, so  He took care of giving him offspring (even though Rebekah was barren).  The Lord would be faithful to His Messianic-lineage promise, even though Isaac and Rebekah were married 20 years before He finally opened her womb.  THEN the real troubles began!  "Twin Troubles" started in the womb and continue to this day through the descendant of Esau and Jacob!  Oh me.

Genesis Lesson 56: The Pilgrimage Ended {The Importance of Finishing Well}

Genesis 25:1-18

With Genesis chapter 25, we come to the last chapter of the life of the great patriarch of the faith, Abraham.  For more than a century, he had been on a pilgrimage of faith with the Lord God in the Promised Land of Canaan.  It was wonderful to learn how Abram (his original name) stepped out of Ur of the Chaldees to being his spiritual journey with God, but it is even more impressive to find that, more than a century later, he was still going strong for and with the Lord!  It is one thing to begin well with God, but it is even a better thing to finish well.  

In this lesson, "The Pilgrimage Ended," we discuss the deaths of both Abraham (25:1-11) and Ishmael (25:12-18).

Genesis Lesson 55: Coming of Isaac’s Bride {An Historic-Prophetic Love Story}

"I will go" were the three most significant words Rebekah ever spoke!  They formed the prompt and definitive answer to the question posed by Abraham's servant regarding her willingness to become the bride of his master's son (Isaac).  Rebekah had come to a quick and firm conviction that the call of God on her life was to be Isaac's wife.  She never met Isaac, but she committed herself to him based on the words about him from his father's servant (Eliezer).

The beautiful love story of Isaac and Rebekah goes much deeper than the surface level of the account.  It presents us with a marvelous picture - in many ways - of the great marriage arranged in Heaven by God the Father, Who sent His faithful Servant, the Holy Spirit, to call out a Bride (the Church) for His only begotten, beloved Son, the Lord Jesus.