Grin and Bear It, Episode 1

EPISODE 1 of 4: It’s Hitting The Fan

This week (February 16) on Shabbat Night Live, one of Michael Rood’s favorite sayings is, “When the brimstone hits the fan!” And these days, that scenario feels like it’s getting closer every day. However, that doesn’t mean we need to live in fear.

Bear Independent (aka TJ Morris) prepares us for what can happen and what to do when it does. 

Watch the episode — included on this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 15:23: What is the name of the YouTube channel TJ Morris started based on preparedness?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 15:41: What is the name of the company that TJ Morris founded and is the CEO of?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 15:44: What is the slogan of Refuge Medical and what does it mean?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 16:00: How many soap shops does Refuge Medical have in the USA?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 16:22: What are the names of some of the companies that provide components for the first aid kits?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 16:37: How did TJ Morris get the idea to prototype a first aid kit?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 16:52: What are the qualifications of the two buddies to whom TJ Morris sent the prototypes?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 17:16: How did TJ Morris gauge the interest of his Patreon community in the first aid kit?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 17:42: What is the name of the first aid kit that TJ Morris produced and sold?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE) 20:00: What is the name of the ministry that rescues and rehabilitates juvenile human trafficking survivors?

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 6

FINAL EPISODE: Little By Little

This week (February 9) on Shabbat Night Live, YeHoVaH prepared the Israelites for the Promised Land by removing their enemies little by little — it seems counterintuitive, but there was a reason behind it.

In this final episode, Jake Hilton brings together the spirit and truth of the Word to reveal the reasons why YeHoVaH works in our lives, little by little. 

Watch the episode — included on this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 14:55) What is the significance of the Torah according to David in Psalm 19 verses 7 through 11?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 17:32) What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth, and how can we apply this concept in our daily lives?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 20:03) What does it mean to love YeHoVaH with all our heart, soul, and everything we have, according to the Shema in Deuteronomy 6?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 33:31) What was the significant realization and change in belief that Jake Hilton experienced in 2018?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 39:14) What does the process of studying the Torah and following the footsteps of Yeshua look like?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 40:19) Why is walking in the path of the Torah emphasized as important in the context of sin and righteousness?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 44:53) What is the final chapter and verse of the Bible that says that those who do the commandments of YeHoVaH will have the right to the tree of life and enter the city?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 46:30) What is the how-to manual for Christianity?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 52:08) What is the significance of the parable of the pearl and how does it relate to the spirit and truth of YeHoVaH’s word?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 54:27) What is the name of the poem that Jake Hilton wrote as a tribute to YeHoVaH?

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 5

EPISODE 5 of 6: The Plagues Prophecy

This week (February 2) on Shabbat Night Live, every Passover we recall the 10 plagues of Egypt, but is there something more significant to understand than just the words on the page?

Jake Hilton explains how the events that unfolded during the plagues of Egypt reveal YeHoVaH’s redemption plan outlined in the Book of Revelation.

Watch the episode — included in this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 14:53) What does Scott Laird recommend reading first in order to understand Revelation?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 17:03) What are the correlations between the book of Exodus and the book of Revelation, and how do they help in understanding the concept of revelation?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 18:27) What is the significance of the pattern of warnings and no warnings in the plagues brought upon Egypt by Yehovah, and how does it relate to the idea of challenging the authority of the pagan gods?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 21:26) What was the progression of the plagues in Egypt, and how did they transition from one level to another?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 27:25) What is the significance of the progression of the plagues from water to land to air to space, and then to the spiritual realm in the context of the Exodus story?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 30:50) What do you think is the significance of the distinction made by Yehovah between His people and the Egyptians during the plagues in the book of Exodus?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 32:46) What is the significance of the first three plagues affecting both the Israelites and the Egyptians, and how does it relate to the message of hope for the future?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 41:18) What is the significance of the great tribulation period in the book of Revelation, and how does it relate to the teachings of Yeshua in the Torah and the New Testament?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 44:51) What are the promises of God that give us hope, security, and a great reward, even in the midst of intense and brutal tribulation?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 49:00) What are the parallels between the plagues of God’s wrath in Revelation and the plagues poured out on Egypt?

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 4

EPISODE 4 of 6: The 3 Tamars Prophecy

This week (January 26) on Shabbat Night Live, maybe you know one story in the Bible about a woman named Tamar; maybe you know two stories. But three? What is YeHoVaH trying to tell us within the stories of these three different women with the same name?

Jake Hilton shares some insight you’ve likely never heard before! 
Watch the episode — included in this blog post.
While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 17:19) What is the Hebrew word for the ornate robe given to Joseph by his father Jacob in the book of Genesis?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 18:15) What prophetic imagery does Yehovah use to give Joseph visions of future events?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 25:11) What is the story in Genesis chapter 38 primarily about?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 25:27) What are the consequences of Amnon’s actions towards his sister Tamar in the story from Second Samuel chapter 13?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 32:16) The 1st Tamar and the 2nd Tamar are mentioned in which chapters of the Bible?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 36:42) What are the parallels between Tamar one and Tamar two, and how do they reflect the spiritual and literal aspects of Israel’s actions?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 38:17) What spiritual lessons can be drawn from the parallel between the actions and consequences of the prostitute in the scripture passages mentioned?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 44:26) What symbolic significance do the descriptions of Yeshua in the book of Revelation hold concerning the Hebrew word pas-sim and the image of the royal robe?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 50:06) What is the significance of the white robes and palm branches in the context of the 144,000 mentioned in the revelation?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 52:58) What is the significance of the imagery of the ornate robe, the name Tamar, and the spiritual prophetic image of the bride to the bridegroom in the context of the biblical passages mentioned?

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 3

EPISODE 3 of 6: The Genesis Prophecies

This week (January 19) on Shabbat Night Live, what does it mean to say that YeHoVaH has established the end from the beginning?

Through the definitions of Paleo Hebrew letters, Jake Hilton demonstrates that, with just the first word of Genesis, YeHoVaH reveals the entire plan of salvation, from beginning to end. 
Watch the episode — included in this blog post.
While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 15:51) What is the significance of the passage from Isaiah 46 concerning the Hebrew word “Bereshit” and the creation prophecy in Genesis 1:1?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 20:54) What is the significance of the specific words and letters found in the word “Bereshit” and how do they relate to the concept of creation and the roles of Yehovah and Yeshua?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 24:03) How does the Hebrew letter “Tav”, representing truth, life or death, and a covenant, connect to the message of Yehovah declaring the end from the beginning?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 28:04) What is the significance of the creation prophecy and how does it demonstrate the glory of Yehovah and his perfect foreknowledge?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 29:32) What is the significance of the parallels between the creation days in the Bible and the thousand-year periods in human history?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 41:05) What is the significance of the Eighth Day, or Shemini Atzeret, concerning the creation prophecy and the Feast of Tabernacles?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 41:21) What does Jake Hilton believe will happen after the 1000 years of Sabbath rest, and how does this tie into the overall history of the world as described in the book of Revelation?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 45:46) What is the significance of the names of the patriarchs in the genealogy prophecy, and how do they reveal a prophetic message?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 49:08) What examples from the Bible demonstrate instances where individuals were specifically told what to name their children, and what significance do these names hold?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 53:56) How does learning even a little bit of Hebrew language enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Bible?
Hebrew,Bible,Textl,-,Jewish,Related,Item

The history of the Apocryphal Books

One of the oldest books found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran is the Book of Enoch.

The Bibles we have today include a compendium of books that were written at a particular period in history. The word canon, whose origin is generally traced to the Greek κανών which is a measuring rod, actually comes from the even more ancient Hebrew קנה (cané) which is a reed, and, precisely, was used for measuring. So we can deduce that the biblical canon refers to the group of books that have authority in terms of religious doctrine, whether in Christianity, Judaism, or Catholicism, whose respective canons differ from one another.

Needless to say, such authority in doctrinal matters was decided by the religious leaders of the time, so it is logical to attribute a certain subjectivity to such selection. Although most Christians consider the 66 books of their canon as the only “inspired” or “worthy of being taken as doctrinal”, the reality is that depending on the religious culture in which one has been raised, this will change. Just imagine that until before Martin Luther, works such as the books of Tobit or Judith would have been common knowledge.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – OCTOBER 13, 2017: One of the Dead Sea Scrolls, on display at the Book Museum. Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Israel

How old are these books?

The biblical period covered by the apocryphal books is mostly limited to the Second Temple period, between the last prophets, concluding with Malachi, and the New Testament literature. This spans from around 300 BCE to 50 or 100 CE. There are later works from this time that were used by the so-called Church Fathers, but these would be included in another category as they relate exclusively to the New Testament and were written even after the closure of the Jewish canon in the 1st century.

One of the oldest books found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran is the Book of Enoch. This book, not included in the Jewish or Catholic canon, appears in more than ten different manuscripts in Qumran, written in what is believed to be the original Aramaic. Communities of believers in Syria and Ethiopia also preserved this book in their own languages (in Syria, Aramaic was spoken but had a different type of script, in contrast to the Essenes, who wrote Aramaic with the Hebrew letters we know today, which are originally Aramaic).

Other well-known works found in Qumran include the Book of Maccabees, Ben Sira, and Tobit.

Who decided which books entered the canon?

In the case of Judaism in Israel, a rabbinic assembly was formed, gathering in the city of Yavne around the year 100 CE. Although most writings in the Torah and the prophets were widely accepted, there was some controversy surrounding different books among the writings, such as the Song of Solomon and Daniel, the latter being written in Aramaic. One of the main reasons why many apocryphal books did not enter the Jewish canon was precisely because there were no Hebrew copies.

Other Jewish communities did not necessarily accept the authority of the rabbinic leadership in Israel and continued to use books they considered worthy of study. This is the case with the Ethiopian community of Beta Israel, which included, among others, the aforementioned books, the Book of Jubilees, the Testament of Abraham, the Testament of Isaac, and the Testament of Jacob.

The Catholic Church defined its canon at the Council of Rome in the fourth century, commissioning Jerome to translate the list of books into Latin. In the Eastern Church in Syria, different lists were maintained, and a unanimous decision regarding the canon was never reached. Some “extra” epistles found there include the Prayer of Manasseh and Psalm 151, while, for example, the Book of Lamentations is excluded.

During the Protestant Reformation, Luther decided to differentiate from the Catholic canon and moved seven books (Tobit, Judith, 1–2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch), placing them in the Apocrypha section (“books not considered on par with the Holy Scriptures but worthy of being read and studied”). Despite moving them, at least he included and promoted their study. Unfortunately, this distinction paved the way for their eventual exclusion altogether.

Is it relevant to study these books?

If we limit ourselves to what Martin Luther said, then yes. Beyond Luther, it is worth delving into the historical context of each work. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls shed new light, confirming that Jewish communities of this time, even in the Land of Israel, considered many of these works worthy of study. In each of these books, we can appreciate not only ethical, moral, or spiritual messages but also the cultural environment of the Jewish people in a period of history that is unfortunately absent from our current Bibles.

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 2

EPISODE 2 of 6: The Blessed Second Son

This week (January 12) on Shabbat Night Live, throughout scripture there are curious examples of the first being last, and the last being first.

Jake Hilton lays the groundwork for a fascinating study of a pattern that reveals blessings coming in ways we don’t expect — in particular, from those who come second, not first. 

Watch the episode — included in this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 17:26) What is the name of the pattern that YeHoVaH showed to Jake Hilton as he was studying the Torah?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 21:04) What is the name of the first son of Jacob and Rachel, who received the birthright and blessing from his father?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 22:39) How did Jacob bless Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 23:37) What is the name of the sister of Aaron and Moses who was the oldest child in their family?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 24:53) What is the name of the Hebrew word that means “beloved” and is also the name of the second son of Jesse who became the king of Israel?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 25:32) What is the name of the second son of David and Bathsheba who became the wisest king of Israel and built the temple?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 31:07) What is the significance of the second set of tablets that YeHoVaH gave to Moses after he broke the first set?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 32:42) How does the second generation of Israelites who inherited the land represent the image of the blessed one?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 33:12) What is the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the spirit, according to Yeshua?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 33:39) How does the fire that descended on the disciples on the Feast of Shavuot relate to the fire that came down on Mount Sinai?

The Gold and Honey of The Torah, Ep 1

EPISODE 1 of 6: The Letter and The Spirit

This week (January 5) on Shabbat Night Live, is the Bible literal or figurative? The answer is always: BOTH!

Jake Hilton takes us on a deep dive into the poetic beauty of the Scriptures to discover present realities and future promises embedded in the timeless love letter of YeHoVaH’s word to his people.

Watch the episode — included in this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 15:28) How can one effectively ‘dive deep’ into the word of God to discover the pearls of wisdom that lie beneath the surface-level understanding of the scriptures?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 18:00) How does Psalm 19 describe the Torah of Yehovah, and what are the benefits of adhering to its teachings according to David?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 23:10) In the context of John 6, what is the true meaning behind the phrases ‘eating the flesh’ and ‘drinking the blood’ of Messiah, and what is the significance of understanding the spirit of the word as opposed to its literal interpretation?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 27:10) Considering the repeated biblical references to gold and honey as symbols of goodness and abundance, what deeper significance do these elements hold in the context of divine providence and the blessings of the land?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 32:41) How does the behavior and intelligence of honeybees, as observed in their communication dances, serve as an argument for the existence of a creator?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 37:31) How does honey, which can remain preserved for thousands of years, compare to the perishability of man-made products?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 41:38) In the biblical narrative, how does the use of the hornet symbolize divine intervention in driving out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites, and what is the significance of this method according to the speakers in the text?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 46:27) How does the concept of honey and the honey bee in the land described in Deuteronomy chapter 8 relate to the spiritual message conveyed in Hebrews chapter 11 regarding the heavenly country?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 51:47) How does the imagery of milk, honey, and streets of gold in the New Jerusalem symbolize the spiritual rewards described in the scriptures, and what actions are required to inherit such rewards according to the teachings of Yehovah and Yeshua?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 54:05) What is the significance of the contrast between the flourishing green lands in modern-day Israel and the barren, burning desert surrounding it?

The Parable of The Talents, Ep 3

EPISODE 3: What is Wealth?

This week (December 22) on Shabbat Night Live, we all know it doesn’t take money to be happy. But money is not what we were always taught that it was. And it turns out, we shouldn’t save it the way we were always taught, either. So what is true wealth, and is money even involved?

Josh Tolley presents some thought-provoking ways to re-think what it means to be wealthy.

Watch the episode — included in this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 15:50) What is the one trick that the Devil has?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 17:10) How does Josh Tolley compare the current situation of the pro-life movement to a football game?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 17:39) What are some examples of states passing bills that favor the local economy over the global economy?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 18:13) What is the name of the movie that made over 100 million dollars?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 19:27) What is the main argument that Josh Tolley makes against investing in gold and silver?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 19:51) How does the price of gold depend on the central banks that set the price of money?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 20:28) What are the risks of buying gold certificates or keeping gold coins in the closet?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 21:03) Why is it hard to use silver coins as a medium of exchange in a crisis?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 24:12) How did Warren Buffett use Berkshire Hathaway to create wealth from other people’s money?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE: 25:22) What are some examples of financial products that Wall Street uses to extract wealth from the middle class?

Hanukkah Double Header

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

This week (December 15) on Shabbat Night Live, the Feasts of the LORD are the key to understanding the Gospel – and so is the often-dismissed feast of Hanukkah. In fact, the events of Hanukkah began with a prophetic vision from Daniel, which has at least two fulfillments.

 

Michael Rood shares that vision along with a behind-the-scenes account of the Maccabees and the subsequent account of Yeshua’s visit to the Temple. It’s all tonight in our Hanukkah Double Header special!

Watch the episode — included in this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section, and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. What is the name of the translator who wrote the complete Jewish Bible?
  2. What is the name of the book that was removed from the original 1611 King James version of the Bible by the American and British Bible societies in 1885?
  3. What is the name of the feast that Yeshua goes up to in the gospel of John, which is also known as the Feast of Dedication?
  4. What is the name of the mountain that the Samaritans worship in, according to their tenth Torah commandment?
  5. What did Yeshua say to James and John when they wanted to call fire down from heaven to consume the Samaritans who rejected them?
  6. What is the name of the feast that Yeshua celebrated by sending out 70 disciples to the villages of Israel, and what did it symbolize?
  7. What was the name of the great day of the feast when Yeshua prophesied about the latter rain outpouring, and what does it mean in Hebrew?
  8. What law did Yeshua break by healing a man who was lame for 38 years on the Sabbath, and who invented that law?
  9. What did Yeshua tell his disciples to rejoice in, rather than the spirits being subject to them?
  10. How did Yeshua describe what he saw when his disciples interfered with Satan’s subjects?
  11. What are the two feasts of the Jews that are related to the book of Daniel?
  12. Who said to Daniel that the prophecies he received were sealed up until the last days?
  13. What was the name of the pagan festival that coincided with the 25th day of the ninth month, when the Seleucids sacrificed a pig on the altar of Zeus and killed the Jewish women and children?
  14. What is the term that means “the hammer” in Hebrew and was used as an epithet for Judah, the son of Matthias?
  15. What was the name of the Greek god after whom the Seleucid general Apollonius was named?
  16. How did Judah obtain the sword of Apollonius, and what did he do with it?
  17. What did Judah say to his followers when they faced a much larger army of Seron and his allies?
  18. What was the religious motivation of Judah and his men to resist the Seleucid policies and cults?
  19. How many of Seron’s soldiers did Judah and his men kill at the battle of Beth-horon?
  20. How did Judah’s fame spread among the nations after his victories?

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