Podcasts about urim

──────────────────────────────────────── [00:05:00] Hegseth Quotes Psalm 144 as God's Blessing for War — Knight: David Prayed Before Every Battle and Never Assumed God Was With Him David used the Urim and Thummim to ask God's will before war. Hegseth has no such instrument and no declaration of war from God or Congress. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:15:00] Dispensationalism's Core Error: Treating the Shadow as Greater Than the Reality It Points To Knight: Hebrews was written to people returning to the shadow of Judaism rather than the substance in Christ — Hegseth and Huckabee are the Judaizers of Galatians, replacing Christ with a political state. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:28:00] Nick Kupper: The COVID Shot Was Never Legally Approved — Pfizer Didn't Manufacture an Approved Version Until January 2022 DOD admitted in Kupper's lawsuit that nothing was fully approved until June 2022 — by which time the Air Force had already kicked people out for the unlawfully mandated product. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:38:00] Kupper's Base Immunologist Admitted He Had More Antibodies Than the Vaccinated — His Religious Accommodation Was Denied Anyway Kupper had natural immunity; his immunologist confirmed he had more antibodies than someone with both shots. Every single religious accommodation filed was denied. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:50:00] Kupper Was Given Separation Papers Three Weeks Before His 19-Year Mark — One Year Short of a Full Retirement A class-wide court injunction from attorney Aaron Siri covered Kupper the day after his separation papers arrived — but thousands of others had no such protection. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:02:00] $6 Billion Was Already Appropriated to These Service Members — the Military Used It for Something Else When It Kicked Them Out Kupper: every dollar was authorized in the NDAA but never spent on the personnel allocated — it could be repaid to the 8,000 dismissed without any new appropriation. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:12:00] A Technical Sergeant With Both Shots Died of Heart Failure in His Early 30s — the Air Force Stopped Updating Its COVID Death Tracker That Day The Air Force had listed 16 COVID deaths noting none were vaccinated — the day this man died with both shots on record, they stopped updating the tracker. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:22:00] 'Duty to Disobey' Documentary Releases in AMC Theaters June 30 — dutytodisobeyfilm.com Children's Health Defense produced this with service members from multiple branches; Ron Johnson appears alongside those kicked out for refusing the unlawful emergency use mandate. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:38:00] Dr. Michael Guillén: 95% of the Universe Is Invisible — Modern Cosmology Has Been in Crisis Since Hubble's Discovery in 1929 Dark matter and dark energy are completely unknown. The steady-state model was destroyed by Hubble's discovery that the universe is expanding — the crisis has deepened since. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:55:00] Guillén: From Atheist to Christian Through Science — the Universe Had to Hit the Jackpot a Million Times at Every Level for Us to Exist The anthropic principle: from the quantum level to the cosmic web, everything was calibrated precisely for life — either infinite accidents or one designer. ──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code “KNIGHT” For high quality made in America products go to HomeSteadProducts.shop and use promo code “Knight” for 10% off your purchases Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

──────────────────────────────────────── [00:05:00] Hegseth Quotes Psalm 144 as God's Blessing for War — Knight: David Prayed Before Every Battle and Never Assumed God Was With Him David used the Urim and Thummim to ask God's will before war. Hegseth has no such instrument and no declaration of war from God or Congress. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:15:00] Dispensationalism's Core Error: Treating the Shadow as Greater Than the Reality It Points To Knight: Hebrews was written to people returning to the shadow of Judaism rather than the substance in Christ — Hegseth and Huckabee are the Judaizers of Galatians, replacing Christ with a political state. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:28:00] Nick Kupper: The COVID Shot Was Never Legally Approved — Pfizer Didn't Manufacture an Approved Version Until January 2022 DOD admitted in Kupper's lawsuit that nothing was fully approved until June 2022 — by which time the Air Force had already kicked people out for the unlawfully mandated product. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:38:00] Kupper's Base Immunologist Admitted He Had More Antibodies Than the Vaccinated — His Religious Accommodation Was Denied Anyway Kupper had natural immunity; his immunologist confirmed he had more antibodies than someone with both shots. Every single religious accommodation filed was denied. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:50:00] Kupper Was Given Separation Papers Three Weeks Before His 19-Year Mark — One Year Short of a Full Retirement A class-wide court injunction from attorney Aaron Siri covered Kupper the day after his separation papers arrived — but thousands of others had no such protection. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:02:00] $6 Billion Was Already Appropriated to These Service Members — the Military Used It for Something Else When It Kicked Them Out Kupper: every dollar was authorized in the NDAA but never spent on the personnel allocated — it could be repaid to the 8,000 dismissed without any new appropriation. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:12:00] A Technical Sergeant With Both Shots Died of Heart Failure in His Early 30s — the Air Force Stopped Updating Its COVID Death Tracker That Day The Air Force had listed 16 COVID deaths noting none were vaccinated — the day this man died with both shots on record, they stopped updating the tracker. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:22:00] 'Duty to Disobey' Documentary Releases in AMC Theaters June 30 — dutytodisobeyfilm.com Children's Health Defense produced this with service members from multiple branches; Ron Johnson appears alongside those kicked out for refusing the unlawful emergency use mandate. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:38:00] Dr. Michael Guillén: 95% of the Universe Is Invisible — Modern Cosmology Has Been in Crisis Since Hubble's Discovery in 1929 Dark matter and dark energy are completely unknown. The steady-state model was destroyed by Hubble's discovery that the universe is expanding — the crisis has deepened since. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:55:00] Guillén: From Atheist to Christian Through Science — the Universe Had to Hit the Jackpot a Million Times at Every Level for Us to Exist The anthropic principle: from the quantum level to the cosmic web, everything was calibrated precisely for life — either infinite accidents or one designer. ──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code “KNIGHT” For high quality made in America products go to HomeSteadProducts.shop and use promo code “Knight” for 10% off your purchases Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.24 The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.28 The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.29 The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.30 The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.41 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Study Passage: Numbers 27:12-2312 The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, 16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” 18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel mayobey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua andmade him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the LORD directed through Moses.

Resumen — 1 Samuel 28: Deslizándose hacia la oscuridad El mensaje compara el alejamiento espiritual con una corriente en la playa: nadie planea terminar lejos, pero poco a poco se deja arrastrar hasta descubrir que está distante de Dios. Así ocurrió con Saúl. No decidió destruir su vida espiritual de un día para otro; una serie de malas decisiones lo fue llevando lentamente hacia la oscuridad. 1. Dios en silencio Cuando los filisteos se prepararon para atacar a Israel, Saúl tuvo miedo y buscó dirección de Dios usando el Urim y el Tumim. Pero Dios no respondió. El problema no era solo el silencio de Dios, sino el largo historial de Saúl ignorando y rechazando la voz de Dios. El mensaje enfatiza que, cuando alguien endurece constantemente su corazón, puede llegar un momento en que ya no escucha la voz de Dios porque pasó demasiado tiempo silenciándola. 2. Una agenda egoísta Saúl quería la ayuda de Dios, pero no el gobierno de Dios sobre su vida. No buscaba rendirse ni obedecer, sino simplemente obtener información para resolver sus problemas. El mensaje conecta esto con la oración de Jesús: “Venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad”. Muchas veces las personas buscan a Dios solo cuando tienen dificultades, pero siguen queriendo vivir bajo sus propias reglas. Saúl quería que Dios lo sirviera a él, no servir a Dios. 3. Buscando voces extrañas Como Dios estaba en silencio, Saúl decidió buscar una médium en Endor, aunque él mismo había prohibido esas prácticas. Esto muestra cómo el pecado produce contradicción: el hombre que antes perseguía la oscuridad ahora corría hacia ella. Saúl se disfrazó y fue de noche a consultar a la bruja, simbolizando lo lejos que había caído espiritualmente. El mensaje advierte que, cuando dejamos de escuchar la voz de Dios, inevitablemente escucharemos otras voces: la cultura, las emociones, las redes sociales, amistades equivocadas, falsas espiritualidades. El peligro no es que existan voces equivocadas, sino darles autoridad sobre nuestra vida. 4. La sentencia de muerte Samuel apareció por permiso de Dios y confirmó el juicio: Saúl perdería la batalla y moriría junto con sus hijos por su continua desobediencia. El mensaje aclara que este juicio no fue repentino, sino el resultado acumulado de años rechazando a Dios. Dios es paciente, pero llega un momento en que la cuenta del pecado se cobra. Luego el sermón hace un contraste poderoso entre Saúl y Jesús: Saúl tuvo una última comida antes de morir por sus propios pecados. Jesús tuvo la Última Cena antes de morir en la cruz por los pecados de otros. Saúl murió como enemigo de Dios, pero por medio de Jesús los enemigos pueden convertirse en hijos e hijas de Dios. Conclusión La historia de Saúl es una advertencia sobre el peligro de alejarnos poco a poco de Dios, endurecer el corazón y reemplazar Su voz por otras voces.

Patrick talks about the everyday challenge of living within our means, sharing personal stories of financial pressure, faith, and family resilience while fielding questions about guardian angels, church teachings, and complicated marriage situations. The conversation moves from practical choices like saying no to luxuries to the comforting reminder that God provides even when the future feels uncertain. Throw in parent worries, the struggle for children’s faith, and moments of encouragement from saints and scripture, and Patrick blends struggle, hope, and candid advice in unpredictable, real-life Catholic conversations. Audio: Is it possible to have a family on one income? This gentleman explains how to make it work: Just say no. - https://x.com/DangerousThinkg/status/2051417871805227355 (00:21) Daniel - Are we assigned only 1 guardian angel or multiple guardian angels? (07:01) Saul - I am a Catholic and am going to a Christian service. How should I behave? (10:23) Alexandra (email) – Is it okay to allow our young son to attend a bible study group with 20 to 30 non-Catholic students during a study hall (18:26) Victor - I am married through the city hall but not through church. Am I sinning by receiving Communion? (20:01) Mary - I thought during the Old Testament days that the high priest had all these little stones. I thought that the Urim and Thummim were checks and balances back then. I think we need to pray. (28:01) Cindy - My three children don't believe in God and I am afraid to talk to them about Him. Can you please help me? (32:09) Mario - I thought that in the Catena Aurea is connected to the lots that the priests used to cast to determine service. (39:49) Sue - What are your thoughts about a Protestant going up and speaking about the deceased at a Catholic funeral? (42:06) Veronica - Thank you for the encouragement about being a Phillip to a fallen away Catholic (44:31) Regina - Should I pray for my uncles who passed away? They sexually assaulted my mother. (47:43) Angel - How are the Vatican and Jesuits connected? (49:06)

Ezra 2:20-70 New International Version 20 of Gibbar9521 the men of Bethlehem12322 of Netophah5623 of Anathoth12824 of Azmaveth4225 of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth74326 of Ramah and Geba62127 of Mikmash12228 of Bethel and Ai22329 of Nebo5230 of Magbish15631 of the other Elam1,25432 of Harim32033 of Lod, Hadid and Ono72534 of Jericho34535 of Senaah3,630 36 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)97337 of Immer1,05238 of Pashhur1,24739 of Harim1,017 40 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)74 41 The musicians: the descendants of Asaph128 42 The gatekeepers of the temple: the descendants ofShallum, Ater, Talmon,Akkub, Hatita and Shobai139 43 The temple servants: the descendants ofZiha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,54 Neziah and Hatipha 55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants ofSotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,57 Shephatiah, Hattil,Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami58 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon392 59 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel: 60 The descendants ofDelaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda652 61 And from among the priests: The descendants ofHobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). 62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim. 64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys. 68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[b] of gold, 5,000 minas[c] of silver and 100 priestly garments. 70 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Understanding People by understanding yourself; Bias; "The Word"; Right Reason; Logical; Prophets - having insight; Lesson of bondage; Adam's fleeing the garden; Depending upon community; Midian communities; Day of worship?; Sunday? Daily ministration; Day of rest; Sabbath; Faith, hope and charity; Problems in Iran; Constantine's army; Legalizing Christianity; Puppet Jimmy Carter; East Timor?; Urim and Thummim; Parthia?; Charity; Maji?; Seducing mankind; The knowledge you need; State religion?; Benefit addiction; Many kinds of king; The seed of Abraham; Faith; What happened to Iran?; Social Security?; Anti-Christ; Doomed Americans; Fake Christians; Are you being manipulated?; Islam's inroads into Iran; Protests; Caliphate; Spreading Islam; God is not in the Koran; Mystery Babylon; United States a free country?; Opposition to war; Tree of Life; God's advice; Insane judges?; Urim: Light in your heart; Your divine door to revelation; Minister's responsibility; Redistribution of wealth; Man-made gospels; Commandments?; Personal sacrifice; Monotheism; Social welfare; Deportation; Living according to Moses and Christ; Perfect law of liberty; Judging presidents; Dominating others; Taking care of your parents; Administrative courts; Coming to the aid of others; Thinking differently; Why go to Church?; Q from Katwellair: Brutality of Islam? - Why does God allow abuse? - Nothing dies? - Killing children?; Fire that consumes; Dress and keep instructions; John 3:16?; The real decision; Spiritual choices - not intellectual; The spirit of Christ; Laying down your life for others; Prayers to God; Are you teachable?; Men loving darkness; Wicked, evil; The number; Exercising authority - contrary to Christ; Not wanting to see the light; God's answer for you; Pain and suffering?; Comforter = Holy Spirit; Building up spiritual body; Hating deeds of Nicolaitans; Living sacrificial lives; Tasks from God; Still small voice; We allow evil by sitting in darkness; Our connection with God can bring light; Evil wants isolation; John 3:16 - continue reading; Puppets?; Corruption by power; Celibacy?; Simplicity of the gospel; Repentance; Let the light in.

Leviticus: Instructions to the Levites; 400 years of captivity; Jealousy of Joseph; Corruption in city-states; Abraham's altars; Blessings of Melchizedek; Colonizers; Liberty?; The road to freedom; Semites?; "Seed of Abraham"; Tithes?; Warnings from the bible; Cities of blood; THE Way; "Church" in the wilderness; Fig leaves; "Bethel"; Tending sheep; Stripping off fig leaves; Lev 8:1 Speaking to Moses?; Why baskets?; Which door?; Family; Institution of The Church; Wealthy leaders; Lev 8:5 Mobile tabernacle; Golden calf; Cities of refuge; Supreme court?; No exercising authority; Commanders-in-chief; "No kings"?; Rebels; Colonial charters?; Naked?; gods of your government; "Apotheos"; Making things "great again"?; v6 baptism?; Aaron = priest; Permission to be priest; Ordering society; Police powers; Anointing the tabernacle; Pouring oil?; Tongues of fire?; Speaking in tongues?; Living by faith, not force; breastplate hey-chet-shin-nun; Electoral college?; Following Babylon/Cain/Nimrod; "Sanctify"; Freewill offerings; v13 coats? Covering kof-tav-nun-tav; girdle = abnet; sash?; Mitre?; Falling away from the spirit; Bullock's blood?; Burning with fire?; Inspiration; Reliance of Holy Spirit; Moses' system; vs FDR's; Redistributing to needy of society; taking responsibility for neighbors; "No King"ers actually want kings; Social safety net; v27 Aaron's hands?; Freewill offerings; Idols?; Sheep shearing?; Laban's statues; Genocide?; Benefit addiction; Covetousness; Network of priests; Becoming a real Christian; Garments?; Caring for needy; Unmoored imagery; Moses' real intention; Constantine?; Repentance and atonement; Jesus did his part; Distribute all that is offered; Going the ways of Christ; Faith hope and charity; Pure religion; No exercising authority; Ps 104:1; Corban of violence?; Opting out of the world's covetous systems; Urim and Thummim; Seek His kingdom and righteousness - Become a Doer Now!

Leviticus - turning points; What's wrong here?; Words?; Deception and sophistry; Gregory history; Burnout?; Accepting doctrines of men; Replacing the truth; Confusion; Learning Hebrew?; Writing; Alphabets; "Breastplate"?; chet-shin-nun; Questioning your teachers and preconceptions; Honoring parents; Caring - attending to their welfare; Why honor parents?; Monkey story; Old testament altars; Dignity, purpose and affirmation; "Wave offering"; Ex 29:24; "Aaron"; Garments?; Breeches made by the people?; Is God so shallow?; Breast of the ram?; Do you believe?; Ordering the wood; Sacrifice of the red heifer; "Heave offering"; Seed of Abraham; Faith!; "Idolatry"; Covetousness?; Freewill offerings; Creating social bonds; Moses' social security; Fire = wife/woman = caregiver of the family; Contributions for Christ; Righteous redistribution; "Sprinkling"; "wood" = "counsel"; Kickbacks? ;"One Purse"; Choosing what Christ had forbidden; Lev 8:1 Does Moses hear a voice?; Aaron and his sons; Seeking righteousness; Literally?; Tents of the congregation; Where to gather?; Washing Aaron and sons; Baptism; Urim and Thummim?; Chet-shin-nun; "Leaven"; Nakedness?; God breathed life into man; Tree of knowledge?; Sitting in darkness; Bringing light and liberty?; Presumptions; Clothing = status; Pastor?; Strange fire; Ex 29:21; Gleaning meaning; biet-gimel-dalet (garment); Steps?; Authority; Freewill offerings; Responsibility of government; Miracle of loaves and fishes; Oversight; Returning everyone to family and possessions; Making sure all have enough; Mt 20:25, Mk 10:42, Lk 22:25; "Sophistry" article - kidneys given to Levites?; "Burnt" offerings; Rights in God's system; vs man's system; Fixing corruption; Measuring a man's Christianity; "Casting bread upon the waters"; Pure Religion - unspotted by "world"; Dependence on government; Inheritance tax?; Legal title; Benefit addiction; Covetous practices; "breast" = chet-zayin-hey; Communicating with "stones"?; Enlightenment; "chezah" = see, behold, prophesy, provide; Redistributing the wave offering; Breast? Shin-dalet; DOGE?; Repentance; Recreating Christ's system; Service; Learning to be free; Going contrary to God's way; Parental responsibility; Family!; Hate of the day…; Error of Baalam = Deeds of Nicolaitans; Welfare snares; alternate system of Leviticus; Join the Living Network.

What were the Urim and Thummim—and how did God use them to communicate with Israel? In this episode, we explore the biblical texts, historical context, and thoughtful possibilities surrounding this mysterious method of divine guidance. From the high priest's breastplate to the concept of “inquiring of the Lord,” we examine what Scripture reveals—and what it doesn't. Most importantly, we contrast this with how God leads His people today through His Word and Spirit.

In his official 1838 history, Joseph Smith described discovering the golden plates inside a carefully constructed stone box in the Hill Cumorah. According to his account, the box contained the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and a breastplate.But what happened to that stone box?In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a deep dive into the historical record surrounding the stone box narrative. We compare Joseph Smith's 1838 history with earlier and later accounts, statements from witnesses like David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery, and later retellings from leaders such as Brigham Young.We explore:-What Joseph Smith said was inside the box-Whether early Saints believed there was MORE than one box-Claims about swords, the Liahona, and other Nephite artifacts-The evolution of the story over time-Whether codex-style plates create anachronistic problems-The “magic worldview” shared by early Mormon leaders-Comparisons to treasure-digging culture-Why there is no physical evidence of the stone box todayWe also examine 19th century newspaper references discussing the stone box, Whitmer's later (contradictory) interviews, and the strange disappearance of a stone structure that supposedly survived for over a thousand years.If the box was real and physically constructed with stone slabs and pillars –as described –why did it leave no trace? Why didn't believers preserve fragments the way people took pieces of the Berlin Wall? And why does the Hill Cumorah today appear completely undisturbed?This episode wrestles with a central question: Does the detail of a stone box strengthen Joseph Smith's credibility –or create new historical and epistemological problems?This is Episode 71 in our LDS Discussions series!___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

In his official 1838 history, Joseph Smith described discovering the golden plates inside a carefully constructed stone box in the Hill Cumorah. According to his account, the box contained the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and a breastplate.But what happened to that stone box?In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a deep dive into the historical record surrounding the stone box narrative. We compare Joseph Smith's 1838 history with earlier and later accounts, statements from witnesses like David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery, and later retellings from leaders such as Brigham Young.We explore:-What Joseph Smith said was inside the box-Whether early Saints believed there was MORE than one box-Claims about swords, the Liahona, and other Nephite artifacts-The evolution of the story over time-Whether codex-style plates create anachronistic problems-The “magic worldview” shared by early Mormon leaders-Comparisons to treasure-digging culture-Why there is no physical evidence of the stone box todayWe also examine 19th century newspaper references discussing the stone box, Whitmer's later (contradictory) interviews, and the strange disappearance of a stone structure that supposedly survived for over a thousand years.If the box was real and physically constructed with stone slabs and pillars –as described –why did it leave no trace? Why didn't believers preserve fragments the way people took pieces of the Berlin Wall? And why does the Hill Cumorah today appear completely undisturbed?This episode wrestles with a central question: Does the detail of a stone box strengthen Joseph Smith's credibility –or create new historical and epistemological problems?This is Episode 71 in our LDS Discussions series!Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

We discuss the absence of tabletop games in the Bible (eeeek!) – and the presence of randomization and game-like elements.You can help us by liking, subscribing, and supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/playsavestheworldWe talk about the Biblical, game-like practices of casting lots, the significance of Urim and Thummim, and the game-like nature of the parable of the talents.There is a playfulness in the Bible, and the idea of control and randomization in religious and secular contexts. We note the parallels between games, war strategy, and life, as well as the gamification of life and the playfulness in ritualized meals. We also touch on the themes of order from chaos, playing a different game, and the game of being born again.Chapters00:00 Game-Like Elements in the Bible26:12 Gamification of Life32:10 Children and Playful Rule-Breaking40:20 Order from Chaos

In the Book of Exodus, the priest carries twelve stones over his heart, illumined by the Urim and Tumim. Tetzaveh means command, and also connection. Begin by returning to yourself. One slow inhale. One full exhale. Feel your own steady flame. Now, bring one person to mind. As you inhale, receive them. As you exhale, send light. Pause. Return to your own breath. Again—another name. Inhale, you make space for them. Exhale, you shine. Pause. Come home to yourself. Move this way through all twelve. Each one held for a single long breath in, a single long breath out. No fixing. No story. Only light passing there and back again. When the twelfth has faded, rest. Inhale. Exhale. Feel your own heart luminous and whole.

This week's Torah portion of Tetzaveh (Ex.27:20-30:10) mysteriously omits the name of Moshe, and though his presence is hidden, he is very much on the scene. But what's that all about? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore this theme of hiddenness -- a major lesson of the Purim story, both past and present. Our hosts engage in a fascinating discussion of the Breastplate of the High Priest and its mysterious, oracle-like function known as the 'Urim V'Thummim', and begin to prepare for the upcoming days of Purim. The Fast of Esther will be observed on Monday, March 2 2026. Purim in most of the world will be observed on Tuesday March 3, and in Jerusalem, Shushan Purim will be observed on Wednesday March 4. Purim Sameach, Blessings for a joyous Purim to all! _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: infojerusalemlights@gmail.com or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

We come to the end of chapter 28 in Exodus but there's a few more things that need to be covered in this chapter.  One is we need to study the Ureem and Thummeem in more detail.  The reason being is there is teaching from the orthodox rabbis that turns the Ureem and Thummeem into objects that are more related to science fiction that reality.  So what did those rabbis teach?  What was it based upon?  Once we see that there teaching is their view, their opinion, not based upon fact, we see their views are more fantasy than something that we'd say is real.  A popular rabbinc view is that the Ureem and Thummeem were related to the stones on the breast piece of the High priest.  It seems possible that this comes from the rabbinic view that the Ureem for instance are lights since they said Ureem is nothing more than the plural for the Hebrew word for light.  See the pictures below. These are summaries of the two Hebrew words.  The top picture is for the word Ureem and the one below is for the Hebrew word Or.  The word Ureeem is masculine and the Hebrew word Or, meaning light, is feminine!  This is just one problem with saying that Ureem is the Hebrew word for lights or the plural of Or.  The second issue is the spelling.  The top picture sows that Ureem's first two letters are אוּ and notice the location of the "dot" or what is known as a dagesh - וּ.  The picture below shows the first two letters of the Hebrew word Or and notice the position of the dagesh אוֹ.  The dagesh is in a different location as one can see - וֹ.  The difference is the first gives the sound UR and the second gives the sound OR.  The spelling is different and the pronunciation is different.  Ureem is NOT the plural of the Hebrew word OR meaning light.  The letters are the same in both words but the dagesh, the "dot" used for specific vowel sounds is different.  It seems that the rabbis dismissed these galring differences, concluded that Ureeem was the plural of Or, and then seemed to say the stones were used as "lights" on the breastpiece.  Understanding the Hebrew shows that is likely fantasy and can not be the truth. The Ureem and Thummeem were real.  They were put in the pocket of the linen breast piece of the High Priest.  The wording implies they were physical objects.  The Torah and the words given to Moses to write down about the Ureem and Thummeem seem to contradict what the orthodox rabbis came up with.  It is part of their midrasheem (what they got from study); it is views and ideas made up by these rabbis to try and explain something that is enigmatic, something hidden, something difficult to understand and know.  I urge you to listen to the podcast I did on Rabbinic Midrasheem or the man made views and ideas the rabbis came up with that in many cases are unbiblical and not based upon reason or fact.  It was their attempt to try and make sense of those things in Torah and seemingly have no answers or are totally beyond our understanding.  Here's the link to that podcast -  https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-genesis-lesson-47-special-what-is-rabbinc-midrash/ Another issue is to discuss another rabbinic fantasy that the rabbis made up.  "There is a mystical Jewish tradition (in other words a MIDRASH or something a mna made up to explain something) that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple with a rope tied to his foot. The purpose of the rope, according to the tradition, was to retrieve the high priest's body in case he died in the course of his duties within the Holy of Holies."  (See the article, "Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies?" found at the Bible study website www.GotQuestions.org or https://www.gotquestions.org/high-priest-rope.html) This is totally false and it is something that the rabbis made up and has stuck with us ever since.  We need to see that this "tradition" is antibiblical and refutes THE VERY WORDS OF GOD as to how the High Priest is to dress when he enters the Holy of Holies once per year on Yom Kippur.  I found it amazing as to how many Christians believe this to be true.  It is clear that most Christians are poorly trained in the Bible.  It is even taught in the Creation and Earth History Museum just outside of San Diego.  The false tradition is portrayed as true and in their description they even go against the Bible and God's word and instruction.   Here's an awesome scholary article on this issue that I believe will only add to your study - "That Rope around the High Priest's Ankle," by Todd Bolen at this link https://www.bibleplaces.com/blog/2009/01/that-rope-around-high-priests-ankle/ Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - on the Pergamum acropolis in Turkey) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We now read about the High Priest's Choshen Mishpat ("Breastplate of Judgment"). It contained four rows of precious stones, each row containing three stones. Artisans engraved the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel upon these twelve stones. This cloth breastplate contained a fold wherein the Urim v'Tumim, a parchment on which was written G‑d's Name, was inserted. The Choshen Misphat was then secured by straps which connected it to the ephod.

The sermon centers on the theological significance of identity, lineage, and service as revealed in Ezra 2, illustrating how the Old Testament's meticulous documentation of genealogy and priestly status points forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. By examining the temple servants, the Sons of Solomon's servants, and the excluded individuals who could not prove their ancestry, the message underscores that access to God's presence and service in His house was contingent upon verified identity—highlighting the fragility and eventual collapse of the Old Testament system. This breakdown, particularly the absence of the Urim and Thummim and the destruction of priestly records, creates a divine impasse that only Christ can resolve, as He establishes an eternal priesthood that transcends ethnic, genealogical, and ritual boundaries. The sermon argues that through union with Christ, believers are not only restored to the original human vocation of priestly and kingly service but are now the living temple of God, fulfilling the purpose for which humanity was created. This identity in Christ, rooted in His sacrificial work and resurrection, is the foundation for authentic Christian living, service, and worship, and it is the only true basis for drawing near to God—making Christ the sole mediator and the ultimate reality behind all Old Testament types and shadows.

Join Rod, Janice, Corie, and Ryan on Bible Discovery as they delve into Numbers 34, exploring the boundaries of the land of Israel as prescribed by God. This episode provides insights into the historical and spiritual significance of these borders and discusses the role of the Urim and Thummim in decision-making. It emphasizes the need to pray for Israel and understand God's eternal assignments.

Join Rod, Janice, Corie and Ryan as they delve into the Book of Leviticus, focusing on the anointing of priests, the tragic deaths of Aaron's sons, and the significance of the Urim and Thummim. Explore the deep connections between ancient practices and modern faith, and learn how to apply biblical teachings in everyday life.

This episode is part 27 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.This episode covers chapters 33-38 of the book of Alma. Alma continues his sermon to the Zoramites and Amulek joins in. Alma, Amulek, and their companions move to Jershon. Many Zoramites move there too, angering the Zoramite leaders. This results in a pending war between an alliance of Zoramites and Lamanites and the Ammonites and Nephites.Alma begins to talk to his sons. He passes down the brass plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the compass ball to his son Helaman. He tells his son Shiblon to keep up the faith and avoid temptations. The next episode will be about Alma's message to his son Corianton.Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Alma [chapters 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38]Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

Competing claims disagree on whether Joseph Smith had a seer stone separate from the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon. What's true?

Programi traditë i ditës së fundit të vitit rikthehet edhe këtë herë dhe ndoshta ky është një nga momentet më të shumëpritura për të gjithë ju. E si mund të mbyllet ndryshe ky vit, përveç se nën tingujt e muzikës më të mirë të 2025.

Programi traditë i ditës së fundit të vitit rikthehet edhe këtë herë dhe ndoshta ky është një nga momentet më të shumëpritura për të gjithë ju. E si mund të mbyllet ndryshe ky vit, përveç se nën tingujt e muzikës më të mirë të 2025.

Programi traditë i ditës së fundit të vitit rikthehet edhe këtë herë dhe ndoshta ky është një nga momentet më të shumëpritura për të gjithë ju. E si mund të mbyllet ndryshe ky vit, përveç se nën tingujt e muzikës më të mirë të 2025.

Programi traditë i ditës së fundit të vitit rikthehet edhe këtë herë dhe ndoshta ky është një nga momentet më të shumëpritura për të gjithë ju. E si mund të mbyllet ndryshe ky vit, përveç se nën tingujt e muzikës më të mirë të 2025.

Latter-day Saints hold a variety of views about how the Book of Mormon was translated, often shaped by personal belief, historical study, and spiritual interpretation. The most traditional view is that Joseph Smith translated the record directly by the “gift and power of God,” using tools such as the Urim and Thummim. Others emphasize accounts describing Joseph placing a seer stone in a hat and receiving the text spiritually rather than through a direct linguistic process. Some members see the translation as a largely miraculous or revelatory experience, while others adopt a more nuanced approach, viewing it as a mix of divine inspiration and Joseph's own language, culture, and understanding. These perspectives reflect the broad range of ways modern Latter-day Saints reconcile faith, history, and the mystery surrounding the book's origins.Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian to get to the root of it all!Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you'd like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

  EXODUS 68 PART 2 If you have not listened to lesson 68 part 1 here's the link.  It is strongly suggested that you treat part 1 and part 2 as one unit.  In part 1 we study Exodus 28 but with a focus on John 5:39 where Jesus teaches us that scripture testifies of Himself.  All they had was the Hebrew Scriptures in Jesus' day.  No New Testament.  The first book of the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians, will not be written for another 20 years.  The first gospel perhaps written 30 years later.  So for them THEN Jesus is referring to the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures with the TORAH, the first five books of the Bible, as the most important books at that time.  So, is it possible that Exodus 28 testifies of Yeshua HaMaschiach, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  Chapter 28 is all about the High Priest and the details the Lord gives Moses about the special clothes of the High Priest and the priests.  But, Jesus is termed the High Priest in the book of Hebrews So, it seem possible that the scriptures of Exodus chapter 28 will testify of the Lord, Jesus, the Messiah and the High Priest.  The link for lesson 68 part 1 is shown below. Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-68-part-1-exod-281-5-41-43-we-are-priests-of-our-father/ The study of the special clothes of the High Priest and the priests is complicated and detailed.  There is so much more that I can teach in a 40-45 minute podcast or vidcast (vidcast = video podcast).  Shown below is the picture I used in the vidcast to review the high priestly garments.  It might prove helpful as you continue your study as you access the other resources I have included below. As I indicated in the video I am giving you links to other resources to use to study this topic that will add to your knowledge and enhance and expand your understanding. The first resource is the scholarly articles from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.  This is an amazing orthodox Jewish educational website.  It deals with the Temple, the Feasts, the Red Heifer, and so much more.  The links below are to four separate articles that address the clothes of the High Priest.  I know you will find them awesome. Article 1 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments/ Article 2 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-2/ Article 3 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-3/ Article 4 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-4/ Another great scholarly website is the IVP Bible Commentary – Old Testament.  They also have a New Testament commentary as well.  This resource is a must if you are serious in your study of the Bible.  Below is the link to the complete IVP Old Testament Commentary as a PDF version.  Simply access the link and go to page 108 in the PDF to find the commentary on Exodus 28.  Here's the link – https://wnlnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary_-Old-Testament-PDFDrive.com-.pdf To complete your collection here's the link to the IVP New Testament Commentary in PDF format.  Link – https://wnlnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary_-New-Testament-2nd-edition-PDFDrive.com-.pdf Another great resource that is a must for the serious disciple of Yeshua to learn His Word and enhance and expand your understanding is the International Bible Study Encyclopedia.  Here's the link to the article on the Urim and Thummim.  Link – https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/U/urim-and-thummim.html Here's the link to the home page for the International Bible Study Encyclopedia - https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/ Finally, there is a Christian website called “GotQuestions.org” and it provides another view of the priestly garments and the Urim and Thummim.  I access many times to get an orthodox Christian view of concepts in the Bible.  The links below to GotQuestions.org and self-explanatory.  https://www.gotquestions.org/priestly-garments.html https://www.gotquestions.org/urim-thummim.html https://www.gotquestions.org/ephod.html https://www.gotquestions.org/priestly-garments.html https://www.gotquestions.org/anointed-priest.html https://www.gotquestions.org/scarlet-thread.html   Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - on the Pergamum acropolis in Turkey) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Friday Bible Study (11/7/25) // Ezra 2: 41-70- (ESV) // The Exiles Return41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. 42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, and the sons of Shobai, in all 139.43 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon, 45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, 46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan, 47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah, 48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, 49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, 50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim, 51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 54 the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha.55 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda, 56 the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of Ami.58 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.59 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, 652. 61 Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name). 62 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim.64 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 65 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. 66 Their horses were 736, their mules were 245, 67 their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720.68 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics[a] of gold, 5,000 minas[b] of silver, and 100 priests' garments.70 Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel[c] in their towns.Footnotesa. Ezra 2:69 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 gramsb. Ezra 2:69 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogramc. Ezra 2:70 Hebrew all IsraelWebsite: ⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ TikTok: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠ Venmo: ⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠ PayPal: ⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠ ⁠#Ezra⁠ ⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠ ⁠#BibleStudy⁠ ⁠#mbchicago⁠ ⁠#mbcchicago⁠ ⁠#Bible⁠ ⁠#versebyverse⁠ ⁠#church⁠ ⁠#chicago⁠ ⁠#livechurch⁠ ⁠#churchlive⁠ ⁠#chicagochurch⁠ ⁠#chicagochurches⁠ ⁠#sermon⁠ ⁠#bibleexplained⁠ ⁠#bibleproject⁠ ⁠#bibleverse⁠ ⁠#bookbybook⁠ ⁠#oldtestament⁠ ⁠#explained

Moses reveals God's instructions for the priestly garments. The Priests are consecrated. The Urim and Thummin. Exodus 27:9-21, 28:1-30, 31-42, 29:1-21 Temple at the Center of Time by David Flynn www.color-wheel-pro.com. #everydaychristians

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the STFM Foundation, three Foundation Past Presidents, Judy C. Washington, MD, Scott A. Fields, MD, MHA, and Julie Schirmer, LCSW, reflect on the Foundation's lasting impact on innovation, diversity, and future leadership in academic family medicine. From scholarships that ignite a passion for teaching to seed grants that spark groundbreaking ideas, the programs and initiatives of the Foundation foster a strong, supportive community rooted in STFM's values. And after five exciting decades, the STFM Foundation continues to build its legacy by shaping the next generation of family medicine educators. Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MDCopyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025Resources:STFM Foundation 50th Anniversary CelebrationSTFM Foundation Home PageBehavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship (BFEF)Leadership Through Scholarship FellowshipURM JAM PodcastGuest Bios:Judy C. Washington, MD, FAAFPDr Judy C. Washington is a respected leader in family medicine and women's health, currently serving as Associate Chief Medical Officer at Atlantic Medical Group and Clinical Associate Professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. She earned her BS from the University of Montevallo and her MD from Meharry Medical College, completing her residency at Mountainside Family Practice. With a career spanning private practice, academia, and leadership, Dr Washington is a passionate advocate for health equity. Her research addresses workforce diversity, the “minority tax,” and institutional support for underrepresented faculty in medicine; these topics are of ongoing concern. She has established mentorship programs to support URiM professionals and enhance inclusive leadership.At Atlantic Medical Group, she plays a pivotal role in initiatives such as the Women's Health Work Group and the SDOH Steering Committees, concentrating on mitigating disparities and enhancing care outcomes. Her research also investigates equitable recruitment practices in medical education and the effects of systemic inequities on physicians of color. Dr Washington's contributions are supported by grant-funded research, service on various boards, and numerous accolades, including the Union County Humanitarian Award. Her professional career exemplifies a profound dedication to promoting equity, mentoring emerging leaders, and cultivating inclusive healthcare environments.Scott A. Fields, MD, MHADr Scott Fields is former Vice Chair in the Department of Family Medicine at OHSU.  Scott currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he has been faculty since 1986.  Prior to retiring, Scott served the same community of patients across multiple generations for over 30 years as a full-scope family physician, including inpatient and maternity care with C-section privileges.  Scott oversaw the clinical enterprise of the Department and was an active force in medical student education.Scott has served in multiple roles in STFM, including STFM President and President of the STFM Foundation.  Scott facilitated a detailed update of the core clerkship curriculum and helped guide the expansion of many of the programs still in place at STFM and the Foundation.   Scott also served as the Chief Medical O

And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.2 And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.11 Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgments with Israel.22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south.24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Exodus 39 – The Garments of Survival in the Fire | Torah Class (Ahava~Love Assembly)Shalom! In this Torah class we enter Exodus 39 — the chapter of priestly garments. More than fabric, these were garments of survival before Yahuah's consuming fire.We begin with the Parable of the King's Banquet and the Seamstress — a living picture of why no man can stand before Yahuah in his own covering.Every stitch in Exodus 39 preaches:The Ephod – burden of names carried on the shoulders.The Breastplate – judgment on the heart, justice + mercy fused.The Robe – sound and fruit together, or silence that proves death.The Crown – the forehead as altar, engraved with Yahuah's seal or rebellion's mark.The Completion – only two garments in the end: Yahusha's robe washed in blood, or nakedness for wrath.⚔️ This is not a tailoring record — it is prophecy of judgment. Exodus 39 prepares us for the Final Day, when only those clothed in Yahusha will survive.

Dr. Teekz Yenpasook has overcame lymphoma, founded health clinics and mentored underrepresented students in dermatology and medicine. If you are interested in his story, please check out his previous podcast with DIGA where he dives deeper into his journey into dermatology. Now a dermatology resident at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Teekz shares insights on skin of color dermatology, LGBTQ+ health, and building more inclusive dermatologic education. In this episode, we discuss why representation matters in dermatology and his advice for medical students interested in skin of color research, mentorship, and advocacy. We hope you enjoy! Please explore the links below for amazing SOC resources that Dr. Teekz provided.How to get involved with Skin of Color Dermatology:Mentorship Programs & Diversity InitiativesAAD Diversity Mentorship Program: A funded, one-month mentorship for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students to gain hands-on experience with a dermatologist mentor.   https://www.aad.org/member/career/awards/diversitySkin of Color Society (SOCS) Mentorship Program: Connects students with experts in skin of color dermatology for long-term guidance and offers observership grants.   https://skinofcolorsociety.org/resources/student-resourcesNth Dimensions Summer Internship (NDSI): An eight-week clinical and research internship for first-year medical students interested in competitive specialties like dermatology.   https://www.nthdimensions.org/programsAAD "Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology" Initiative: A major program focused on increasing the number of Black, Latino, and Indigenous dermatologists through scholarships, workshops, and mentorship.   https://www.aad.org/member/career/diversity/pathwaysProfessional Societies & Interest GroupsSkin of Color Society (SOCS): The leading professional organization dedicated to advancing health equity in the care of patients with skin of color.   https://skinofcolorsociety.org/American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): The largest professional society for dermatologists in the United States.   https://www.aad.org/Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA): The national organization for medical student dermatology interest groups, offering resources on research, mentorship, and away rotations.   https://derminterest.com/Skin of Color Community: An organization focused on building an inclusive community and cultivating self-advocacy in healthcare through events and partnerships.   https://www.skinofcolorcommunity.org/Educational Resources & ConferencesAAD Skin of Color Curriculum: A free, comprehensive online curriculum with dozens of modules to train physicians on diagnosing and treating conditions in patients with skin of color.   https://learning.aad.org/Listing/Skin-of-Color-Curriculum-5719AAD Basic Dermatology Curriculum: A foundational resource for medical students to review dermatological terms and treatments for common disorders.   https://www.aad.org/member/education/residents/bdcAAD Upcoming Events & Meetings: A calendar of national AAD meetings, including the Annual Meeting and Innovation Academy, which are key networking and learning opportunities.   https://www.aad.org/member/meetings-education/upcoming-eventsAAD Free Skin Cancer Screening Program (SPOTme®): Information on how to volunteer for or host a free community skin cancer screening.   https://www.aad.org/member/career/volunteer/spot---DIGA Instagram: @⁠derminterest⁠Today's Host, Katelyn: @⁠katsteng---For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterestpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Music: "District Four" Kevin MacLeod (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠incompetech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Licensed under Creative Commons:By Attribution 4.0 License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/

Here are some Bible words that aren't too common—Ephod, Urim, and Thummim—except in this episode.In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker examines the wardrobe of the Old Testament High Priest, expecially the 14-16 precious stones used in his wardrobe.If you enjoy this podcast and make it a regular part of your week, would you consider helping us with your support? Thank you!

FACEBOOK COPY: Who are we letting close enough to carry our armor?

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptMy name is Spencer. I'm one of the pastors here. We're continuing to walk through the book of First Samuel. We are now in chapter 28. We'll be there today. So one of the things that my kids are very aware of is that I made a lot of mistakes growing up. And it's not an uncommon thing for them to ask about a specific thing. Hey, did you do this when you were a kid? And I say, I mean, I don't want to lie in that moment. If I can dodge, I'll do that. I'm very good at changing the subject. But they're getting older and they're getting a little bit smarter, and they're like, no, no, no, no, no. Just stay on point. Did you used to do this as a kid? And what I typically say is, like, yes, I did. And they know at this point that I made a lot of mistakes. You know, I tell them, like, I came to Faith later when I was 17. I didn't love Jesus wholeheartedly. I try to explain that. What I want you to understand is that when you choose this, more bad decisions can come out of that. So it becomes kind of a living cautionary tale. But I try to be discreet. I don't try to share all the things, but that's getting difficult because I have family. And I don't know if it's like a rite of passage for grandparents and aunts and uncles just to volunteer information to your children, but that's a thing. Because the other day they asked very commonly about a thing. Did you used to do this? And we had the whole little thing, yes, you know, I did, but da, da, da, da, like I used to. But, you know, this is a cautionary tale. Don't fall in the same mistakes. Because, you know, I was kind of a bad kid that did bad things at times. And they said, oh, yeah, we know that because he used to throw rocks at cars. And I said, what? How do you know that? I used to throw rocks at carts. And someone in the family had just volunteered the fact that when we were little rebellious children out at the roadside in the woods having fun throwing rocks at cars and, you know, just to see if they would look up in the sky and wonder where it came from. And I was like, yeah, that is a thing I used to do. And I had to do the whole thing. But I'm realizing as I get older that this is going to be a thing, that just some aunt or uncle is just going to volunteer some information, and I'm gonna have to really solidify this point that, yes, I did those things. And if you continue to choose sin, if you continue to choose bad things, it just grows, because that's the reality of sin. So my life gets to be a little bit of a cautionary tear and a parable to my kids to teach that principle, because I want them to understand that. I want them to understand that sin grows, that it is serious, that it has consequences. And one of those consequences is that you might continue to pursue it in a direction to where all of a sudden you're doing worse things that can wreck your life. And boy, oh boy, at this point in First Samuel, we see that so clearly in the life of Saul. We have watched him repeatedly make the wrong decision. We've watched him repeatedly live in his own self interest and to choose sin and how that's grown over time. And we kind of are at the place where he hits rock bottom, where the choices he makes in chapter 28 reveal a heart that is headlong after sin. And my hope is that as we walk through this story and see the truth that is bound up in it, it would remind us and be a cautionary tale for us to take sin seriously. So I'm going to pray and then we're going to walk through the story together. Heavenly Father, I pray that you might help us have ears to hear that we would not see this as simply a story that has all types of interesting details and then that's all it is. But we'd see it as your word that is revealing who you are and who you call us to be. May we have ears to hear and may we respond in the way that you would desire in faith and in repentance and in delighting in you above our own flesh and desires. In Jesus name, Amen.All right, so where we pick up in 28. So we left off last week, where David, through I really think fear and not trusting the promises of God that he was going to be the future king, he goes to the land of the Philistines where he finds safety there. And that's where we pick up right where Chet left off last week in verse one.> In those days the Philistines assembled and made war against Israel. And Achish said to David, "Know assuredly that you and your men shall go out with me to battle." And David said to Achish, "Very well; you shall know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Very well; I will make you my bodyguard for life."And it picks up with some context to set up the story in verse 3.> Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him and buried him at Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.All right, so we get some context here, something that we already saw a few chapters ago in chapter 25. We already know that Samuel is dead. We know his body is buried in rhema. Okay, that's an interesting context. Also, some things we didn't know that at one point, Saul, when he was doing the right thing, he kicks out all the mediums and the necromancers. These are people who were thought to summon dead spirits. So it's like, why are we being told about that? Buckle up. This story is. Is wild.> And the Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.So as the Philistines are gathering, Saul is seeing this, and he's terrified. Long gone are the days where he heard about the Ammonites and them disrespecting the people of God. And the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he rallied the people and they defeated them. He is now a scared king who can only see his enemy and is afraid. This is in verse six. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets, which is a picture of. As kings would sometimes get dreams from the Lord. And he's been rejected as king. So that's not happening. That the priests. We saw this earlier. In 1st Samuel, the high priest had the Urim stone, the Thuman stone. These were stones that were used to help answer, we think, prayers in a yes or no kind of manner. But we saw that he killed most of the priests at Nob. So the priesthood isn't with him anymore. So he doesn't have his kingly office. He doesn't have help. He doesn't have the help of the priests. Also, the prophets are no longer with him. He's the Samuel has in his prophecy shown that he has been rejected. So you get a picture of prophet, priest and king, that all of it has abandoned him in leadership and he is alone.> Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at En-dor."All right, so Saul, scared, frightened, says, I will find someone to help me. I will go to a medium for help. The same mediums that he rightfully kicked out of the promised land, that he rightfully saw to get rid of because he followed the law. Then the book of Deuteronomy, in chapter 18, it says,> "When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a charmer or a consultant of ghosts, or one who inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD."Stop there. He knew the law. That's why he kicked him out in the first place. He knew that all these people with their evil practices did not belong amongst the people of God. And now he has chosen to go and receive help from there. Which brings up a lot of questions. And I just want to pause in the story to deal with some of those questions, because when you read this story, you have questions about, wait a second, do mediums really do that in the Bible? Do they really consult the spirits of the dead? And the follow up question is, does that still happen? Is that a thing that happens today? Now what we're about to read is the only kind of account of seeking a medium, a witch, a sorcerer, anything like that does in these evil practices. The only really detailed account like this that we get in the Bible, and still it doesn't answer all of our questions. But after looking at this and kind of surveying the rest of the scriptures and thinking through this, here are my general thoughts on how to think about this in light of how we think about this today. Mediums, witches, fortune tellers, many of them are indeed con artists. They're fraudsters, they're tricksters, which I don't think takes a lot of explaining for us, because I think that's the default position of the west, is that if you drive through West Columbia, and you see a palm reader, you see tarot cards, or you see someone dealing in fortune telling, you steal that kind of stuff. Our default position mostly is, and that's probably, probably somebody trying to steal your money. It's probably a con artist of some sort. But what I want to push us on here is that in the majority of the world, so the rest of the world, the not Western world, so South America, Africa, Asia, it is accepted that there are people that deal in these evil practices. They consult evil spirits, they consult evil things to gain information. And really, honestly, the majority of history has kind of accepted this as a thing that happens. It really is only until recent history. And I'll be honest, mostly if your background is more of a white Western background, you're more likely to kind of reject this outright and not see that actually this is something that actually truly does happen. And if you can step out of your position and to see how other people in the world view this and how the rest of history thinks through this, I think it expands our scope a little bit. That's what I've been trying to do over the last few years, the last decade of trying to pastor, because I still think that many of them are con artists. I still think that many of them actually do all types of tricks. But as I've tried to think about this more over the last decade of ministry and then even in pastoring and seeing this, that truly there are unseen demonic forces that are at work all the time, and there are people that consult these things, and what comes out of those experiences sometimes is demonic forces that pastoring people and seeing how this shows up in their life, I see it over and over and over again. So, yes, I think some absolutely are con artists. They're playing tricks. But others of them, when they're consulting someone's ancestor, when they're looking for, when someone's wanting to find out something from their grandmother, that what they're actually hearing on the other side of that is not just trickery, that it's actually demonic forces that are actually speaking to and through these people who are engaged in these evil practices. And we don't know all the things. There's a lot of things we don't understand about this, but I think both of those happen quite a bit. And I think that's helpful for us to think through this. And I think I don't know this, but I think that it's quite probably uncommon to have just immediate access to the spirits of those who have died. Now. I think that's important for us as we think about this, what this is. And also I think it's important to ask the question why anyone would engage in these practices in the first place. People engage in these practices because they're trying to understand things and have control over their next steps in their future. An insight that doesn't come from the Lord. I think that's really helpful to understand. I think going back to actually 1st Samuel 15 is incredibly helpful for this. Because in 1st Samuel 15, when the judgment from Samuel is being passed to Saul, he says something that's very helpful and, and how we should think about this. He says,> "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king."What I find helpful about that judgment is it gives us a picture that there's some root issues behind all of this, that ultimately seeking mediums and necromancers is a rejection of the Creator for created things. It's a rejecting rejection of the word of the Lord to gain insight from the evil one, to gain insight to control your situation in life. I was reading a pastor in Africa, in Zambia, who regularly has to encounter people, people that are influenced by witchcraft and witch doctors. And one of the things that he was saying is that as they're seeking to really consult these practices because they have real practical things they want taken care of, they want their crops to grow and they want their kids to get better if they are sick, that as they're trying to control their future, what happens is as they go to these evil practices, it makes them slaves to two demonic forces that captivate and control their life. So the irony of going to seek control over your life by going to these practices, you invite forces in that actually begin to control you. And I thought that was a helpful insight into this to understand why people would do this and the danger that is bound up in doing this. I've seen this. I've sat with someone who engaged in occult practices in the past, and there were demonic forces in. In their life in the present, years later. And I know that our Western minds don't like to wrap our minds. That's hard for us to see. But it is a true spiritual reality now. It's a lot of context to how to think about this, to set up what we're about to. I think we should think about that as you see things from witchcraft to mediums, Ouija boards, Tarot cards, palm readings, even zodiac, horoscopes, and astrology, all of that is in an unseen spiritual realm. But if you are choosing to find insight to control your future by those practices, you are rejecting the Lord and his word and his counsel, and you are inviting evil into your life in a way that is extremely dangerous. Now, all that's helpful, and then we get this, what we're about to read, which is an incredibly unique experience all in itself. And trying to understand it is difficult, but I think we have some insight in how to understand this situation and also how this works broadly.So now we're going back in the story.> So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a spirit, and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you." And the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?" And Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me." And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth." And he said, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up; he is wrapped in a robe." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why then have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" And Saul answered, "I am in great distress, for the Philistines make war against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you to tell me what I shall do." And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me. And the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath on Amalek. Therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines."Then Saul fell full length on the earth and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified and said to him, "Behold, your servant has obeyed you; I have put my life in my hand and have listened to what you told me. Now therefore hear the voice of your servant; let me set a morsel of bread before you, and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way." But he refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants and the woman urged him, and he listened to their voice. So the woman took a calf that was fat and killed it at once, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it. And she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.All right, so he goes to seek help from this woman. And you should feel really the sad nature of this, that he's taking off his kingly garments, he's disguising himself so he cannot be seen. It's pathetic. This once powerful king is having to do this to get help. It's a sad picture. So he disguises himself in the night, and he goes to her, and he said, divine for me, a spirit by me. Divine for me by a spirit, and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you. The woman said to him, surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death? So he asks this, and she says, says, you realize the irony here is she can't see that it's Saul, but she clearly knows he's an Israelite. You realize that Saul kicked out all of the mediums. The necromancers, like you understand that you're putting me at risk here. She's nervous. And then Saul responds in verse 10. But Saul swore to her by the Lord, as the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you from. For this thing which y'. All that is wildly insane and wicked. Because what he just did was that he invoked the holy name of God to offer protection to a woman who is engaging in evil and demonic practices. That is gross blasphemy. And you're supposed to feel that as he invokes the holy name of God to protect this woman so that she will do this evil thing for him.Then the woman said, whom shall I bring up for you? He said, bring up Samuel for me. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, why have you Deceived me. You are Saul. All right. It's impossible to know for sure what's logistically happening, but I think we can tell a few things. First, this woman did not expect to see Samuel. She is surprised. And when she sees that it's Samuel, she makes the connection that he saw. And she is scared. So she's shocked. And I would argue, I think the reason she's probably shocked that she actually saw and. And a spirit from someone who is dead is because this doesn't happen for her very often. So I think this woman probably is more on the con artist side of this. This is not a thing that normally happens. And if she is consulting evil spirits of some type, it doesn't look like this. So she's caught off guard by this, and she is scared. And once she connects all of this and she says, you are Saul, it says the king said to her, do not be afraid. What do you see? And the woman said to Saul, I see a God coming up out of the earth. Which, again, it's just. This is just shows how all the fools that are involved in here, Saul, a fool engaging this evil. She clearly does not understand how this works. She clearly cannot grasp what's happening. The best thing that she can do, best way she can describe this is it's like a God that's coming up out of the earth. 14 he said to her, what is the appearance? And she said, an old man is coming up and he is wrapped in a robe. And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and he paid homage.So he sees that it's Samuel. And there's this question of that people have when they engage with this. It's like, how does this actually happen? How does an evil person like this, how is she able to bring up the actual spirit of Samuel? Samuel's body's buried in rhema, but somehow she's able to actually bring the spirit of Samuel up. How does this. Why is this even happening? Why does God allow this evil woman to engage in this evil practice to bring about the prophet Samuel? And I think the answer to that question, even I would probably argue that's not the normative thing that happens with the spirits of those who are dead. I think that why God in his sovereignty, allows this to happen in is exactly what we're about to read next. It has to do with what Samuel's going to say to Saul. So God allows it for the purposes of what's about to happen.Then Samuel said to Saul, why Have you disturbed me by bringing me up? And Saul answered, I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. Which just shows the utter foolishness of where Saul is at this point in his life, that he thought that going to get a medium to engage in this evil and wicked and abominable practice to bring Samuel back for him, to help him. He's just. He's a fool. And something I've said multiple times in this series. Saul just. It's clear he doesn't know God. He just doesn't know God. If he thinks that this was going to work out well for him, he doesn't know the Lord. And then verse 16, Samuel said, why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor and David, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek. Therefore the Lord has done this thing to you, done this thing to you. This day, moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines. So Samuel is brought up for this right here. I already told you, as I declared years ago, the judgment upon you, that the kingdom that you've been grasping onto for so long is not yours. It is being given away. And very soon tomorrow you and your sons in the battlefield will die, and you'll join me in death, and Israel will lose. That is why God and his sovereignty allows Samuel will be brought to declare that message. You are going to die tomorrow. Saul responds.> Then Saul fell full length on the earth and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.Then the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, behold, your servant has obeyed you I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way. And she's like, come on, eat, get out. At this point she's just like, get out of my home. Because she's taken her life in her hands and she wants him gone. And this medium is trying to get him up off the ground. He refused and said, I will not eat. But his servants together with the woman urged him and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. And the woman had a fattened calf in the house and she quickly killed it. She took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it. And she put it before Saul and his servants. And they ate. Then they rose and went away that night. And this is one of the final pictures we get of Saul. And it's sad. It's just sad. And when you think about this in light of his life, it's just like, how did he get here? How has he been so reduced to this sad scene, to having to trust in demonic forces and being told he's going to die? And when you take a step back from the story and you understand the life of Saul, it becomes very clear. He made one sinful decision after the next. He made one self interested decision after the next. And when you see that decision after decision after decision of how this played out, you understand that sin just grew in his life. You go back to 1 Samuel 13, you see that he makes the unlawful sacrifice that he was not supposed to. He disobeys the Lord. You see in 1st Samuel 14 he acts like a fool and he makes a rash vow. You see in 1st Samuel 15 that he refuses to obey the voice of the Lord and to slaughtering the king of the Amalekites. He refuses to do it. You see in 1st Samuel 18 that he tries to murder David. You see in 1st Samuel 19 he tries to murder him again. You see in 1 Samuel 22 he murders the majority of the priests at Nob and their wives and their children. And then from 23 onward, you see this endless pursuit to try to take the life of David, try to murder David and his men. And then he gets spared by David. And there's like a moment where he's sorry over his sin, but he's not truly repentant. And he continues in this. He continues to make sinful choices over and over and over again until his heart is so hardened he cannot see the utter wickedness of deciding that it was a good thing to go and seek the help of a medium. And that right there should serve as a cautionary tale for us. That we should understand the nature and the seriousness of sin and how it grows with every deliberate decision to pursue it. We should heed the wisdom of James chapter one that says,> "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death."That we should see the reality of when temptation comes and how that grows into this desire of sin and how we pursue it, and how when the sin comes, continues to grow in our life, develops, it seeks to destroy us and bring death to us. We should understand the seriousness of sin and how every decision can grow into further pursuing sin. Because here's what happens, y', all, is that sometimes we get so caught off guard by how someone could make such a sinful, foolish choice. People will say, I can't believe that he cheated on her. I can't believe that he would wreck his family and decide to do this. As if it's some surprise when in reality this is what sin does. That he was a man that from early on his teenage years was addicted to pornography and grew this unhealthy, sinful appetite that continued to grow over time. And then maybe he had some freedom when he got married for a moment, but he keeps running back to pornography, keeps running back to these sinful desires. And then in a season where his marriage isn't doing all that well, he gets the positive attention of a co worker. And it inflames that desire in him even further, which develops into lustful thoughts throughout the day, which develops into long lunches with her, which develops into hotel rooms. And it's not a surprise when you understand the nature of sin and how it grows. People will be shocked and ask, I can't believe those friends had this massive falling out. What happened? They were such good friends, like for so long now they seem so cold and distant towards one another. But it's the long road that gets you there of one thing after the next, that it starts with a comment, this person hurts their friend. And then instead of their friend doing the right God honoring thing to go to their friend, and after examining their own heart of why it hurt them to go and say, hey, you've actually hurt me, this was A hurtful thing to say. They just keep it to themselves, and they get angry, and then weeks later, they return fire. Typically, how it goes is, you know, you've been angry for weeks, and all of a sudden something that's completely unrelated just bubbles out in a way that just hurt. Where did that come from? And then no resolution happens there. No reconciliation happens there. Now there's relational weirdness that is set up in the friendship. And now they're both growing resentful, and they're unwilling to repent along the way until finally their eyes see towards each other. They're cold, they're distant, they're calloused. And it's like it was one bad decision after the next. People will be surprised when someone steals from their company. I can't believe that he robbed his company. He's going to prison. Like, what was he thinking? And again, you have to follow the progression here. These things happen over time with decision after decision that years ago that he was a person that started to finally make money. Instead of submitting his finances to the Lord and growing in generosity, he said, I want to spend on myself. And he's continued to fill his life with riches and all types of pleasures. And then as he began to fill his life with things and upholding things over the Creator, he started to grow some debt in his life. And then all of a sudden, there was an easy way to maneuver a little bit of money in a way that no one would ever see. And then he continues this and continues to buy more things and continues to set his heart on material things. And more debt is growing, and more debt is growing. And then all of a sudden, he's in a lot of debt and has some big decisions to make, and there's a big move that he shouldn't have made. And all of a sudden he makes it, and now he's facing prison time. Do you see how this works? Sinful choices that we make over and over and over again. I'll give you one more. People will ask, I can't believe that church split in two. I can't believe that this group all of a sudden just fell apart. What happened there? And y', all, it just. It's. It is a slow fade into this type of disunity. It usually starts with someone who just goes to someone else in their group or goes to someone else in their church and says, I need to vent. I need to. This is the way. This is the holy way to do it. I need the process. Just need to process with you. And then loose Lips rolls out into some gossip, and all of a sudden there's gossip in the air and distrust is in the air. And then eventually slander comes out. And then someone comes back and says, hey, I heard that you said this about me. What's going on with that? And then sides are taken. No one does what they're supposed to do in repenting of their sin and seeking reconciliation God commands us to do. Sides are taken, hearts grow hard and they part their separate ways. This happens over and over and over again. And that's what happened with Saul. He continued to make sinful choices, cementing the position of his heart. And some of you right now have what you might consider to be baby small sins in your life. Maybe some of us have these respectable sins in our lives that we don't think are a big deal. Maybe there's some hidden sin in our lives. And what we do is we justify ourselves, our actions, our thoughts. Thoughts. Are we minimized and say, that's not that big of a deal. Are we covered up with a veneer of righteousness that says, yeah, I know I got this going on. I haven't really confessed it to anyone, but I'm still doing these things. And then that grows, and then it grows and it influences the next decision and the next decision and the next decision, and then it destroys us. We should heed Hebrews chapter three in a way that should sober our souls to reality.> "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'Today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."And the warning there is, be careful in choosing sin, lest you actually, in your pursuit of sin, finally realize that your heart wasn't rooted in belief in the first place, receive the warning of the seriousness of sin, and hope that you have people in your life that will point you. That will point out the choices that you are making, that will ask the tough questions, that will notice the patterns in your life that reveal something beneath the surface that when you dip out for two or three months and you make lots of excuses about not being around, that someone will come into your life, the word of God will come into your life and will reveal what's happening before you, harden your heart in a direction that you do not come back from. We should receive the warning here that we're only a few steps away from wrecking our lives.Now, here's the good news while Saul chooses evil and he meets this very sad end. We have the opportunity to choose Christ. We have the opportunity to delight in him, to run to him. We have the opportunity to actually turn from path of destruction towards Christ. We have the opportunity to end humility, humble ourselves before the Lord, and pray for a softened heart. We have the opportunity to have groups of Christians in our community group that we have people in our lives that at a moment's notice will give us the ear that we need to listen to begin to walk in the light. We have the opportunity and some of you have the opportunity 4 be very first time to actually choose Christ over the desires of our own flesh and following the ways of the world, influenced by the enemy himself, we have Christ and that's his desire for us. I so appreciate 2 Corinthians 5:15 that says,> "and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."that he died for us, that we on the path towards sin and hell might actually see that we had a Savior who bled and died for our sinful choices, for our bad trajectory, so that we might actually live not to ourselves, but but in submission to Him. And that is my hope as we leave this story today. Do not let the sins in your life grow and expand in a way that would suffocate your soul. Do not live for yourself like Saul did live for Christ, who for our sake died and was raised to free us from choosing evil. Pray for us. Heavenly Father, I pray that you would sober us to the reality of sin in our lives and you would awaken us to the joy that is found and understanding that while we sinned against you, you bled and died for our trespasses that we might trust in you of our own selves. Lord, we cannot do that without your work in our hearts. Lord, may you work in our souls in a way to awaken us to the reality of sin and the reality of your redemptive work on the cross in an empty tomb in Jesus name. Amen.We're going to prepare to take the Lord's Supper here in a moment. I want to read from Luke chapter 22.> And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."That as Christians we get to come to the table remembering that yes, we make sinful choices and yes, we pursue sin, and yes, we have hidden sin in our life that we need to actually respond by walking in the light. We have all those things. But the offer of Christ is you don't come in your perfection, you don't come in your righteousness, you don't come in your good works. You come needy, humbly rejoicing that his blood was poured out, that his body was broken. And we remember the good news of the gospel that is for, for us, the sinners. So as you consider your sin, consider your Savior. When you are ready, come joyfully to the table. Some of you, you have not actually fully trusted in the work of Christ. Some of you, if you're honest with yourself that your whole life has been won towards only pursuing sin. And where there's been bits of religiousness, where there's been bits of church attendance, where there's been bits of just doing some good things, those are a cover for a life that is fully captured by sin. And my hope right now is that God would soften your heart and open your eyes to the reality that that only leads to death. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus dies for sinners and that you would not come to the table. Do not come to the table right now. Come to Christ in faith, trusting in his work. And my hope is you wouldn't leave here today without talking to someone, talking to a pastor, talking to anyone, and asking them what does it look like to actually follow Jesus. And then we can talk about what it means to come to the table. But Christians, when you're ready to come to the table, there's gluten free in that back corner and upstairs.

PINCHUSThe saying goes “Life is what happens to us while we're busy making other plans.”Reality presents us with challenging situations that tear us between the life we want and the life we receive.We find ourselves in a dispute with Divine Providence over what could have been different.However, life becomes joyful when we manage to ride the wave and accept what is happening— when we let go of what we wanted and go with what we've been given.The secret to happiness lies in the ability to understand that the main decisions are made by destiny.They are determined in a way that is beyond human understanding, and therefore it is impossible to judge life using our own sense of logic or reason.To understand this deeply, we want to explore an important question: Why was the division of the land of Israel done by lottery?After all, the decision was backed by the Urim and Thummim—wasn't that enough?Especially since a lottery often suggests weakness or a lack of ability to decide. Lotteries are used in democratic systems where every vote counts, and no single authority can arbitrarily decide.But a king, who is the sole voice, does not hold lotteries or consultations—he gives commands.So where is the honor of the Holy One, Blessed be He, who seemingly needed to convince through a lottery?

Saul and the Medium of Endor 28In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army. 2David said to Achish, Very well, you shall know what your servant can do. And Achish said to David, Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life. 3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7Then Saul said to his servants, Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a medium at En-dor. 8So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you. 9The woman said to him, Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death? 10But Saul swore to her by the Lord, As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing. 11Then the woman said, Whom shall I bring up for you? He said, Bring up Samuel for me. 12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, Why have you deceived me? You are Saul. 13The king said to her, Do not be afraid. What do you see? And the woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth. 14He said to her, What is his appearance? And she said, An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe. And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. 15Then Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? Saul answered, I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. 16And Samuel said, Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?17The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lordhas done this thing to you this day.19Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines. 20Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.21And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way. 23He refused and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

It's always fun to talk to someone from the Strangite Church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) Based in Burlington, Wisconsin, this branch of the Latter-day Saint movement offers a distinctive perspective on the succession of Joseph Smith and the ongoing divine restoration. https://youtu.be/RUL8rF0hb4U Strangite Genesis in Voree The current headquarters of the Strangite Church is Burlington, Wisconsin. Interestingly, the area holds historical significance with multiple names. It was originally called Foxville. While today it's known as Burlington, a specific area on the west side of town where the Mormon settlement was located was called Voree by the early Strangites, a name associated with the significant "Voree record". James J. Strang led his followers to this location, believing God had instructed them to move from Nauvoo. James Strang was dispatched to the Burlington area by Joseph Smith, having been baptized and made an elder by Smith himself. Strang wrote back to Joseph Smith, suggesting Voree would be a "wonderful place for a gathering" due to its rich resources like fish, fresh water, great farmland, and good soil near the Great Lakes. Initially, Joseph Smith was hesitant, but after discussion with Hyrum Smith and a subsequent spiritual revelation, he concluded that Voree was indeed a good place for the Saints. James J. Strang: Joseph Smith's Chosen Successor? The Strangite Church believes that James J. Strang was divinely appointed as Joseph Smith's successor. This belief is rooted in two pivotal events: The Letter of Appointment: Joseph Smith penned a letter to James A. Strang, officially appointing him as his successor. This original letter is now preserved at Yale University in the Beineke Library, with copies available for members. The Angelic Ordination: On the very day Joseph Smith was assassinated, June 27, 1844, angels appeared to James J. Strang and ordained him a prophet. These were believed to be the same angels who ordained Joseph Smith – Peter, James, and John. Strang was aware of Joseph's death through this angelic visitation even before news arrived from Nauvoo. Furthermore, it's believed that Jesus also anointed Strang as the King of Israel for the gentile dispensation, an ordination attributed to his lineage from the royal line of King David. Sacred Texts and Prophetic Interpretations The Strangite Church embraces a unique canon of scripture beyond what is common in other Latter-day Saint traditions: The Voree Plates: These ancient plates were revealed to James Strang through a vision from the angel Moroni, known as the Hill of Promise. Strang gathered leading citizens to witness their excavation from beneath a tree, about four feet down, where roots had grown around them. The plates, housed in an earthen case, crumbled upon exposure to air due to their age. Witnesses, including a newspaper reporter from Kenosha, confirmed the ancient nature of the record and that the site had been undisturbed. Strang translated them using the Urim and Thummim given to him by the angel Moroni, much like Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon. The Voree Plates provide a brief history of a people who were "no more" and, most notably, contained a pictorial drawing depicting the true structure of the priesthood, including the prophet lawgiver, two viceroys, twelve apostles, high priests, and seventies. These plates were translated around 1844. The Book of the Law: This significant text is believed to be the "stick of Judah" spoken of in Ezekiel 37. According to Strangite belief, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon (the stick of Ephraim), but was instructed not to touch the sealed record, which was the Book of the Law, meant for a future prophet. James J. Strang, being of the tribe of Judah with Jewish ancestry, translated the Book of the Law after receiving the plates of Laban from the angel Moroni.

Join us on a fascinating journey to Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin, to explore the unique history and beliefs of a Latter-day Saint group often referred to as the Strangites. This isn't the commonly known LDS Church; rather, it's a distinct branch founded by James Strang. He started a rival Mormon Church in Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin back in 1844 and the church still exists! We'll tour around the Trust Farm and see historic sites, including the Hill of Promise & the home where James Strang died. Gary Weber is a Strangite. He's our tour guide and we'll discuss their church and theology. You don't want to miss this conversation... https://youtu.be/vlL_OQ69CEo Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. Genesis of Strangism The Strangite Church, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Strangite), was founded in 1844. James Strang, who had been sent on a mission to Wisconsin by Joseph Smith, claimed that an angel ordained him on June 27, 1844, the very day Joseph Smith died. This divine ordination, he asserted, made him the rightful successor to the church's leadership. Trip to Voree/Burlington The journey to this lesser-known Latter-day Saint community in Wisconsin involved a mix of trains, planes, and automobiles. Landing in Milwaukee, the trip continued towards Burlington, Wisconsin, where the Church is located. The group believes they are the original Mormon Church and refer to themselves as Mormons. The area around Burlington, known as Voree is the setting for much of Strangite history, especially concerning the "Voree record". The weather in Burlington on June 12th was surprisingly mild for summer, with a high of just 63 and low around 56 degrees Fahrenheit, a notable difference from Utah's typical June temperatures. Current Church Building and Surroundings The current Strangite church building, located on Spring Valley Road near what's called "Mormon Road," is smaller than I expected. According to Bill Shepard, a long-time resident & member, this building was constructed around 1965-1967 and marks the first time the Strangites have had a dedicated church building, as they were previously scattered. The lawn around the chapel is nicely manicured, and visitors are always welcome. Inside, or in their collections, the Strangites possess a wealth of historical documents, including 26 volumes of the Journal of Discourses, Times and Seasons, and Millennial Star. They also have Strang Manuscripts, which are copies of letters, and a publication called The Northern Islander, which was published at Beaver Island. Notably, the Strangites do use the Doctrine and Covenants. Sacred Hill of Promise One of the most significant sites for Strangites is the Hill of Promise. This is where James Strang is believed to have found his "Voree plates. The discovery was found under a small tree on the hill, under which Strang claimed a buried record lay. He gathered respected men from the town to witness the excavation, ensuring no prior disturbance of the soil. An angel reportedly appeared to Strang, revealing the record's location. Upon opening the stone casing, the ancient record crumbled due to exposure to air, a common occurrence with ancient artifacts according to Weber. Strang translated this record using the Urim and Thummim, which he said he received from the angel Moroni. The "Voree record" was a short account of a people named "Raja Ramor" who lived in the area and, similar to the Nephites on the Hill Cumorah, were largely destroyed in a great war. The record also depicted the priesthood structure, aligning precisely with the priesthood under Joseph Smith and James Strang, including prophet, viceroy, twelve apostles, and seventies. Beyond its historical significance, the Hill of Promise holds prophetic importance: James Strang's revelations indicate that Daniel from the Bible will someday app...

A quick look at offerings, the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, the Curtains, the Boards, the Veil, the Bronze Altar, the Courtyard, the Priests' clothing, and Urim & Thummim.

05/04/2025 Rev. Paul Bang Nehemiah 7:5-73     5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: 6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, 652. 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930. 39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of Harim, 1,017. 43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. 46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. 57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. 60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. 61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise. 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720. 70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas of silver. 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

Peculiar story of Abraham; Ur to Haran; Hebrew language - written to be read; Latin; Covetousness = idolatry; Family lineage; Name changes; Graft and corruption; Moneychangers; Sacrifice; "Leaven"; Cain and Abel; Altar purposes; Atheists?; Terah the organizer; Alexander the great; Genghis Kahn; Patterns of government; God's way; Gen 17:1; aleph-nun-yod; "walk" = hey+tav+hey-lamad-kof; Jacob walking in the spirit/faith; Covenant with God; Living by faith; Following false Christs; Welfare snares; Minutemen for each other; Choosing your way; "Perfect" offerings; Deut 18:13; Caring for neighbor; Deut 25:15; Dreams; Lk 6:4 Perfect as his master; Laying down your life; Learning to be Israel; Covenant = beit-resh-yod-tav+yod; Spirit and Truth; Daily ministration; Gen 17:4 Explaining to Abram; +hey+mem = Abraham (Father of many nations); "Kings"; Gen 17:7 Establishing the covenant; "Canaan" those following Nimrod; "Samad" destroyer?; "Give" nun-tav-nun - continuous; Repentance; "Seed" vav-lamad-zayin-resh yod kof; aleph-tav = relationship between God and man in faith; Possessing the land; Circumcision; Lev 10:16; of the heart; Knowing what to believe; Moving in Spirit; Divine spark; "token" of the covenant; Sarai to Sarah; Barak - biet-resh-kof = Blessing; Getting back to the light; Sarah model; Understanding bible meaning; "Thummim"; Tav-mem(+yod)-mem faith; Completeness; Abraham's laugh; Knowing by fruits; Physical token; Abraham's new societal structure; Ex 28:30; Double faith; "Urim" light and fire; Awakening; Gathering in tens, hundreds and thousands; What is your corruption?; "Perfect"; Bondage of Egypt; Discovering the solution; Being fruitful; Draw near to God.

For today’s installment of our 40 Days Meditation series, our brother Martin Steinbereithner provides commentary on Lev 8:1-29; 9:22-24. Listen below, download here, or search for Words from the Brothers on your favourite podcasting app. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread. And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.” And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. And Moses brought Aaron’s sons and clothed them with coats and tied sashes around their waists and bound caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then he brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. And he killed it, and Moses took the blood, and with his finger put it on the horns of the altar around it and purified the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it to make atonement for it. And he took all the fat that was on the entrails and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, and Moses burned them on the altar. But the bull and its skin and its flesh and its dung he burned up with fire outside the camp, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then he presented the ram of the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. And he killed it, and Moses threw the blood against the sides of the altar. He cut the ram into pieces, and Moses burned the head and the pieces and the fat. He washed the entrails and the legs with water, and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering with a pleasing aroma, a food offering for the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then he presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Then he presented Aaron’s sons, and Moses put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses threw the blood against the sides of the altar. Then he took the fat and the fat tail and all the fat that was on the entrails and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat and the right thigh, and out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord he took one unleavened loaf and one loaf of bread with oil and one wafer and placed them on the pieces of fat and on the right thigh. And he put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord. Then Moses took them from their hands and burned them on the altar with the burnt offering. This was an ordination offering with a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Lev 8:1-29; 9:22-24

Join our Patreon site (TSAR.website) to get some fantastic extra content and to support the podcast. To rent fantastic space and take advantage of the "penthouse suite" in Central Park East building on the Orem/Provo border, email thescripturesarereal@gmail.com. We are grateful for their support of the podcast.In this episode Gerrit Dirkmaat and Kerry explore the translation of the Book of Mormon. They analyze the sources from which we can learn anything, and teach how to evaluate them. They help us think through what it means to be a seer, the nature of having seer stones like the Urim and Thummim, and what we know about Joseph's translation. They help us see things from the point of view of people from Joseph's time, place, and culture, and help us understand the divinely aided translation of this sacred book. We are grateful for our generous donors who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful to Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the podcast and to Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

(7:15) Bible Study: Hebrews 1:1-6 What is repentance? Father explains. (25:45) Break 1 (28:50) Letters: Father talks about the teaching of cremation on the Church and scattering ashes, what does Jesus mean when he says the apostles will be judging the tribes of Israel? Father answers these and many more questions. Write to him at simon@relevantradio.com (35:26) Break 2 (36:02) Word of the Day: Ministering Angels (38:53) Phones: Rosemary - Can I go to the Latin Mass (SSPV) for a funeral Susan - how were Urim and Thummim used in Bible? what is difference between that and divination Tony - what does the church think about gene therapy? John - do we place too high an importance on the Bible?