ISSUE: #20

MEM

Message

In Matthew 12, Yeshua refers to Himself as being greater than (1) the Temple, (verse 6); (2) Jonas, (verse 41); (3) Solomon (verse 42).

In verse 42, the queen of Sheba will also rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now someone greater than Solomon is here—and you refuse to listen to him.(NLT)

He was answering the Pharisees who were criticizing Him, trying to find fault in Him. They would not listen to Yeshua, the Messiah, their Creator standing in their midst.

Verse 14 - But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. (NAS)

An article by David Wilkerson about verse 42 was interesting for me. He pointed out what the Queen of Sheba might have endured just to come before Solomon and return. It is estimated she traveled some 1500 miles by caravan taking 75 days round trip. Facing peril of hot desert, cold nights, marauding thieves, barren terrain, and no creature comforts, just to gain an audience with Solomon.

1Kings 10:1-9 - Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. So she came to Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and very much gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her. When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. Then she said to the king, "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. "Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard. "How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. "Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

v-13 - King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested, besides what he gave her according to his royal bounty. Then she turned and went to her own land together with her servants. (NAS)

Are we coming before Messiah with a humble attitude seeking to find the answers to our every need or do we take Him lightly? Will the Queen of the Sheba rise up and condemn us in the day of judgment?

Proverb

Proverbs 7:24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 8:6 "Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

Saying

Bible Quiz

1. Which judge of Israel is said to have dwelt under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel?
2. Aaron’s rod that budded brought forth what type of fruit?
3. Noah sent out a dove from the ark which brought back a leaf plucked from which plant?
4. Absalom was fleeing battle when he got his head caught in what type of plant?
5. When Solomon reigned, it is said that every man dwelt in safety, under a vine and what tree?
6. Jotham uttered a parable concerning the trees. In the parable, which tree agrees to be king?
7. When Elijah fled from Jezebel and asked God that he might die, he did so under what tree?
8. Where did Elohim plant a garden?

Hebraic Lesson

The following is to help one understand a Jewish custom that has interesting meaning.

The Mezuzah: (taken from John D. Garr’s book Living Emblems)

One of the most ubiquitous and readily observable mnemonic devices in Judaism is the mezuzah, the rectangular box that is attached to the right doorpost of the entrance to every observant Jewish home and to every habitable room therein. Available in myriads of sizes and styles that reflect the taste of the owner, each mezuzah is a signpost on the door of the Jewish home that proclaims it a household separated unto God and his service. This sacred symbol reminds the Jew of his obligation to abide by the Word of God’s commandments and to transmit its understanding to succeeding generations. It also demonstrates God’s ever present protection of his people. By it, Jews affirm their belief in the truth of prophecy, the creation of the world, and divine providence.

All mezuzot have one thing in common: they function as a container for a piece of parchment on which is inscribed the text of the Hebrew Scriptures that declares:

(Deuteronomy 6:4-9) "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

(Deuteronomy 11:20) "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates".

May we have these Words written upon our hearts.

Did you know:

Fingernails grow about two inches in a year.

Discovery of the semi-precious stone garnet often means diamonds are nearby.

The world's largest office building is the U.S. Pentagon. It has 6.5 million square feet.

The whale's heart beats only nine times a minute.

Junk Food

The British Education Secretary is calling for a ban on junk food in schools there, following a study that implied that junk food lowers children’s intelligence. The study was conducted at a North Wales school where children’s vitamin and mineral levels were below recommendations. Sixty children, who were given vitamin and mineral pills showed substantial improvement on intelligence tests, while the 30 children given placebos remained unchanged. (From a 1988 magazine.)

Humor

Did you hear about the man who fell into an upholstery machine?
He's fully recovered!

ON GROWING OLDER:

The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good spit it out.

Doctor to patient: I have good news and bad news; - The good news is that you are not a hypochondriac.

There's one advantage to being 102--no peer pressure.

You are getting older when you don't care where your wife goes just so you don't have to go along.

My grandfather's a little forgetful but he likes to give me advice. One day he took me aside and left me there.

It's hard to be nostalgic if you can't remember anything.

I got the bill for my surgery. Now I know why those doctors wear masks.
-James Brown

Children’s Story

Our story is taking a step forward to the time just before they enter the promised land. The events of the fortieth year, which are many, are as follows:

1. Miriam dies in the 1st month of the 40th year. Numbers 20:1
2. Water from the rock the second time. (Moses disobeys.) 20:2-13
3. Edom denies Israel passage through its territory. 20:14-21
4. Aaron dies on the 1st day of the 5th month of the 40th year. 33:38.
5. Arad, a Canaanite king, attacks Israel, but Israel retaliates and destroys the Canaanites. 21:1-3
6. The people's grumbling results in a plague that is stopped by looking on a bronze snake. 21:4-9
7. Israel travels from Oboth to the valley of Moab. 21:10-20
8. Israel defeats both the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan. 21:21-35
9. Balak, king of the Moabites, sends for Balaam to curse Israel, but he blesses them instead. Chapters 22-24
10. Israel is seduced into immorality and idolatry by Moabites, resulting in a plague. Chapter 25
11. Israel again numbers its fighting men 20 years and older. (Numbering 601,730). Chapter 26
12. Zelophehad's daughters request inheritance be passed on to them. 27:1-11
13. Joshua is named to succeed Moses. 27:12-23
14. The Midianites are defeated and spoils divided. Chapter 31
15. Tribes of Reuben and Gad choose land east of Jordan. Chapter 32
16. God explains distribution of the land along with boundaries. 33:50-34:29
17. Zelophehad's tribe request that their daughters marry within the tribe. Chapter 36
18. Moses gives Deuteronomy in one day. Deuteronomy 1:3
19. Moses writes down the law and gives it to the priests. 31:9-13
20. Joshua is commissioned to take command after Moses. 31:14-23
21. Moses commands the Levites to put the book of the Law into the Ark as a witness. 31:24-29
22. Moses recites words to his song and blesses the tribes. Chapters 32-33
23. Moses dies, Israel mourns 30 days. 34:1-8 (Source Hall’s Bible Timeline).

Quiz Answers

1. Deborah - Judges 4:4-5
2. Almonds - Numbers 17:8
3. Olive - Genesis 8:11
4. Oak - 2Samuel 18:9
5. Fig - 1Kings 4:25
6. Broom - 1Kings 19:4
7. Eden - Genesis 2:8