Study the Bible with Arthur Bailey

Sin is defined by the New Testament writing of 1st John 3:4 - "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law." The Law of YeHoVaH covered every aspect of the Hebrew Israelite’s life from conception to the grave. YeHoVaH gave the Hebrew Israelites the greatest set of instructions and Laws that no other nation had. 

These Laws were to govern Israel and teach them the ways of YeHoVaH as a free people. YeHoVaH gave His Laws to a free people to prevent them from ever going into bondage again.  Debt was a form of bondage according to Proverbs 22:7 "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." 

In this portion of Matthew, Yeshua gives clear, step by step instructions on how to deal with a brother who sins against us based on the Law of YeHoVaH. Yeshua then connects a parable and the Law of YeHoVaH to illustrate the importance of forgiving each other in relation to how we can expect to receive forgiveness from YeHoVaH. 

Abraham’s eldest servant is believed to be Eliezer who ruled over all Abraham had, even though Abraham had two sons.  Eliezer was Abraham’s chief servant.  He was born in Abraham’s house, and he was like a son to Abraham.  Eliezer was taught by Abraham to keep the way of YeHoVaH, and Eliezer had been circumcised by Abraham.  

Abraham had faith that a wife for his son, Isaac, would come from amongst his kindred.  Abraham had Eliezer swear an oath to YeHoVaH, the Elohim of heaven and earth, but released his servant from the oath if no one would come from there.  Eliezer, being in charge of all Abraham’s goods, took what he needed and left for Mesopotamia and the city of Nahor.

Humility can be defined as having a humble opinion of one's self. Pride, the opposite of humility, can be defined as the character of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence and contempt. Religious pride and piety can be easily cloaked in false humility. 

Soon after demonstrating unbelief in their inability to cast the unclean, deaf and dumb spirit out of a young man, and a brief lesson on paying tribute to Caesar, the disciples got into an argument on who was the greatest amongst them. Yeshua uses this opportunity to teach His disciples, and us, a lesson on humility and pride and shares a parable with them revealing YeHoVaH’s desires for believers and unbelievers alike. 

Sarah died at 127 years old.  This would have made Isaac around 36 years old when his mother died since she gave birth to him when she was 91. Abraham was not only a righteous man, but he was also a righteous businessman.  When he was negotiating for a cave and land to bury Sarah, Abraham wanted possession/control of the cave and the piece of land.  Abraham did not want to use the cave, he wanted to own the cave and was willing to pay whatever price the cave was worth. He did not want to be in debt to anyone or owe any man anything.  This reasoning caused him to refuse to take a gift from the Hittites.

Yeshua informed His disciples not to tell anyone about the vision they had witnessed during His transfiguration until after His resurrection. The disciples discussed the resurrection as they descended the mount of the transfiguration and immediately became engaged in a tense interaction with a man, his son, and the disciples who remained at the foot of the mountain.  The disciples were frustrated because they were unable to cast out an unclean spirit. Yeshua informed them on how to overcome their failure, taught them an object lesson on faith, and transitioned His attention to the Temple Tax.  In this teaching, we will address decades’ old false teachings and misinformation that have disempowered followers of Messiah, sent them down the path of unscriptural deliverance ministries, and much more.  

As James wrote, YeHoVaH does not tempt; He comes to test or prove Abraham.  Abraham heard the instructions given him and rose up early in obedience to the instructions he had been given. Abraham’s and Isaac’s journey to Mt. Moriah, where Solomon later built the temple, was three days. The Dome of the Rock is located there today and is the supposed location of the Temple Mount

Isaac said to Abraham that they had the fire and the wood, but where was the lamb for a burnt offering?  A burnt offering is an offering made by fire and in this case is wholly consumed meaning it is completely burnt up in the fire.

Listen to the great faith of Abraham and submission of Isaac!

The Transfiguration of Messiah Yeshua is one of the most significant events in the life of our Savior. What happened during that event was a foreshadow of things to come that would impact all believers who put their faith in Messiah Yeshua. Peter, James, and John (the brother of James) had the fortunate privilege of witnessing The Transfiguration in order to declare what they saw to the disciples not present and all disciples of Messiah Yeshua, past, present and future. Several conversations ensued between some of those who were present that would confirm instructions Yeshua had revealed to His disciples prior to His transfiguration and point to what would take place in the days ahead. Join in with us as we join this powerful meeting and listen in to the discussion that took place during The Transfiguration and discover how this miraculous event prophetically signals the impact on all believers today.  

After Abraham had dwelt several years in the land, the king and the chief captain of his army comes to establish an agreement with Abraham.  It appears that Abimelech had kept an eye on Abraham, and it was clear to him that Abraham’s Elohim was a mighty, Mighty One. He is now concerned that as Abraham prospers and multiplies that he could become a problem, so he feels a need to establish an agreement with Abraham that Abraham would not cause harm to him, his son or his son’s children.  Abimelech wanted assurance from Abraham to treat him fairly as he had been treated.

Terminology evokes images in the minds of people that affect people consciously and subconsciously in how they see themselves and in their approach to the entity they call God. Just as knowledge is power, words have power. The translation of words from one language to another can ascribe different meanings to the words translated into the new language. In this passage of Matthew, Peter receives revelation from YeHoVaH of who Yeshua is and the Disciples are informed of the master plan of Messiah.  From the First Century until now, the Twenty-First Century, this passage in Matthew 16, and others like it, have conjured incorrect images of the actual words translated the Christ, the Church, and the Cross as revealed in the English translations of this passage. This has led to incorrect worship and lifestyles that differ from what the Messiah lived and taught.  

YeHoVaH fulfills His promise by visiting Sarah and blessing her with a son in her old age and Abraham’s old age.  Abraham names his son Isaac, (he laughs) the name YeHoVaH gave him in Genesis 17:19 just as He had given Hagar the name for Ishmael (God will hear) in Genesis 16:11.   And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac at eight days old, as Elohim had commanded him. Ishmael was circumcised at 13 and Abraham at 99.  Abraham is honoring the Covenant between YeHoVaH and him.  Abraham who had no sons and now has two sons is being asked to send one away by his wife, Sarah. Abraham was grieved and YeHoVaH intervened to give Abraham counsel on what to do.