Isaiah 9:1-4 ! Glorious the Way

Isaiah 9:1-4

Nevertheless, will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great Light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

    on them has Light shone.

3 You have multiplied the nation;

    You have increased its joy;

they rejoice before You

    as with Joy at the harvest,

    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

4 For the yoke of his burden,

    and the staff for his shoulder,

    the rod of his oppressor,

    You have broken as on the day of Midian.

Isaiah 9 is one of the verses I cannot read or hear without deep and abiding realization in the Greatness of the Almighty. The nearness of Jesus to us. The depths of God we cannot fathom. Every time, Isaiah 9 brings learning, warmth and love. Aspects of the Lord are recalled.

Saul was wrong to call up Samuel from his rest. And Saul did regret doing so. I wonder if Isaiah greeted the Magi with the words, "What were you thinking, to knock on the door of Herod. I was clear!"  We will never accomplish or reach the Glory of God. Instead, Jesus will reach out to us and pull us to Him. Dearly, knowing us personally and in His Love and Joy.

Mary was probably surprised when the adult Jesus chose Capernaum. Isaiah, not at all. John recognized immediately the Light of the world, the Light of mankind, the Light of the nations.

Unexpectedly, Jesus left the land given to Judah, being of the tribe of Judah and chose Zebulun the last of the six sons of Jacob and Leah (Jacob's tenth son) and the last of the two sons of Jacob and Bilhah (Jacob's sixth son). Least of all. Much further down from Benjamin. Levites are to remain with Levites. Judah, the Tribe of David, you'd expect to remain within. Instead, Jesus sits with the unclean. Leaves the expected, immediately gathers thousands to Him, says Repent and speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven being present and accounted for.

Jesus knows Nathaniel, doesn't trust Himself to mankind, knows what is in them and Saves the world to bring a new Heaven and a new earth.

The ministry of Jesus is immediately filling the entire town and reminding the people of Moses.  Moses was living in Midian, shepherding. His father-in-law was a priest of Goodness. Midian isn't supposed to be filled with this. And Capernaum must have been living day to day in the beauty of the Sea of Galilee, while Jesus Christ was a complete and total joy and surprise. Jesus began to heal everyone.  Jesus is God. Jesus fills the All in All.

Isaiah is incredibly correct. Impossibly correct. Completely correct. Isaiah has given us the vision of God the Almighty for His Son, Jesus Christ. 700 years before Jesus walks as Grace upon Grace.

Would Jesus leave Isaiah to have the last living word about Capernaum? Jesus builds faith.  Increases faith. Jesus is the seed of the Parables and the Tree of Heaven, calling many to live in His Word and be comforted by His Branches.

Matthew 11:23

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you  

had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

Jesus did not bow down, did not whitewash, did not sanctify this life as filled with holiness. Did not flatter. 

Jesus does Love. Jesus offers a way, truth and Life.

Jesus taught part of John's 6th Chapter in the Synagogue in Capernaum. This relief of the Ark of the Covenant is found in Capernaum's White Synagogue.

Deuteronomy 28:9.10

The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land 

He is giving you.

The LORD will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God

 and walk in His Ways.

God of Love. God of encouragement. Capernaum is not recorded trying to throw Jesus off a cliff or stone Him. Jesus will be Jesus and bring good forth. Jesus has an earnest, serious life and yet, the Gospels record Jesus always finds Joy.

Jesus looks to what brings peace and joy and chooses a wonderful portion in hardworking Judea. 

Vintage photo of Capernaum, 1800s. The interesting part of 1800s photography of Israel, the populations were about the same as Jesus alive in Judea. Really interesting, so surprising, like Jesus!

Such a pretty town, located in the most fertile Sea of Galilee coast, with views of the Sea. No wonder Jesus chose Capernaum as his adult hometown. (Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.) Remember what causes a ruin. A ruin is caused by devastation, abandonment or prosperity. In devastation, only small parts will be discovered. Abandonment makes the best ruins for archaeology. Prosperity is iffy for posterity, sometimes covered over and preserved, sometimes ripped to fragments.

What do we know of Capernaum architecturally and historically. This is where the Jesus Boat was found in 1986 during drought. An intact ship, the kind dated to the day of grace and truth when Jesus prayed, walked, listened, asked and healed. Where the wealthy, largest home of Peter was used as a Church, as Peter went out to spread the Good News. The graffiti types and messaged date to about identical as the tomb of Peter found 80 feet below the Vatican Altar today (a complete village similar to the photo except underground).

So, what did Jesus' hometown do with the verbal seeds planted by the ministry of Jesus based in Capernaum? Capernaum is a suburb of Kinneret, listed by Joshua as one of the fortified cities in the Naphtali tribe. Capernaum grows up just before Jesus and is a Roman city made in logical grids. When we remember Jerusalem was utterly destroyed by the soon to be Roman Emperor Titus, in 70 A.D., we remember Jesus forgave everyone on the cross. It wouldn't have made Jesus sacrifice and forgiveness for us so majestic, if God had allowed the destruction to occur during Jesus' natural lifetime. The people of Jesus' day lived in mostly orderly rule.

Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Capernaum - where Luke 4:23 records Jesus did so many miracles and signs, where people knew to look for Him - fared much better than Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Peter's house was overflowing with people coming to worship Jesus after He ascended into Heaven. They even added onto the house to accommodate larger numbers of worshipers and pilgrims.

During the three Jewish Revolts against Rome - still good soil. Capernaum is recorded as being a "fertile spring" by Josephus. Many mills for grain and fisheries are in continuous operation and the town expands.

What would Jesus have said to the new 4th century Synagogue on top of the one where He taught and the new Byzantine Church built over (literally, they did not destroy) Peter's house? He probably would have been pleased they were much more interested in peace. And mixed emotions over a prosperity peace seeking than true peace. Perhaps, perhaps, He would have called this a seed being choked by weeds. Maybe.

Capernaum isn't intact, as we see in the photo. In the 6th century, Persia invaded, the Church and Synagogue were destroyed. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched.

The Persian invasion left Capernaum unmolested, until the 11th century, (WOW) to continue to provide fish and grain. Until later, the town of Capernaum was destroyed, as the Persians continued to be a governing force. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

This provides us with being able to understand so much of Capernaum and the history of Capernaum in archaeology! Jesus has given us the Depths of Capernaum!

And Isaiah wrote about Jesus right here, right here.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things.

John records Jesus led a life of Joy. We understand as Isaiah 9 tells us of Joy. In His footsteps are Goodness and Mercy.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Psalm 91 ~ He will

 

What would it have looked like to walk a dry Red Sea? 

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will saya to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes

and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

the Most High, who is my refuge—

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

11 For He will command His angels 

concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows My Bame.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

If you are going to start talking about the Exodus, if you are thinking of the Holiness of God surrounding the Children of Israel, we probably have to start at Abraham. Abraham believed God had the ability to give Abraham blessings and strength. The sons, grandsons and descendants of Abraham believed they had the ability to pass on blessings.

God speaks for God.

Genesis 12:3

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Now was Abraham to dwell upon this?

Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

Jesus said this exactly the best.

Luke 10:20

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you,

 but rejoice 

that your names 

are written in heaven.

Because of this!

1 Samuel 17:47

and that all this assembly may know 

that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; 

for the battle is the LORD'S a

nd He will give you into our hands.

And Jacob set off from land promised to Abraham. He had to do what we all do, he had to feed his children. And off to Egypt the adventure began.

This surely, surely, surely did 

not 

look like God was paying attention to His Promises

This is a hard thing even today. To think about God being asleep? Uncaring?





The Exodus is everyone's story.


500 years.

The History Channel did a Documentary on the Exodus and says some of the Plagues we can see from the air took place. About five or ten years ago.

When you read the history of Egypt and look at the biblical dates, this is very close to the 500 years we see changes in World History. 






1500 B.C.

The Tax Records today read that Joseph is here during the reign of Thutmose III, the 18th Dynasty. New Kingdom.  This is the Zenith of Egypt. As believers are we surprised  when Joseph spoke with God?

Thutmose III

(Building was going on in massive scales.  Names, like those in Jeremiah 39, point out are changed to look all part of the team. And Jeremiah records the name of the Pharaoh he dealt with. Moses AND the Pharaoh decline to name each other in History. Setti II records Mose  - problems with his brother. Salt Papyrus 125, British Museum, very clear to read.)

The Scriptures have lived in all generations. To be studied and held in great honor to explain life, the Father Creator of All, and in this understanding to have meaningful Life.

Amenhotep III Statue

Mark 1 

Egyptian Topographical Lists of Cities and Records

Names	Tuthmosis III (1481 BC)	Amenhotep II (1440)	Amenhotep III (1386)	Seti I (1291)	Ramses II (1275)
Jacob-El	yes				yes
Joseph-El	yes		yes
Asher			yes	yes	yes
Yahweh			yes		yes
Shasu		yes	yes	yes	yes
Hapiru		yes		yes

See ANET, 242-3.

1. In Ramses II's topographical list (ca.1275 BC) the place-name "Jacob-El" (#9) appears again (ANET 1969, 242; Simons 1937). The first appearance was in Thutmose III's list. This means that this city of Jacob has been around for two hundred years. Another interesting name that was found is yhw which is "Yahweh" in Hebrew (Horn 1953, 201; Giveon 1964, 244).
2. It seems abundantly clear from all these topographical lists concerning Canaan that the Hebrews were in Canaan at this time, but they did not use the name "Israel" until there league of tribes was well formed by the time of Merneptah.

3. On a statue-base of Amenhotep III at Kom el Hetan which is the funerary temple of Amenhotep III there is a topographical list with the place-name Yspir (Series a:1; Kitchen 1965, 2). This is the same name translated "Joseph-El" in Thutmose III's Topographical list (ANET 1969, 242). After Yspir in both lists the place-name Rkd appears (Series a:2 in Amenhotep III's list, and #79 in Thutmose III's list; Simons 1937, 112). Rkd is the same place-name as Ruhizzi in the El Amarna letters (EA 53:36, 56; EA 5426; EA 56:26; EA 191:2; Rainey 1982, 354). The ruler of Ruhizzi is Arsawuya who seems to be located in northern Palestine or southern Syria (EA 53:36, 56; Moran, 125
   

In the New Kingdom -  The Glorious Years of Egypt - Monotheistic God Worship.

Akhenaten is 4 Pharaohs after Thutmose III and the 5th Pharaoh is one God alone, too. They change the Egyptian culture to Monotheistic God of the Sun. Like Joseph. Perhaps they have seen the Power of the God of Gods in the Exodus as part of their childhoods and recent history.

However, the 6th Pharaoh - King Tut changes this to polytheistic and dies of a wound to the leg in his teenage years. This loss is very available for us to learn about - this is today's history.  


1200 B.C.

Seti II and Moses

Troubles are documented and various accusations occur during the short reign of Seti II. Clearly Thebes was going through very troubled times. There are references elsewhere to 'war' occurred during these years and is obscure to what. Neferhotep had complained of Paneb's attacks on himself to the vizier Amenmose, presumably a predecessor of Pra'emhab, whereupon Amenmose had punished Paneb. This trouble-maker had then brought a complaint before 'Mose' (i.e., 'Msy'), who acted to remove Pra'emhab from his office. Evidently this 'Mose' must have been a person of the highest importance.

Seti II expanded the copper mining at Timna Valley in Edom, building an important temple to Hathor, the cow goddess, in the region. It was abandoned in the late Bronze Age collapse, where a part of the temple seems to have been used by Midianite nomads, linked to the worship of a bronze serpent discovered in the area.

An important papyri date from the reign of Seti II. The Tale of Two Brothers, a fabulous story of troubles within a family on the death of their father, which may have been intended in part as political satire on the situation of the two half brothers.

Salt Papyrus 124

Obscure Pharaoh Seti II of the 19th Dynasty, had an ongoing complaint with his half-brother. Called Amennakht - this led to a famous document called "A Tale of Two Brothers."  (Which is Entirely a Different Document than Salt Papyrus 124.) This Papyrus is showing this conflict was so severe, interrupted the reign of Seti II. Seti II died after 6 years of his reign, suddenly. He had children, yet no mention is made of his children. His spouse is set up as the new Pharaoh upon his untimely death. Amennakht is also referred to as "MSY" and Mose.  The charges are extremely broad, from ordering his men to do work for his personal benefit to murder.

Carved cuneiform has been found recently where the Children of Exodus lived during the 40 years of Exodus. Moses as a Prince of Egypt in Salt Papyrus 124 in the British Museum tells us about the Two Brothers known in Egyptian History of Pharaoh Seti II. The complaint the Pharaoh has is against 'Mose'.

 
1000 B.C.
 
500 years later the glories end - The New Kingdom is ushered out about with Ramses III. The Third Intermediate Period (1077–732 BC) marked the end of the New Kingdom after the collapse of the Egyptian Empire.  Ramses III fought an unidentified people and the treasury of Egypt is Gone. The Sea People. This Ramses III is viewed today as a mummy. Ramses III, had red hair, I've seen his mummy on display, and no teeth in old age. This is also today's history available to see after being in the ground for 3,000 years.

Ramses III

Ramses looses the treasury and fights with an unknown adversary? The Sea People?  The treasury is Broken. Ipuwer says the slaves are given everything and begged to leave.  The Egyptian army is broken by a strange set of weather of Tsunamis and Tornadoes ( the pillar of cloud Bible records). And Egypt is broken from the top wealth of the world forever. The women are left to get in boats to look for their fallen men of the army.








 


Now this is interesting, of course, but how will we relate to this?


Genesis 22:18 to Abraham

17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."


Abraham's sons are covered by the Blessing of Abraham. What they depart with was the earnings of 500 years. Baalam can see the Blessing of Abraham. His writings are still available, although he was corrupt.


Even during the years of slavery, the midwives cover the healthy birth of the Hebrew children. God protected the least of these children, the midwives are protected from Pharaoh. The blessing of Abraham.

"Foreigners go no further. " 

Even when the Children of Israel had revisionist History in Jeremiah 23, God was making plans for the Blessing of Abraham to pull them up again. And when they killed God,  Jesus said the Temple would be pulled down and we can see the massive stones display Jesus is correct today. God holds up His Promises.

II Kings 10:23

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth

 in riches and wisdom

And Father God gave the Light of God to save the world. Jesus adopted us into the Family of God. 

1 Corinthians 3

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple 

and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. 

For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

We all wonder how our lives fit into God's Holiness. The Exodus explains so many things. Dealing with people who do not have belief. Dealing with power structures we do not influence or change. God is explaining His direction and then His inclusion. God does not discount His works. He does not discount our need for justice and for His Works. God is astonishingly Just and astonishingly Inclusive showing us He is God. The Exodus is amazingly balanced. We speak today of separation of Church and state. God reveals and shows us nothing is outside His interest, His Plan, His Love. This is Good News for the people of God. God who is interested all people have a Hope and a Future. Our God makes our steps secure and we find our peace and rest in Him.

Abba, our Father,

For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

We pray to You, Father, for Your help.

You keep us in perfect peace whose mind stays on You because we trust  in You.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give us peace at all times in every way. 

The Lord be with us all.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Let us seek peace and pursue it.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord,

 make me dwell in safety.

Putting all of our cares upon the Lord Jesus Christ, 

for He makes our burdens light. 

We find rest for our soul.

Resting all our people, all our beloved, all of our cares in the Steadfast, 

reliable, determined, goodness 

and Love of Jesus. Amen.

Roads of Heaven

Yay Jesus

Matthew 16:17,18 ~ Jesus replied

 

Monday, January 2, 2023

“Monday Night Football” game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was suspended and they knelt to pray for God's Help and Mercy
For Damar Hamlin

Matthew 16:17,18

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! 

For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, 

but by My Father in heaven. 

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, 

and on this rock 

I will build My church, 

and 

the gates of Hades will not prevail 

against it.

RECAP:

“Monday Night Football” game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was suspended in the first quarter after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after a hit and was taken off the field by ambulance.

Hamlin, 24, received CPR on the field, according to ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” announcers. ESPN reporters described the sight of Bills players opening weeping as the team gathered on the field. About 23 minutes after Hamlin collapsed, Bills coach Sean McDermott and Bengals coach Zac Taylor conferred and called a temporary suspension of the game. 

Hamlin is a second-year NFL player and was in his second season with the Bills. He was transported to the nearest trauma center to Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. ESPN announcer Joe Buck prayed and reported that Hamlin’s mother was on hand for the game and accompanied him to the hospital.

The Rock is faith. 

Bitterness and Blessing

Naomi tells us she is bitter. Call her Mara, bitterness.

The Scriptures tell us of a word very similar to Mara, bitterness.

Genesis 22:14

 Abraham called the name of that place Mar-Yah Will Provide. As it is said to this day, "On Mar-Yah's mountain, it will be provided."

Genesis 28:15 

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, 

and I will bring you back to this land. 

I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

We have faced a substantial increase in heart attacks, but have not heard definitively why this increase has occurred, this was announced by life insurance companies who reported a 40% increase in deaths of the 35 to 60-year-old age.  Lots of conjecture. 

However, when this happened on National NFL Prime Time Football. Everyone stopped to Pray Diligently. And the USA felt better for this

1 Corinthians 1:8 

“He will also keep you firm to the end, 

so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

All this Prayer

and

How is Damar Hamlin? 

Hamlin’s release came five days after his doctors 

said the player was breathing on his own, walking, talking 

and 

showing no signs of neurological damage.

Hamlin is being watched over by his parents and “remains very upbeat and grateful for the support he’s received from his teammates and coaches, Bills Mafia and people from around the world.” 

That outpouring of support has led to Hamlin’s charitable foundation, Chasing M’s, raising nearly $9 million in donations.

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous 

on every occasion, 

so that through us your giving 

will produce thanksgiving to God.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Remarkable as Damar Hamlin’s recovery has been, the Buffalo Bills safety still faces a lengthy rehabilitation some three weeks after going into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati, his marketing representative told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

“Damar still requires oxygen and is having his heart monitored regularly to ensure there are no setbacks or after effects,” Jordon Rooney said. “Though he is able to visit the team’s facility, Damar is not in position to travel often, and requires additional rest to help his body heal.”

Rooney provided the update to emphasize Hamlin still faces hurdles giving perspective to comments made by Bills coach Sean McDermott, who on Wednesday said Hamlin has begun making regular visits to the team’s facility. 

2 Corinthians 1:11 

You also must help us by prayer, 

so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing 

granted us 

through the prayers of many.

Romans 15:30

Now I urge you, brothers, 

by our Lord Jesus Christ 

and by the love of the Spirit, 

to join me in my struggle 

by praying to God for me.

Philippians 1:6 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you 

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 11:14 

For lack of guidance a nation falls, 

but victory is won through many advisers.

Abba, Father,

You, Our Father, has loved us so much that 

we are called children of God. 

And we really are His Children!

John, Your Beloved Disciple calls You, "God of Love." 

 The willingness to do the right action even at a cost. 

Knowing You are giving more than what  would have been done for you.

 Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. 

Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. 

Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.

Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.

Paul calls You, "God of encouragement!"

Comfort, delight, elation, glee,

 humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, 

gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, 

rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.

We pray rightly over Christians

Please You Bless us and Keep us,
Make Your Face Joyfully Shine upon us,
Be Gracious to Damar and your children!

May we Lift up Your Face to Smile upon us.
Cover us in Your Peace, the Very Peace of You, Our God, Knowing Your
Willing Plan for a Hope and Future.

To place the Name of Jesus in our souls. Jesus before us,
Jesus behind us, Jesus Living Water pouring and flowing surround us and those we Love. Help us to Seek You First. Dwell with us.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

Help us to have more Heaven upon earth, please Jesus,

pray with us and hear our prayer.

The Blessing of Jesus upon Damar

and upon us, we pray. 

For all the Times You've 

Helped Thank You.

Alleluia and Amen in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus