Posts Tagged ‘ Tarshish ’

Genesis Chapter 10: Generations of Noah, Nimrod The Mighty Hunter

Jan 11th, 2010 | By | Category: Genesis, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

Verse 5 describes conditions that existed after the Flood. Some of these names appeared in Ezekiel chapter 38 and other places thousands of years later. In the meantime, a natural migration occurred. Verses 2-4 merely show the origin of such individuals—that they were of Japheth. Generally speaking, Japheth’s children went north and west, and Shem’s and Ham’s offspring migrated in other directions.

Nimrod was “a mighty hunter before the LORD [Jehovah].” “Before the LORD” signifies that reverence belonging to Jehovah was going to Nimrod. His influence was such that those who esteemed him regarded him above Jehovah. Nimrod became an idol because of his prowess in hunting. Probably he had a good physical build too.

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Jonah Chapter 4: Jonah is angry, God’s Mercy

Oct 28th, 2009 | By | Category: Jonah, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

“But it [God’s not carrying out the judgment] displeased Jonah exceedingly.” One reason Jonah fled to Tarshish was that he felt God would repent and spare Nineveh, and to not destroy the city would make him appear foolish. Also, Jonah did not want God to deal with Israel’s enemies. One lesson for us as we consider Jonah’s actions is that we should question our own motives, not God’s.

Being schooled under the Law as a favored nation that was to be kept separate and distinct from other peoples, many Jews had difficulty seeing God’s mercy. That prejudice was hard for them to overcome, and they needed a lot of convincing in one fashion or another. Those Jews who could accept the change were flexible enough to realize that God has this prerogative. The Apostle Paul gave a sermon on this subject, showing that it is God’s prerogative to have mercy on whom He will have mercy (Rom. 9:15).

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The Book of Jonah Chapter 1: Commission from the Lord, Running from the Lord

Oct 27th, 2009 | By | Category: Jonah, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

Chronologically, Jonah followed right after Obadiah’s prophecy, which was against Edom and showed God’s judgment against Gentile power. Jonah’s prophecy also came right after Obadiah’s prophecy in regard to its lesson. The Book of Jonah represents (1) some of Jesus’ experiences and (2) the thoughts of many Jews. The latter, whom God favored for so long, tended to overdraw the lesson of judgment and to feel self-righteous. The Jews did not want to think too kindly about the other powers, and they were nervous when they heard that God would help the Gentiles. Combined with Obadiah, the Book of Jonah is a balance of mercy against judgment. Incidentally, the nominal Church and even some of the true Church likewise need lessons on God’s mercy toward those not in covenant relationship with Him.

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Ezekiel Chapter 27 Destruction of Tyre

Jul 7th, 2009 | By | Category: Ezekiel, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

Like Chapter 26, this chapter is a prophecy of the destruction of the city of Tyre (or that power or government) because of past actions, particularly their attitude toward Israel in the 606 BC captivity. Ezekiel 27:1–25 is a word picture of the tremendous wealth of both Tyre and the papal system.

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Isaiah Chapter 66: Great Time of Trouble, Holy Remnant, Gog and Magog

Jun 24th, 2009 | By | Category: Isaiah, Psalm 83 and Gog & Magog, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

It would seem that this verse is not intended to be understood in either a figurative or a symbolic fashion but, rather, in a literal sense, for its meaning is suited to be grasped by the natural man—both Jew and Gentile. The background of verse 6 is described in greater detail in verses 15–18, and the climactic fulfillment is reached in verse 19. In other words, verse 19 refers to a particular sign God has set or determined in order to clearly and unequivocally convince all individuals on hand at the scene of action in the environs of “the city” of Jerusalem of the meaning and purpose of the representative gathering of all nations to that locale. What is that purpose? They are to witness (1) the defeat and destruction of the host of Gog and (2) the purging of natural Israel, leaving behind a Holy Remnant (Isa. 4:2–4).

Although three voices are noted in verse 6, in reality all of the voices are somewhat synonymous in occurrence, and all share a common causal factor. The voice of noise from the city refers to the tumult and outcries appertaining to Jacob’s Trouble, which will be centered in Jerusalem, and particularly to the various climactic judgments to be inflicted upon the host of Gog as well as the purging of Israel itself by the Lord (Isa. 4:4). The “voice from the temple” and the “voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies” should probably be considered in a literal sense to mean that God’s voice will thunder a rebuke from heaven above the Temple mount. Accompanied by a large visual manifestation of Christ’s crucifixion suffering on Golgotha Hill in AD 33, God’s voice will perhaps say, “This is my beloved Son. Hear ye him” (Zech. 12:10).

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Ezekiel Chapter 38 Gog and Magog

May 16th, 2009 | By | Category: Ezekiel, Psalm 83 and Gog & Magog, Verse by Verse --Studies led by Br. Frank Shallieu (Click on Book name)

God told Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, the chief prince of the multitudinous host that would come down against Israel. Ezekiel was facing north, signifying that, generally speaking, the peoples comprising the forces of Gog would come from that quarter. Gog is the leading character from the land of Magog, which is Russia. In the homeland of Russia are Meshech (an ancient name for Moscow) and Tubal (Tubalesque formerly, now Leningrad). Notice that the four names, all places in the Russian homeland, are grouped together: Gog, Magog, Meshech, and Tubal. In the USSR, an abbreviation for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (plural), are some discontented republics who want their autonomy. [Note: As of June 1999, there are still republics, even though the union no longer formally exists.]

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