Foreskins, the Bloody Bride Price

On By TimIn 1 Samuel 18, RedemptionLeave a comment

Saul said, “Thus will you say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Now the days had not expired; therefore David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins and they gave them in full to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.

1 Samuel 18:25–27

This is just downright weird. Why is this in the Bible?

I get that Saul was working on an intrigue to have David destroyed. Certainly, getting the foreskins within a time limit would put David in extreme danger. 100 foreskins would require the death of 100 Philistines. They would then serve as proof of David killing those enemies of the king and allow David to be a part of the royal house. Philistines were uncircumcised and would serve as a certain sign of who had been killed. It would also humiliate them. Think about it: instead of carrying 100 heads, this was much more efficient. Though nothing is written of how these trophies were carried back to Saul, carrying the foreskins could have made it a public spectacle. Nevertheless, the Philistines would know what had been done to their fallen. But I get ahead.

Knowing the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser… When it comes to the Bible, if it is weird, it is important.

David brings back twice the required payment to acquire Michal as his bride. This had to upset Saul, as David did not fail. But then, that is my impression.

Who is the Bride of Jesus?

This whole account prefigures specific things about Jesus. The foreskins are figurative of a blood price because the Philistines would have had to die for David to acquire them. This dowry necessitated a purchase to be made with bloodshed.

Now, this is a bit controversial. The idea of Jesus taking a bride is real; the question comes to the identity of that bride. Much is inferred from multiple places.

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He shall be called the God of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:5

Redemption of Israel comes with the language of betrothal. Betrothal is a covenant pledge and a legal seal. Once the bride price is satisfied, the bride is consecrated; that is, she is set apart exclusively for the groom.

I will take you for My wife forever. I will take you for My wife in righteousness and in justice, in mercy and in compassion. I will take you for My wife in faithfulness, and you will know the Lord.

Hosea 2:19–20

Jehovah promises betrothal to Israel. What of the church?

Paul used betrothal language coupled with redemption as the pattern that the Tanakh holds.

I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly. Indeed, bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:1–2

Paul tells the Corinthian church that they were bought with a price.

You were bought at a price. Do not be the servants of men.

1 Corinthians 7:23

What is That Price?

For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain way of life inherited from your fathers with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:18–19

I think that is more than sufficient evidence to determine that Jesus gave Himself as the bride price. It was His blood. Like David paid a blood price to set aside his betrothed… What does that make you and me if not betrothed?

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:28

The important thing to note is Jesus purchased a bride with His blood. Just as David did.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27

I think I have satisfied any question as to the identity of the bride of Christ. As well as the dowry set.

But Why 200 foreskins?

To answer this, one needs a copy of 1 Enoch. (Find an online version here.) In it, there is a clear reference to the number 200. Like David’s father-in-law Saul who had enemies, 200 refers to enemies of God.

And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: ‘Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.’ And Semjaza, who was their leader, said unto them: ‘I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a great sin.’ And they all answered him and said: ‘Let us all swear an oath, and all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.’ Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And these are the names of their leaders: Samlazaz, their leader, Araklba, Rameel, Kokablel, Tamlel, Ramlel, Danel, Ezeqeel, Baraqijal, Asael, Armaros, Batarel, Ananel, Zaqiel, Samsapeel, Satarel, Turel, Jomjael, Sariel. These are their chiefs of tens.

Enoch 6:1–8

Note that this has a parallel passage in Genesis 6. This provides a bit more detail and would have been a familiar theme to Israeli folk of the time. This is the account of the giants. The gods came down to live with man. This was the fabled Golden Age. (Yes, they are trying to revive that Golden Age; that’s why it is in today’s political speeches.)

They Are Numbered.

And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon.

Enoch 6:6

Asd to the fallen realm, Enoch names names and numbers them. Now things turn a bit more macabre.

And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another’s flesh, and drink the blood. Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.

Enoch 7:1–6

Some Golden Age this is. Angels seeking strange flesh with humans and doing that which was not ordained by God. Yes, the detestable crime was sexual and produced progeny. The writers of your Bible were very familiar with the book of Enoch.

Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities in like manner, gave themselves to immorality and went after different flesh, they serve as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 1:6–7

Be careful how you work forward to the future. There’s really nothing new under the sun.

As Enoch retells, these were heavenly beings that fell in a very specific way. They perpetrated a unique kind of evil on humanity. Could David’s trophy collection of 200 foreskins indicate that Jesus destroyed even these?

Let’s make one more stop…

I have said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you,
but you all shall die like men,
and fall like a man, O princes.”

Psalm 82:6–7

Something far deeper in this psalm. The “gods” here are most likely not human judges. Human judges die, like all men. This is obviously a judgment on spiritual beings that do not die like men, but God consigns them to death. Judgment looms for these fallen ones; is that why they tremble even though they believe in Jesus?

Perhaps. Look at what Paul tells us of what was accomplished at the cross.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13–15

You were bought with more than just sufficient blood price… Exceeding the demand.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30

Having disarmed authorities and powers… Making a public show of them. Just as David did to the Philistines by taking their foreskins… 200 of them.

Does the Church Fulfill the Promises to Israel?

On By TimIn Church, Israel, Psalm 105Leave a comment

O offspring of Abraham, His servant,
O children of Jacob, His chosen ones.

Psalm 105:6

Supersessionism cannot be true. I know that is going to irk some. Yes… The New Testament does call believers as the seed of Abraham… And the seed of Isaac. But it never calls all believers the seed of Jacob it Israel.

It is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel, nor are they all children because they are descendants of Abraham, but “In Isaac shall your descendants be called.” So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is the word of promise, “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”  Romans 9:6–9

Psalm 105:6

Descendants of Jacob also descend from Isaac and Abraham. But not all who call Abraham and Isaac as fathers can call Jacob the same. Just as Jewish folk descend from Judah who came from Jacob.

Gentiles are not the children of Jacob, physically nor spiritually. This is important to grasp. Jacob is called Israel by God… Abraham is not Israel, nor is Isaac.

I am going to split hairs even further… The term Jewish derives from Judah and is not synonymous with Israel. Judah is a son of Israel, and Jewish people are a subset of Israelis. Not all Israelis are Jewish.

The Psalmist helps us to grasp this very important point.

He remembers His covenant forever,
the word that He commanded, to a thousand generations,
that covenant He made with Abraham,
and His oath to Isaac,
and confirmed to Jacob as a decree,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.” Psalm 105:8–11

Psalm 105:6

The promise was made to Abraham. But not all of his descendants inherited Canaan. The promise was extended to Isaac. But not all of the descendants of Isaac inherit the Land. The promise was confirmed to Jacob. Only those from Jacob inherit the Land.

Again, this means that not all of the descendants of Abraham are Israeli. Nor are all of the progeny of Isaac. Only Israelis are descended from Jacob.

What does that mean?

Well… There is yet a future for Israel. Because the promises to Jacob have not yet been fulfilled. And the universal church does not qualify to fulfill them. As the Psalm rightly declares, the inheritance of Israel is the land.

Understand, Christians are heirs of God, too. We are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. God’s inheritance is His people Israel. (See Deuteronomy 32:8–9.) A Christian’s inheritance is not earthly., either.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3–5

Psalm 105:6

There is a distinct purpose for the church, to prevail against the gates of Hell. Tuis is an offensive posture, meaning the enemy is defeated and we work to reclaim creation for God. If you are a Christian, rejoice that God wants you to work with Him in reaching the world.

The universal church does not supersede Israel. It does not replace Israel. The church is not “spiritual Israel.” It is not the fulfillment of Israel or their purpose. Even though no distinction exists between Jews and Greeks. Any can be saved and be a part of the Church, but that does not make one Jewish or Israeli.

The distinct purpose for the church is to go into the world and make disciples. There will be a time when that mission is complete. There will no longer be a need for the Gentile church. What happens then?

The time of grace through mercy is gone… And grace through judgment comes upon the whole world. Do not wait to get right with God, mercy is available now. Judgment comes swiftly… And there may be no respite from it as there is now.

Be Perfect

On By TimIn 2 Samuel 1, ExhortationLeave a comment

Second Samuel begins with a war worn refugee coming to David with news of what happened when Saul fought the Philistines. David asked for a report. The man said Israel had been defeated. David’s best friend Jonathan was dead, as was his father Saul.

The man spoke of all that occurred. Saul had been mortally wounded and asked to be dispatched by the man as the enemy was approaching. The man killed him. He removed Saul’s crown and armlet and brought them to David

All present rent their clothes to mourn. David inquired of the man’s origin. He was an Amalekite refugee. The account then takes a turn…

David said to him, “How is it that you did not fear raising your hand to destroy the anointed of the Lord?”

2 Samuel 1:14

Before the man could answer David called for the man’s execution. Though the act was merciful, it also demanded a blood price. The Tanakh is replete with the idea that the blood and ground cry out for justice when blood is spilled.

Yeah, that was way back in the days when fealty to the crown was part of righteousness. What can we learn?

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Romans 13:1–2

Wait… What? Resisting the government authorities comes with judgment?

Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil works. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from him, for he is the servant of God for your good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is the servant of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him who practices evil.

Romans 13:3–4

Remember, Paul wrote this under Roman rule. Romans were ruthless when it came to sedition. Contemporarily, for US citizens, we have the right to redress our grievances against governing authorities.

Listen, I hate politics. It is often a slanderous game of personal hatred. It is so common, many do not even balk at the grossness anymore. Instead of a marketplace on the merits of ideas, we have been taught to despise others in a created dilemma of this or that. It is designed to trap the mind. And for Christians, unwary participation can become a bit unseemly.

Many unwittingly join in the chorus of cursing politicians. That is, they vote for who they like or dislike… Not the ideas offered. Worse, many wear the dislike of these as some sort of merit badge. Listen, I do not care if you like someone or not… But you give yourself over to the dialectic. That dislike of any person clouds proper discernment.

Now I know that reading this, there may be names of politicians coming to mind. Some may even experience some profound emotions with that. And there is where the problem lies. Emotions tend to marginalize and even exclude clear thinking and proper discernment.

Selfishly, when one does not like someone, it becomes easy to dehumanize and marginalize them. Yes… It is selfish as a personal subjective experience. What happens is that the persons disliked become enemies. Ones that arise as figments of the mind.

Listen… As Christians, we do have real enemies. They are not humans and they are not imaginary. People are not ever to be enemies. At least we should not make them that. It is the antithesis of what is written that love is in 1 Corinthians 13.

This is a clear principle… Dislike leads to exclusion. Exclusion is persecution. What then, is the better stance?

Jesus tells us:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

Matthew 5:43–47

If one proudly telegraphs their dislike of people, are they not flagrantly rebelling against Jesus’ instructions?

Furthermore, what of the next requirement?

Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

Jesus is saying be perfect. No, this is not moral perfection. The instruction is to be mature. He is saying… GROW UP!

The wanton immaturity gap in Christian circles is startling.

Time is Indeed Relative

On By TimIn 1 Samuel 16, Faith, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from ruling over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself from among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1

When reading late at night, I marvel at the hidden treasures one finds in the Scriptures. In this case, there is a character lesson or two. God has already rejected Saul from being king. Yet, significant time will pass before it happens physically in our world. In the meantime, we are given a glimpse of David’s character compared with Saul’s.

For context, Saul was a Benjamite. If you read the Bible chronologically, you know the Benjamites were almost wiped out. It came to be from a situation that mirrors the account of Lot’s visitors in Sodom. The account in the book of Judges is often titled, A Levite and His Concubine. It happened in a city called Gibeah. Of course, it is easy to say the townsfolk were inhospitable to visitors.

The matter rightfully brought concern to all Israel. The tribe of Benjamin was allowed time to hand over the guilty to purge the evil from Israel. They refused. All of Israel set on Benjamin for justice. The tribe was almost wiped out, leaving only 600 Benjamites.

Saul was anointed king long after this tragedy. He was chosen by God to be Israel’s first king. This was a testament to the tribe’s restoration. It was Saul’s personal disobedience that eventually led to his rejection as king and his ill will toward David. Samuel was dejected for Israel, and God called him to task again: go anoint the king God has chosen for Himself.

Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
And the Lord;said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you will do. And you will anoint for Me him whom I tell to you.”
Samuel did that which the Lord spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come in peace?”
And he said, “I have come in peace to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab, and said, “Surely the anointed of the Lord is before Him.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:2–7

Jehovah is giving a character lesson about Himself to Samuel. The king would not have physical traits that make him king, but inward spiritual traits that excel. I would offer that the spiritual character transcends time and space.

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” So Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all your young men?”
And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is shepherding the flock.”
Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy with beautiful eyes and a good appearance.
And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came on David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:8–13

Jesse brings all of his worthy sons before Samuel. None are chosen by God. There remains the youngest… The runt, so to speak. The shepherd who would be the warrior. Yet it would be years before David is crowned as king.

This also serves as a glimpse into the reality outside of our time and space. In the beginning, the first words of Genesis tell us that time begins with God. He does not exist in it, nor is He contained by it. A move made in eternity is not always immediately a physical reality. Time passes for us.

This is why the Bible says Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We know that the wages of sin is death. God told Adam that in the day he disobeyed, he would die. Adam did not die, and no, he did not die spiritually. The death of Jesus is applied even to Adam’s sin. Adam did not suffer the wages of sin. God sought him and covered him.

The spiritual reality is that our physical existence is a subset of eternity. What does that mean for us?

When we pray, we may not see the answers right away. It’s not because God is slow… Rest assured, He is not. But there is a bigger panorama, and prayer is answered properly.

It takes faith to pray. First, that He hears our prayers. He does.

Second, He answers our prayers. We may have to exercise patience, endurance, and faith in the meantime.

Third, we get a great lesson on character differences that make one a person after God’s own heart.” We learn that faith which leads to obedience pleases God.

We get stuck mourning like Samuel. His work was not complete, and neither is ours until God calls us home.

Patient faith… One must trust God first.

What Are They Among so Many?

On By TimIn John 06, Thankfulness1 Comment

Listen… Well, you cannot because you are reading. So read!

I recently heard the testimony of a young man named Gabe Poirot. What he said in one portion of it is so profound. It is an often-overlooked Biblical principle that is taught from the beginning. So here it goes.

After these things, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a great crowd followed Him, because they saw His signs which He did for the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountain, and He sat there with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.

John 6:1-4

Now, I know most of us have heard this taught and read it for ourselves. The account John gives has a great multitude of people who follow Jesus into the wilderness. Yes, Passover is near, but it is not the timing.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?” He said this to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

John 6:5-6

There is nothing wasted in the Scriptures. Every detail and nuance is there by design. Jesus challenges Philip with a question. Jesus knew what He was going to do, but He was going to teach a profound lesson in what He does. Philip has an answer.

 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for each of them to receive but a little.”

John 6:7

Two hundred denarii is the typical wage a worker earns in 200 days. That is a lot of money. Of which the end result would not accomplish much. In the way John writes, there is an immediate counterpoint. A way out of the seeming predicament. One that a TV hero, MacGyver, knew to focus on when up against the proverbial wall.

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fish. But what are they among so many?”

John 6:8-9

They had a boy’s lunch. But that was so insufficient to feed so many. So what does Jesus do?

Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, numbering about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; and likewise, they distributed the fish, as much as they wanted.

John 6:10-11

What is the difference?

Well, when Jesus asked Philip, his immediate response was to focus on what they did not have. Andrew drew attention to what they did have, which seemed so insignificant given the circumstances. Yet Jesus focused on what they did have. And He thanked the Father for what they did have, feeding thousands of people with so little.

The principle that is being exposed is that the enemy always tends to draw our focus onto what we do not have. Consider the Ten Commandments; the last commandment is “Do not covet.” In a way, that commandment is the foundation on which the others rest. When we focus on what we do not have, it leads to dissipation and failure. One can keep all of the commandments by not coveting and just being thankful for what we have.

I will tell you that all of our problems started with this one trick…

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit from the trees of the garden; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You will not eat of it, nor will you touch it, or else you will die.’ ”
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Genesis 3:1-7

The serpent drew Eve’s attention away from all of the provisions that she did have from God, which were overwhelmingly abundant… To the one thing not given by God for food. She was not even in a predicament. Her focus was moved.

Likewise, for us, we tend to focus on the wrong things… If only I had more of this or that, I could do great things. Jesus is showing how wrong that kind of thinking really is. MacGyver always looked for what he did have to save the day, just as Jesus silently taught. I know that I am going to try and focus on the things I have right now, and thank the Father profusely for them. Every circumstance is an opportunity to do great things.

The other lesson…

When they were filled, He told His disciples, “Collect the fragments that remain, that nothing may be lost.” So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:12-13

There were leftovers! What God gives is always way more than enough than what you do not have.

Oft Misused Scripture: Abide in Me

On By TimIn Fruitfulness, John 15Leave a comment

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean through the word which I have spoken to you. (

John 15:1–3

It hardly ever surprises me that this portion of the Scriptures is often used in a misleading way. I know. This was taught to me as a way to elicit fear and guilt. It was not until I started praying to God and reading the Bible on my own that clarity came. As to reading, it was really waiting for God’s instruction.

Let me tell you, this text has nothing to do with salvation. Well, except for verse 3 above, where Jesus declares His followers as already clean. Meaning they are already believers, and do not have to fear that their salvation can be lost, manipulated, forsaken, or even abandoned. That’s not in this text anywhere at all.

This text has everything to do with being useful for the Kingdom and producing fruit. Some folks produce much fruit, others struggle to do so. Yet, the only way to bear fruit is to be connected to the Vine. Which means that one must be serious about maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus.

One cannot bear fruit without knowing Him and He knowing them. It is two-way. Yeah, we are called to salvation and to bear fruit. To do both requires faith. It means letting the Vinedresser have His way.

Bearing fruit is not good works, either. Well, not in the sense that most grasp. It is duplicating oneself. That is duplicating oneself, discipling others in such a way as to ensure the fruit ripens. It begins with soul-winning, as the fundamentalists say. It is discipling others so that they may be saved and connected to the Vine. This is the place where they will bear the fruit the Vinedresser wants.

Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you remain in Me.

John 15:4

The exhortation is to remain in Jesus. It is not a quid pro quo agreement. He remains in us forever, that is the promise He gave with the Holy Spirit. The exhortation is for each of us to reciprocate what He does. It is not a warning to keep believing so you can keep your salvation. He is in you, and He is not ever leaving. So, He wants people to be fruitful!

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

That is self-explanatory. It is a repetition of the truth Jesus wishes to convey to all. Remain in Him to bear much fruit.

If a man does not remain in Me, he is thrown out as a branch and withers. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:6–8

The Vinedresser is responsible for dressing the branches to bear maximum fruit. Sometimes, there’s trimming. Other times, the branch doesn’t bear fruit, and tragically, it is removed.

Fruitless branches are removed and dry up, having no nourishment from the Vine. They are then gathered and burned. That’s not a metaphor for losing salvation. Being burned up is not an analog to Hell or perdition. It is removing them from the place of fruit-bearing, never to be able to go back. This physical life is the only place where each person can bear fruit. When a branch is removed, that’s symbolic of physical death. The burning of the branches finalizes the idea that they won’t come back.

The encouragement to remain comes with another promise. As one matures with Jesus, they will ask for things that are commensurate with His will, and those desires will be granted.

“As the Father loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have spoken these things to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:9–11

This is not burdensome. Jesus wants you to have a full life. A full life is not pursuing personal programs, but His, as they become personal in us. This is the pursuit for all of us to learn what our Father wants, and then pursue that. It is the place of rest and joy.

This is My commandment: that you love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:12

This is a simple command. One that John will reiterate through his writings. Jesus set the example to follow.

Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. I no longer call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I have heard from My Father have I made known to you.

John 15:13–15

Do you want to know something?

Jesus laid down His life for His friends. In other places in the Bible, it says that Jesus died for all of humanity. That is not just a one-off declaration. Jesus is the atonement (meaning satisfaction of debt) for the sins of the whole world. So, if you are human, He died for you and considers you a friend. I think that is awesome.

A friendship is reciprocal. Which means you have responsibilities. Jesus said to do His commands. He said you must first believe to become a new creation and be born again. A new creation moves us from being just servants to Jesus, but friends with Him.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that the Father may give you whatever you ask Him in My name. This I command you: that you love one another.

John 15:16–17

This part of the text can be confusing without thinking through the context. Jesus is speaking with His chosen twelve disciples. This is primarily to, for, and about them. In the greater scheme, some of these things apply to all believers. When Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” That is specifically addressed to His immediate audience. They were the chosen twelve. He chose them for purpose, not salvation. The purpose is to go and bear fruit.

The Father gives what they would ask of Him. That does extend to us, as we tend to deny the spiritual reality of our warfare. We all need help every day, just as His twelve did.

And the hard thing… To love one another. This is the primary identification for saints. Jesus is repeating to them as if to underscore the importance. I think that is the most often overlooked detail for people to know that we follow Jesus. It is not something done too well. This is especially true in social media. It needs emphasis.

 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34–35

In conclusion, it is the Vinedresser Who has that responsibility for dressing the vine. It amazes me how many self-appointed lords think they are the vinedressers and fruit inspectors. I will tell you that you have only One Vindresser.

The lesson is that the only way a believer may bear fruit is by remaining in Jesus. That’s not keeping oneself saved, nor doing good works to maintain salvation. One either has the gift of eternal life or they do not. There is no middle ground. There is no wavering back and forth. It is a One-Way door into the sheepfold.

Faith is a necessary part of life for the saint. It is not just for salvation, but for every single day. We have faith, believing in Jesus. It is Who He is and what He has accomplished that keeps us saved. One cannot bear good fruit without the constant nourishment from the Vine.

But many think of this backwards, that the branches on the vine are to generate their own nourishment by doing good things.

The important thing that John is teaching is not about behavior at all. It is remaining in a relationship with Jesus Christ… Not to stay saved, but to be pleasingly fruitful to the Father.

Israel Exists Today That All Things Shall be Fulfilled

On By TimIn Ezekiel 38, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

After many days you shall be called. In the latter years you shall come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel which had been always a waste. But its people were brought out of the nations, and they, all of them, are dwelling safely. You shall ascend and come like a storm; you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 38:8–9

You may have been tricked into believing that the modern nation of Israel has nothing to do with the Bible. You may think that it is not the same Israel that received the promises of God through the prophets. And those promises have transferred somehow to the church. (I hold very loosely onto the idea of a universal church, preferring the more precise body of Christ.) That text should upend that trickery. God has a purpose for the Israel that exists today.

After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:26

I will tell you that Israel is here to fulfill all things. Right now, there is a pause after the seven and sixty-two weeks. Messiah was cut off, and God set aside His dealings with Israel. That is the war of desolations, as Jewish people are spread throughout the nations and suffer persecution upon persecution. The desolation ends with the rebuilding of Israel as a nation.

They shall build the old ruins;
they shall raise up the former desolations,
and they shall repair the waste cities,
the desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:4

While the Bible details some instances of persecution before Jesus, the desolation for Israelis increased dramatically after the death of Jesus. It is just as the timeline in this wiki shows. The world now nears the end of this war of desolations. This is easily discerned by the establishment of the modern nation of Israel as Jewish folk migrate there amidst a cultural resurgence of anti-Zionism.

For any skeptic to speak credibly on Modern Israel, it is necessary to read, understand, and know Daniel 9:21–27.

As with Daniel, all prophets spoke the promises of God to the nation of Israel. It behooves one to know these were to, for, and about Israel. There would be judgment by diaspora or scattering among the Gentile nations. Many of them wrote of wrath and judgments coming on the nation of Israel. This alone ought to be one of those massive differences to show that the church did not supersede Israel.

Those prophecies of judgment also included God’s promises as the end of the age nears. That is to regather all of the tribes of Israel into the Promised Land. This will be by Jesus establishing one fold under Davidic rule. He will remove the infidels in the Land Himself, fulfilling the land covenant. Nevertheless, He will rule from David’s throne.

As people alive today, we witness the hand of God move. For over 80 years, Jewish people have been drawn to Israel. Whole families continue to relocate to live in Israel. This gathering signals that the end of the war of desolations is near. Yes, the Israel that exists today consists of those being gathered into the land. Just as the prophets told, this will be in unbelief.

Gather together, yes, gather together,
O shameless nation,
before the decree takes effect,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who carry out His judgment.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Zephaniah 2:1–3

In this passage, Israelis are encouraged to gather together and believe before judgment comes. What is inferred is that those who are gathered are being gathered in disbelief. And this is before the day of the Lord’s anger. That last phrase is a nod to Jacob’s Trouble, what most call The Tribulation. Israel is gathered together before that. Do note the veiled hint referenced, “perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” This is a hint to the rapture, of which I have written before.

It is established that Israel is regathered in unbelief. This was foretold before it happened. Then other texts signal that the end of the war of desolations is near. Here is one:

The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes the earth and forms the spirit of man within him: I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah, it is also against Jerusalem. And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it. On that day I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, “There is strength for us with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God.”
On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside in her place, the place of Jerusalem. The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will not eclipse Judah. On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem; and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day. And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going out before them. On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations who come out against Jerusalem.
And I will pour out on the house of David and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him as a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as that of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn with each family by itself: the family of the house of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by themselves, and their wives also by themselves; and all the families that remain, each by itself and their wives by themselves.

Zechariah 12:1–14

As Israel is regathered, the existence of the nation clearly troubles the entire world. That reality exists today. All one has to do is watch a nightly news broadcast to see the inundating tidal wave of antisemitism that is sweeping the United States. Yes, that was prophesied to happen, and it is. God does indeed know the beginning from the end.

Sadly, some of you may be around to witness what else is going to happen; though anyone may change that reality anytime they want to do so before it occurs, just by believing in Jesus. Yes, there is going to be a siege of Jerusalem. Yes, Israel will do the impossible and turn back the invaders. It will also be clear that it was God who did the real work in that.

Something happens to the people as they witness God move to save them. Israel comes to their senses on that day. They will mourn the God they pierced. The questions to ask, “When did (or really, does) Israel pierce Jehovah?”

For the ones paying attention, the Tanakh plainly declares that Jesus is Jehovah.

It has not occurred yet, so it must be in the future. This is sometimes hard to hear; the future of the world is Israeli in nature.

God judges Israel. God helps Israel. God blesses Israel. Israel turns to God. Israel mourns their actions. Israel is restored to all of the land promised… From the river to the sea. It is not Palestine, it is Israel.

Yes, they do reject Jesus Christ. Which was also prophesied. There was a famine that began with the ministry of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago.

The time is coming, says the Lord God,
when I will send a famine on the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They will wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they will run back and forth to seek the word of the Lord,
but they will not find it.

Amos 8:11–12

This famine in Israel of hearing the word of the Lord is nearing an end. The world is racing toward the inevitable war with invaders coming down from space. That is their narrative. The Bible student knows the reality.

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, with which He may strike the nations. “He shall rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of God the Almighty.

Revelation 19:11–15

We live in interesting times indeed.

Oft Misused Scripture: Abraham’s Seed

On By TimIn Galatians 03, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  Galatians 3:26–29

The Gospel of John opens with, among other things, the declaration of the right God has extended to those who believe.

Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:12–13

Sons of God are direct creations of God. Adam is correctly called the son of God. Angels are the sons of God. Since the resurrection of Jesus, believers are sons of God. They are new creations, born of the Holy Spirit. Hence, Paul addresses believers correctly in Galatians as sons of God, as New Testament believers are indeed sons of the Most High.

The fact of divine parentage has been around since the beginning. Jesus cited it to those who did not believe in His claims, “My Father and I are One.” They wanted to stone Him because He claimed to be God. Yes, Jesus claimed to be God. Much more than just being One of divine parentage. Hete is how He put it.

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? John 10:34–36

Divine parentage is limited to Adam and angels in the Tanakh. But Jesus opened that right to anyone who would apprehend eternal life and believe.

Being baptized into Christ is not water baptism. It is the baptism of the Spirit where believers put on Christ.

But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:  that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.  Ephesians 4:20–24

The new nature is a new creation of God, through His Spirit. This is the one baptism that saves.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Being new creations, there is no more division between Jew or goyim, slave or free, even male or female. It is unity in Jesus Christ, just as there is a Unity in the Godhead.

But here comes the twist… We are Abraham’s seed. This is the portion that is often misused. It has been part of many church bodies for centuries. Israel ceased to be a nation; one could see how that error could be easily embraced. May 14, 1948, changed that.

Being Abraham’s seed is not being the New or True Israel. That is error. The $10 word for it is supersessionism; it is commonly called replacement or fulfillment theology. And it hangs on the misinterpretation of this verse.

Here is why it is wrong theology.

Abraham had his own children. One of whom is Isaac. God reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham to Isaac in Genesis 26. Isaac had two sons, Esau, the firstborn, and Jacob, his twin brother. God chose Jacob to have the blessing and reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac to Jacob. In Genesis 28 Jacob learns of this by dream. God then changes Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32. Finally, He reaffirms the covenant to Jacob (Israel) in Genesis 35. This is the promise to Israel.

The Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will I give it and to your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and in your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed. Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”  Genesis 28:13–15

This should be full stop.

If believers are Abraham’s seed, they are not Jacob’s seed. The covenant promise went from Abraham to Isaac. It did not go to Ishmael. The covenant promise was extended by God from Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob, not Esau.

It does not go to the New Testament church, either. Not many of the saints are Jacob’s seed; they are Gentiles. Ishmael and Esau are Abraham’s seed; they are not part of the covenant promise, either. The covenant promise still remains with Israel. God has not extended it to anyone else. It is not superseded nor broken.

God’s promise to Abraham’s seed…

Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”  Genesis 22:18

Gentile believers are blessed because Jesus Christ came through the seed of Abraham, then Isaac, and then Israel. Faith in Jesus gives us eternal life and the power to become sons of God by new birth!

Believers are blessed and are heirs of Abraham through that Seed who is Jesus Christ. Believers are not Israel; they do not inherit God’s promises to Israel or even Abraham. Israel retains the everlasting land and dynasty of both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Neither of these has been fulfilled. And they will not until Jesus returns at the end of the age.

This is why Israel is such a most-contested issue for the world. It must not be so for Christianity. Yet, there is a real satanic spirit working in the world. Ignorance and deception that have overcome unbelievers have seduced some Christians. It is not prudent that other Christians have been steeped in fulfillment theologies and embrace the deception that modern Israel is not the nation of God’s blessing. Even though He promised Israel to gather them back!

Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” Genesis 28:15

Why would there be such demonic vitriol for modern Israel if it was not part of God’s plan?

There have been many historical mistreatments of Jewish people. Many of those had ultimate plans of annihilating the Jewish people completely. Most of my generation still remembers the horrors of the Holocaust. We know the evil of genocide through first-hand accounts. Though it is sadly becoming fashionable to deny or downplay what the National Socialists of Germany did. Yes, Naziism is socialism.

These antisemitic things are purely satanic. There is no other word for it. The endgame is to try to thwart these covenant promises by eliminating God’s people. If they were to succeed, it would ultimately result in stopping the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus does not come back until Israel… Yes, Israel and not a remnant of New Testament saints… Calls “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.” (That is in Luke 13:22–35.)

If Jesus does not come back, He does not fulfill either the Abrahamic or Davidic covenants. As if such a thing is even possible. Nevertheless, the enemy thinks he can and gathers as many as are willing to his side.

Being Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise means that believers share in Abraham’s faith and blessing. And the ultimate object of that is Jesus Christ. It does not mean that believers share in Israel’s national promises by inheritance. (Those God affirmed with and extended to Isaac and Jacob.)

New Testament saints receive the spiritual seed blessings according to the promise. These saints are not heirs to the promises themselves, but as the text precisely delineates… According to the promise.

Israel receives the earthly kingdom promises when Jesus returns. The nation itself is Jesus’ inheritance (see Deuteronomy 32:8-9.) New Testament saints inherit what Jesus inherits. Which means that there will then be One Shepherd and one sheepfold.

Esther, Purim, and Persia in 2026

On By TimIn Esther 3, The Bible1 Comment

The letters were sent by mounted couriers into all the king’s provinces to cause the destruction, slaughter, and annihilation of all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and even to plunder their possessions.

Esther 3:13

We occupy interesting times indeed. Something crossed my timeline mentioning the blood moon and the scuttlebutt with Iran.

If one is keen to these things… Blood moons (really lunar eclipses) tend to be taken as ominous portents. That is something to consider. As i write this, the next lunar eclipse occurs March 2-3 2026.

Now, the relatively common Jewish calendar shows that the thirteenth day of the twelfth month comes on March 2, 2026.

Is that significant?

Given Haman’s plot to annihilate Jewish folk in Persia, and that Persia is considered modern Iran… Maybe. It might be something to watch.

The entire account of Hadassah, most likely more familiar to all as Esther, is how she was at the right place for such a time as this. That is, to save God’s people from slaughter. When we read the Bible, pattern becomes apparent. And how I understand, pattern is often prophetic.

Could this be one?

Haman plotted, Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) discovered the plot. The king learned of Haman’s plot Providence led Haman to be executed, but the plot Haman set forth was still a lawful edict that could not be undone by law.

This lends itself to a macro-level view of the problem of sin, and how Jesus needed to die, but I leave that for another time. There are other things I have covered from Esther that may help the reader understand the types and shadows.

Nevertheless, Esther is the hero by sacrificing herself to enter the king’s presence without invitation. To do so could mean death. As queen, she put herself at the mercy of the king. The king accepted her bold move by extending his golden scepter. (Another type and shadow of Jesus.) He asks why she needed his attention, and she revealed her Israeli ethnicity and the plot against her people.

I cut short on the intrigue. The king issued a new edict…

What the king granted to the Jews in each and every city was the right to assemble and to defend their lives by annihilating, slaying, and destroying any army of any people or any province that would assault them, the little children and women included, and to plunder their possessions. This would happen on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (which is the month Adar).

Esther 8:11–12

The same scheduled day of their annihilation became their day of forestalling that genocidal atrocity. It is celebrated at this time every year as Purim.

But back to our modern reality. I am writing this on the last day of February 2026. We woke up to news of Israel and the United States going to war with Iran. A blood moon comes on the same day thirteenth day of the twelfth month.

My question is, was that first Purim a pattern that would be repeated?

Let’s see how it plays out.

Wash in the Pool of Siloam

On By TimIn Jesus, John 09, SinLeave a comment

As Jesus passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. But it happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:1–5, MEV)

Our small group is working through the Gospel of John. As I have stated of late, massive dividends abound in John if one knows a bit of the Tanakh.

That said, I am certain most have read this account. So, let’s go!

The disciples set up the scene as a blind man walks past, they ask Jesus if his blindness stems from someone’s sin. The idea comes from the Jewish belief sickness that things like this came as a curse from sin. The proverbs say a curse is not without cause, and the Israelis considered sin a curse.

Of course, we know that all of creation suffers under the bondage of corruption that came from Adam’s sin. He introduced sin into his dominion. This is why the man is blind.

Suffering is not purposeless, though. Jesus gives a hint into something deeper, saying that the works of God would be displayed in the blind man. Already, it is easy to discern some word play afoot. One needs sight to see what is displayed.

The next point comes as an aside. Jesus says He must do the works, the translation literally means “us, it behooves” to do the works. There is a synergy present there. Yet I draw attention to phrase “of Him Who sent me.” Jesus is the Sent One, speaking of Himself that way many times already as John records. That is significant. Remember that.

The final thought reinforces the necessity of light needed to see and do work. Finally, Jesus declares He is the Light of the world.

When He had said this, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva. He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away and washed, and returned seeing.  John 9:6–7

In a simple gesture, which for some may be unsettling, Jesus spits on the ground. He makes clay and anoints the blind man’s eyes. He then instructs him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam.

Here… There is a translation crutch given, which hints at something that needs attention. The word Siloam is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word Shiloah. Shiloah means sent. Think sent waters. The Pool or Siloam was fed from the Gihon Spring by an aqueduct installed by King Hezekiah.

An important point that may be overlooked is that the naturally flowing waters from the spring to the pool would qualify it to be used as a mikveh. That is, a place for ritual bathing. A mikveh was used to make one ritually clean.

Shiloah may bring to mind another idea.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
until Shiloh comes;
and to him will be the obedience of the people.  Genesis 49:10

The Hebrew word Shiloah is similar to Shiloh. Yet they do not share the same root word, at least not directly. Shiloh brings the idea of peace. The words do not share the same etymology, though some seem to think they do. It would be difficult to connect the Pool of Siloam as a type and shadow of Jesus that way.

However, there is a clear connection with the idea of mikveh and Jesus. There is also the clear witness of Jesus as the One sent. Siloam means sent. The living water from the spring is sent to the pool.

What am I getting at?

Het out the Torah. Go back to the beginning… Well, shortly thereafter…

And to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’
Cursed is the ground on account of you;
in hard labor you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
you will eat bread
until you return to the ground,
because out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you will return.”  Genesis 3:17–19

The consequences of Adam’s sin resulted in the ground being cursed. It is the very dirt that Adam is made from that is cursed.

To put all of this together… Jesus spat on the cursed ground and used the clay He made to remove the curse of the man after instructing him to bathe in the sent water…the Living Water.

The former is what happened at the cross. Jesus demolished the curse of sin… Death. The latter cleanliness comes by His resurrection.