The Jews are still God's chosen ones

There seem to be many mind sets in the Christian world. The first seems to think that the Jewish people no longer have a place in God's plan and so they should be ignored. The second is those who think that studying the Jewish faith is an excellent way to better understand Christianity.  Others are called to reach out to their Jewish brothers and sisters, pray for them, and reach out to share Jesus with them.

For those who seem to think they Jewish people should be ignored, have not been reading the events which will lead up to the return of Christ. God is NOT done with his chosen people yet. The stage is even now being set for those end events to come to pass.

Those who believe understanding the Jewish faith as a better way to enrich their Christian walk - are totally correct. There are many passages in the New Testament that will come alive when the full richness of culture and faith are revealed.

Lastly, a huge huzzah for those who are reaching out and sharing Christ. God didn't intend for only Gentiles to have Christ, but for His people as well. Remember, Christianity started first with the Jews, then spread to the Gentiles and the rest of the world.

Keep praying for Israel. For those who support God's people will be blessed.

And keep an eye on the sky, listen for the trumpet and shout, and be ready, as events began to unfold for Christ's return.

Esther, a wonderful story

Recently I've been rewatching several movie versions of the Book of Esther. Each has their own jewels depending on how closely they're actually following the Biblical story and others fill in historic tidbits that help explain Haman's hatred of the Jews.

What is really striking about the films is court etiquette and how much Esther's life really was in danger. In 'One Night with the King' this is shown very clearly and the symbolism of her climbing the steps, like she would the temple, is a beautiful touch.

In an earlier version called simply 'Esther', they include the fact she sent clothes to her uncle when she heard he was in mourning, which he refused, and she did the three day fasting along with the other Jews before she went to the king.

The more recent movie, again called simply 'Esther', is a sweet story, but we miss much of the drama of what really was going on in Persia.

My reason for rewatching these films is not only is it one of my favorite Bible stories, but I am also working on my own series using some of the dramatic elements but set in another solar system.

Esther is a wonderful story showing the planning of God and putting a woman in a position to save her people. My only question is, what happened to the queen afterwards? 

Review - The Bible Miniseries Part 3

While the audience anticipated the continuation of the previous weeks story, instead of beginning with King Solomon, the story jumped ahead several hundred years. The prophet Jeremiah tells the current king that the city will fall to the Babylonian Ruler. Once again, the Jews are led into captivity and forced under the yoke of a foreign and pagan leader.

Once in Babylon, Daniel rises to power and interrupts the king's prophetic dream. The unfortunate part is that the entire dream was not covered, just the golden head. The audience got to see the familiar story of the three tossed into the inferno and rescued by an angel as well as Daniel in the lions den. It also showed how the king went insane.

In the end, they returned home. The best part of this segment was the beautiful customs. The worst part was the bloody violence, the killing of the Israelite king's sons and the hint of Jewish people eating each other during the siege.

Skip forward five hundred years to a small village in Galilee. Enter Mary and Joseph. While correctly shown they were each told by an angel about the events unfolding, incorrectly shown was 'where' they were informed.

The gross part of this segment was King Herod, particularly the leech scene, which could have been deleted and no one would have missed it.

Continue to the traditional birth scene with the shepherds, the three wise men and the huge star in the sky. Missed, the heavenly chorus in the fields.

Historically, and this has been proven, there were actually a number of planetary conjunctions and no huge bright star in the night sky. The Romans were very excited about it and thought it predicted their own current leader. Also, NO WHERE in the Bible does it say there were only three wise men. Three gifts, yes. It is more than likely, given the time, that there were a number of magi who traveled to see the new born king and huge caravan. Also, the Bible very clearly says Mary and Joseph were in a house. Not a stable.

Fast forward to John the Baptist. He's in the river and we have the famous scene depicted in the Bible. Missed, the dove descending and God saying, 'This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.'

Forty days in the desert, the temptation by the devil, which was beautifully done. What is missed here by most, even when they read it, is that Jesus really did have a choice. He knew what would happen to him and he could have said, 'No way.' Instead, he rebukes the evil one and begins his ministry.

Next scene, in the boat with Peter fishing, with so many fish the poor fishermen doesn't know what to do.