The Chosen is such a well-done series based on the Bible. Its creators aim to depict the lives of Jesus and his disciples in a way that’s true to the Bible and their culture.

If you haven’t seen The Chosen, click here to start watching!

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Ahimelech and the Showbread

The opening scene of this episode comes from 1 Samuel 21. I love how the creators of The Chosen tie the Old and New Testaments together! That’s how the Bible is – not two different parts – just one incredible story!

Ahimelech and his wife, Jafa, discuss the possibility that their oldest child won’t be able to be a priest due to what sounds like an injury. A man couldn’t serve in the Temple or the Tabernacle if he had any handicap, sore, congenital disability, etc. (Lev. 21). Ahimelech decided to train his other son to serve instead. 

While training Abiathar, Ahimelech gets a visit from King David. According to Leviticus 24:9, God said the showbread in the Temple and Tabernacle could only be eaten by the priests, but we see this command being broken to save the lives of David and his men. 

There is a concept in Judaism called pikuach nefesh, where saving a life takes higher priority than keeping a Commandment. Because humans are made in God’s image, the pikuach nefesh, meaning “watching over a soul,” allows for breaking a Law to save someone’s life. This principle teaches that, while we’re to obey God, we must not follow in an automated fashion but navigate the world and its numerous different situations with common sense and discernment from the Spirit. 

Jesus brought this concept up in Matthew 12:11 (and later in this episode) when he talked about rescuing a sheep from a pit on the Sabbath. Usually, sheep-keeping duties would be suspended on Shabbat, but his point was that no one would leave it there to suffer until the Sabbath ended, and you would use common sense and rescue it anyway.

Although this principle isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible, Jewish rabbis have concluded that this is okay with God because, in the story of David and his men eating the showbread, for example, God didn’t punish Ahimelech or David for them eating the bread. 

When Rahab hid the spies in her house in the Book of Joshua, she lied to keep them safe. Usually, lying would be wrong, but in this case, she was protecting God’s people and helping to further His kingdom. Her actions led to her and her family being rewarded with protection and even being listed in the genealogy of Jesus a couple thousand years later!

God made Laws for us to follow but doesn’t want us to become mindless robots in our obedience. He wants us to love the people around us and use the common sense and discernment He has given us in all situations.

The Showbread

I find the showbread an intriguing addition to God’s design for the Temple. Each week, the priest was to remove the bread from the previous week and place new, freshly made bread on the table of the showbread. The priests then ate the “old” bread. 

We know God doesn’t need us to bake bread to sustain Him, so why was fresh bread required, displayed on a table made just for that purpose, in the Temple each week? 

Like other things God has commanded us to do, there are lessons in the showbread. There are probably many more lessons, but the one I see clearly is that of God’s eternal provision and faithfulness. There were twelve loaves of showbread displayed each week. The twelve loaves represent the twelve tribes that descended from Jacob (Israel) – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Asher, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Thirteen are listed here – lists in the Bible differ on which twelve are included. 

God has miraculously cared for and protected His chosen people throughout history, even through the most horrific adversities. When they were wandering in the wilderness, God provided. They remain a nation even though they have been split apart and scattered all over the earth, and evil people throughout history have tried to extinguish them. The twelve loaves show that God is a faithful God. He can be trusted and knows what’s best for His people. 

Some trust in chariots

When Mary and Ramah talk about Mary Magdalene being missing, Mary says, “some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in Adonai our God.” This is a beautiful reminder from Psalm 20:7. 

While the rest of the world is being tossed on waves of emotion and stress of the world, we can be solid and focused because our trust doesn’t lie in the things and people around us. We know that, no matter what happens here on earth, God is in control, and He’s the ruler of the universe. Even more than that, we’re His people; he knows and cares for us personally! 

This verse is such wisdom from Mary’s character. As Believers, when we see the world’s problems begin to affect us, giving us anxiety and depression about our circumstances, we need to check to see if our trust has fallen away from our God and replace our focus where it belongs.

613 Laws

The Sons of Thunder, James and John, watched Simon the Zealot perform his morning exercises and commented that they couldn’t be Zealots because the 613 Laws were already too much for them.

They refer to the 613 commandments because that’s how many commandments were given in the Torah. Rabbis studied the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), looking for the times God told His people to do something. They found 613 times and concluded that there are 613 total commandments. The 613 includes the Ten Commandments, which summarize the other 603 commandments into ten more general statements. 

Many of these commandments cover how to run the Temple. Others say how we’re to treat others, such as Leviticus 19:18, which commands us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” And still others tell us how our relationship with God should be, as in Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  

The creators of The Chosen show the disciples bemoaning the commandments they must obey, but the Bible teaches us to have a good attitude about God’s Laws instead. Here are some things the Bible says about God’s Laws:

They are perfect: Psalms 19:7 (this verse will be quoted later in this episode by Shmuel in his conversation with Dunash), James 1:25

They’re not burdensome, and obeying them shows we love God: Deuteronomy 30:11, 1 John 5:1-5

They’re not just for Israel but for all people: Numbers 15:15-16 

They bring us freedom: Psalms 119:44-45, James 2:12

They are holy and good: Romans 7:12, 1 Timothy 1:8

They should be our delight: Psalms 1:2, 119:35, Proverbs 29:18, Romans 7:22

This list is just some of the positive things Scripture says about the Law, although there are many more! Now let’s look at what Jesus had to say about the Law.

 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:17-19, (NASB)

Here’s another quote from Jesus about the Commandments:

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

John 14:2, (NASB)

And yet another:

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:10, (NASB)

And one last quote from Jesus concerning the Law:

 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 19:16-17, (NASB)

It may seem like aiming to keep all 613 Laws in the Bible is confining and will bring a life of suffering, but the Bible tells us the opposite. Our God gave us a list of the best ways to live, and, as His people, we should embrace them and the blessings they bring to our lives.

And, while we’re on the subject of Laws, I’ll make clear that the commandments God gives show us how to live, but they do not save us. As we grow in faith closer to Him, we will continually align our lives with His ways and increase in obedience to Him. As we do this, the Spirit will convict us, and we will further embrace and learn to love the Laws He gave us out of His love for us. Through the process of maturing in faith, we will align our lives more and more with what God has in mind for us.

Not even half of a beitzah

Thomas surveyed the amount of food the disciples had and lamented that they didn’t “even have half a beitzah of flour.” The word “beitzah” means “egg” in Hebrew, but the measurement “beitzah” was an amount equivalent to the capacity occupied by one egg. Think about it. How much flour takes up the same amount of space as one egg? Not much! Thomas was right to be concerned – except they happened to be with Jesus, who ensures they’re well provided for!

The Son of Man

The two rabbis, Dunash and Shmuel, discussed the “sin” of Jesus, telling the former paralytic to carry his mat on Shabbat. Shmuel pointed out that Jesus had “invoked the title “Son of Man from the prophet Daniel.”

Here’s the verse Shmuel was referring to.

I kept looking in the night visions,

And behold, with the clouds of heaven

One like a Son of Man was coming,

And He came up to the Ancient of Days

And was presented before Him.

Daniel 7:13, (NASB)

Most Jewish and Christian sources say the Aramaic idiom “Son of Man” in this verse refers to the Messiah. The term “Son of Man” is also used throughout the book of Ezekiel and elsewhere in the Bible, where it’s used to describe humans. Saying they’re “Sons of Man” highlights the contrast between mere mortals and the Almighty God.

In response to Shmuel’s comment, Dunash says, “Yes, many have.” What does he mean that “many” have invoked the title “Son of Man”?

Josephus records the lives of other messiah-type figures who lived around the same time Jesus was on Earth. These other messiah figures may have been what the character Dunash was referring to. He may have also been referring to Ezekiel and others who called themselves “Son of man” in a non-messianic way.

Second witness

Further on in the conversation between Dunash and Shmuel, Dunash asked Shmuel about a second witness to confirm what happened at the Pool of Bethesda when Jesus told the paralytic to carry his mat.

A second witness wasn’t just a good way to confirm the validity of a testimony. It’s required in the Bible to convict someone. Leviticus 19:15 says that two witnesses must be present to convict someone. While a second witness could obviously still lie, this was to prevent most cases where a person could falsely accuse someone of a crime.

An Abandoned Woman

Shmuel brings up a devastating situation. When a woman was the sole witness to her husband’s death, she not only carried the grief of witnessing his death but had her life completely ruined afterward.

The law of the abandoned woman, the agunah, was another fence drawn around the Law by the Pharisees of the time. Because of the two-witness Law, they created this set of circumstances for a woman who was the only witness to her husband’s death. They tried their best to ensure that the Law was obeyed, but this situation would have put widows in a desperate situation, which is contrary to the Spirit of the Law. 

Law Reform

Dunash says, “These are the Laws that Shimon, like his father Hillel, is seeking to reform.” I discussed the differences between the houses of Shammai and Hillel in my article on Episode 5 of Season 2. These different viewpoints are why Yanni suggested they go to the house of Shammai with their case against Jesus. The house of Shammai was more rigid in adherence to the Law, and Hillel was known for adhering more to the spirit of the Law – a more liberal view. 

You can easily see which side of these Pharisaical arguments Jesus was on. He deeply respected God’s Law but didn’t hold the fences around the Law above God’s actual Law. He also seemed to have a more liberal perspective on the Law when it conflicted with preserving life, as in the example of David’s men eating the showbread. 

Shabbat Shalom

In the synagogue in the Wadi Kelt, Madai, the priest greets Lamech, the rabbi, with the words “Shabbat Shalom.” This is a standard greeting on the Sabbath. Saying “Shabbat Shalom” is wishing another person a “peaceful Sabbath.” 

I covered this greeting in my article on Episode 2 of Season 1 as well. The word Shalom encompasses even more than just peace. It’s a beautiful word that means peace, wholeness, completion, and more. Read 9 Hebrew Words to Bring You Closer to God for more on the word Shalom.   

Picking grain on Shabbat

The rabbi and priest were upset that Jesus and his disciples were picking grain on Shabbat. This story comes from the Books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are accused of breaking the law, but it doesn’t say in the Law (Torah) not to pick grain on the Sabbath. When Jesus was accused of breaking the law by picking grain on the Sabbath, he was accused of breaking a law made by people, not God.  

As I wrote in my articles on Episode 3 of this Season and Episode 8 of Season 1, not picking grain on the Sabbath was another “fence” built around the Law by the rabbis to prevent people from coming close to breaking one of God’s commands. While the fences may seem extreme, it’s a similar practice to when Christians abstain from alcohol. No command says not to drink alcohol. They don’t drink so that they and others aren’t led into the sin that could result from drinking.

Jotapota

The priest, Madai, suggests they bring their complaints about Jesus to the protestors at Jotapota since there will be important people there. 

Jotapota (Jotbathah) is listed in Numbers and Deuteronomy as one of the places the Israelites camped while wandering the wilderness. At the time of Jesus, it was an area where the Jewish people eventually fought the Romans and lost under devastating circumstances. Josephus recorded that over 40,000 Jewish people died, and over 1,000 women and children were taken into slavery!

And that brings us to the end of yet another great episode! Stay tuned for my article on Episode 7!

In another fantastic episode of The Chosen, we get a Hebrew lesson, the inside scoop on John the Baptist’s intent to confront Herod, and a glimpse of what a demon-possessed life may look like.

Haven’t seen it? Click here to watch!

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Mary’s Blessing

In some of my other articles on The Chosen, I’ve written about the many daily prayers in a practicing Jew’s life. They invite God into every aspect of their lives and acknowledge His blessing and provision throughout each day. 

As Mary is picking persimmons, she recites the following blessing.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, 

Who left out nothing in His world and created pleasant creations 

And good trees so that people can derive benefit from them.

In Hebrew, this blessing is:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, 

שֶׁלֹּא חִסַּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיוֹת טוֹבוֹת 

וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבִים לְהַנּוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם.

And it’s pronounced:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam, she’lo chisar b’olamo klum u’vara vo beri’ot tovot ve’ilanot tovim le’hanot bahem b’nei adam

Then she recites Psalm 139:8. This is the verse Phillip was teaching Matthew in Episode 3 of this season.

If I ascend to heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Psalm 139:8

Thousands Named Jesus 

When Jesse, the former paralytic, is being questioned by the Pharisees, Yanni, and Shmuel, he says that all he knows about Jesus is his name. Yanni comments, “There are a million Jews here for the festival, thousands named Jesus.”

We generally know who someone is referring to when they say “Jesus,” but it was a common name in Jesus’s time. The name Jesus is a variation on the Greek word for Jesus, Iésous (Ἰησοῦς, pronounced ee-ay-soos). 

His Hebrew name (what his family, disciples, and other Jews would have called him) exposes more meaning to his purpose here on earth. 

In Hebrew, it’s “Yehoshua” (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), which is the same name as “Joshua.” In Aramaic, it’s shorter – “Yeshua” (יֵשׁוּעַ). Both Aramaic and Hebrew would have been spoken when Jesus was on the earth, and both of these languages are in the original Old Testament texts. 

Yehoshua and Yeshua are both a contraction of two root words: Yahweh (יהוה) and “yasha” (יָשַׁע). Yasha means “to deliver,” so combining the two means “God delivers,” “God saves,” or “God is salvation.” This significance makes the angel’s announcement to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 even more meaningful. The angel says, “you are to give him the name Jesus [Yehoshua/Yeshua] because he will save [yosheea] people from their sins.” 

Jesus of Nazareth

When Shmuel says, “It was him! It was Jesus of Nazareth!” Jesse chuckles and questions, “Nazareth?”.

Scoffing at Nazateth is, again, as in previous episodes, a reference to people of that time questioning the messiah’s ability to come from a place like Nazareth. In John 1:46, Phillip tells Nathaniel about Jesus, and Nathaniel responds incredulously, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”. Nazareth was a little, no-name town, so people had a hard time believing their long-awaited messiah could come from such an insignificant place.  

Forbidden Miracles

When Atticus finds Jesse and questions him, Atticus says that Jesse probably wants to shout from the rooftops about what happened to him but implies he cannot because it’s “forbidden.” Why would such a wonderful thing be forbidden?

According to Jewish interpretation of some of the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5-6 and other verses), there are four types of miracles only the messiah could perform – healing congenital disabilities (blind, lame, etc.), casting out demons that were deaf and without speech, cleansing leprosy, and raising someone from the dead after more than three days.

In the Bible, the Pharisees were often there when Jesus performed miracles and objected to him doing so. They questioned the source of his healing power because they watched for the messiah to come and ensure that the people adhered to Jewish law.

Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? “If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Matthew 12:22-28 (NASB)

But Jesus did indeed heal with the power of God, and he used those healings as evidence that he was the messiah when John the Baptist sent word asking if he was. In responding this way, Jesus demonstrates that he fulfilled the messianic prophecies in Isaiah 35 and other places.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

Matthew 11:4-5 (NASB)

Morning Blessings

Simon the Zealot is saying a blessing which is a common blessing said in the morning. Called the Elohai Neshamah (the first two words of the blessing), it goes like this.

My God, the soul that you placed within me is pure. You created it, You formed it, You breathed it into me, and You preserve it within me. And in the future, You will take it from me and restore it in the Time to Come. All the time that this soul is within me, I am thankful before You, Adonai, my God and the God of my fathers, Ruler of all creation, Lord of all the souls. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who restores souls to dead bodies.

It’s traditionally said in Hebrew. In Hebrew, it’s:

אֱלֹהַי, נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה. אַתָּה בְרָאתָהּ, אַתָּה יְצַרְתָּהּ, אַתָּה נְפַחְתָּהּ בִּי, וְאַתָּה מְשַׁמְּרָהּ בְּקִרְבִּי, וְאַתָּה עָתִיד לִטְּלָהּ מִמֶּנִּי, וּלְהַחֲזִירָהּ בִּי לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָה בְּקִרְבִּי מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי. רִבּוֹן כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים אֲדוֹן כָּל הַנְּשָׁמוֹת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הַמַּחֲזִיר נְשָׁמוֹת לִפְגָרִים מֵתִים

It’s pronounced:

Elohai neshama shenatata bi t’horah hi. Ata b’ratah, atah y’tzartah, atah n’fachtah bi, v’ata m’shamrah b’kirbi v’atah atid litelah mimeni ulehachazirah bi leatid lavo. Kol z’man shehaneshaman b’kirbi modeh (or modah) ani lefaneicha, Adonai Elohai v’lohei avotai, Ribon kol hamasim, Adon kol haneshamot. Baruch atah Adonai, hamachazir neshamot lifgarim metim.

This blessing can be followed by a deep breathing pattern like Simon demonstrated in this scene. 

In Jewish tradition, a person’s soul leaves the body at night during sleep, then returns when they wake. Jesus recites another of the morning prayers, the Modeh Ani, in Season 2, Episode 1, which also addresses the concept of the soul returning to the body.  

Demon possessed man

Simon says to the demon-possessed man that a demon will go on and pass through the waterless places and find someone else.

The waterless place is an intriguing concept in the Bible. Two different Hebrew words are translated as “waterless” in English. One, found in Job 6:17, is זָרַב, which means “scorched,” and the other is אִין in Zechariah 9:11, which means “to be nothing” or “not to exist.” It’s unclear whether the waterless places mentioned here are referring to hell or another place, but wherever it is, it doesn’t sound pleasant! A place that’s scorched and doesn’t exist isn’t one I’d like to pass through!

Jesus mentions the waterless places in his teaching recorded in Matthew 12 and Luke 11. He says that when demons are cast out, they leave the person and travel through the waterless place, seeking rest and never finding it. So creepy!

Demon’s sense of smell

The demon-possessed man mentioned that he could smell Simon and, later, that he could also smell Jesus. Demons smelling Jesus isn’t recorded in the Bible, but demons are often reported to have a smell of sulfur. Biblically, sulfur is known as brimstone. When mentioned in the Bible, it’s related to the wicked and their punishment. 

Whether or not demons could smell Jesus, there does seem to be some scent that crosses the spiritual/physical barrier in the case of demon possession. 

At the end of the Feast

Simon says he hugged his brother at the end of the Feast. What Feast? The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot is what he’s referring to. Would you like to learn more about Sukkot? Read my article, Explaining The Chosen, Season 2, Episode 4, for an explanation. 

“Oy!”

Like I did at one time, you may think the expression “Oy!” is merely a Jewish form of “Oh my gosh!” but there’s more to this exclamation than that. 

When John the Baptist says, “Oy, the hassle of it all,” he’s using a Biblical expression. Found in Numbers 21:29, Psalm 120:5, Proverbs 23:29, and many other places, the word אוֹי (pronounced “Oy”) is a lamentation most commonly translated as “woe” or “woe to me!”.

Herod is marrying Herodias

Why did John the Baptist mention to Jesus and his followers that Herod was divorcing his wife to marry Herodias? Just to update them on the latest in celebrity drama? 

No. In this conversation, the writers of The Chosen are setting up the sad and unfair situation where John is martyred. This story is recorded in Matthew 14 and Mark 6. To summarize, King Herod Antipas, who was supposedly Jewish but sided with the Romans, divorced his wife to marry his sister-in-law.

However, it’s forbidden in the Law (Leviticus 18:16) to marry one’s brother’s wife while the brother is still living. As a Jewish king, Herod had a responsibility to follow the Law but chose not to, and when John called him out on this violation, Herod’s new wife, Herodias, wasn’t happy. At Herod’s birthday party, when her daughter was dancing before his guests, Herod was pleased with her dancing. He offered her whatever she wanted, up to half of his kingdom. Her mother told her to ask for John’s head on a platter. She did, and, unfortunately, that’s what she got. 

Later in this episode, John the Baptist says that Herod is afraid of him, but he is being honest, not prideful. Herod’s fear of John is Biblical, as reflected in the two chapters (Matt. 14 and Mark 6) that told the story of John’s beheading. This fear is why Herod didn’t just kill him in the first place, rather than waiting for the request from Herodias’s daughter.

John the Baptist also says later, speaking of Herod, “He might not be as bad as his father, but he’s still bad.” Herod Antipas came from a rough family. He and his brothers were tetrarchs in the areas controlled by the Romans. Their Jewish descent was questioned, but they seemingly only acted Jewish when it served them. Their father, Herod the Great, is known for the many buildings he built, including the remodeling and expansion of the Temple and Temple Mount. He’s also known for having Jewish infants murdered around the time of Jesus’s birth. He left some great historical architecture, but he was a bad man indeed!

Hebrew lessons

Mary is teaching Hebrew to Ramah in the next scene. They’re going over the second part of Paslm 7:1, “O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge…”. 

Mary points out that the “root” is “chet-samech-hey,” which looks like this: חסה. In Hebrew, there’s a three-letter root to almost every word that reveals its meaning. Added to the three-letter root are prefixes and suffixes to tell more about the word.

For example, the word they’re discussing is חָסִיתִי (cha-see-tee). Its root is חָסָה (cha-sah), which is a verb meaning “take refuge.” The letters added to the word change it into the first person singular form, making it “I sought refuge.” 

But Ramah comments that there’s no hey, and she’s correct. When a word ends in hey, and a suffix is added, the hey drops off, making it difficult to recognize the root word. That may be why Ramah is struggling with this word.

Words with the same root are similar in meaning, not just appearance. As Mary and Ramah continue to the next part of the verse, “from my pursuers and deliver me,” they skip over one root I think is very important. The word translated “save me” is הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי (ho-shee-ay-nee), which is from the root ישע. Another word we get from this root is Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), Jesus’s name, which I discussed above.  

The Elijah-ness of John’s role

Jesus says that they both know the “Elijah-ness” of John’s role. John the Baptist and Elijah have commonly been compared among Christians, but what are the similarities? There are many in the Bible. Both were desert-dwellers who dressed strangely and lived off of the land. Both were called to prophesy to Israel at a time they had turned from God, and both preached a message of repentance to the people and the leadership. To study many things these two have in common, read Twenty-five Similarities between Elijah and John the Baptist.   

Some believe that John was the “Elijah” sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. Luke 1:17 says that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. And Malachi 3:1 says, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple…”

But if these verses mean that John the Baptist is a resurrection of Elijah, someone didn’t tell the prophet himself. He denies being Elijah when asked.

They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

John 1:21 (NASB)

So, while John the Baptist did walk on earth with Elijah-ness, he wasn’t Elijah himself, and we can still look forward to Elijah returning to prepare the way for our messiah when he comes to rule his kingdom!

Prophecy and song

John the Baptist mentions his abba’s (dad’s) prophecy and Jesus’s eema’s (mom’s) song. In Luke chapter 1, Mary’s song and Zechariah’s prophecy tell of Jesus’s role as savior. John knows that what was said about him and Jesus is being fulfilled.  

Belial, spawn of Oriax

This demon’s name, Belial, is found throughout the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and once in the New. Belial is mentioned as a being but also as a concept – commonly translated as “worthless.” 

He’s the subject of much Jewish and Christian thought and has been proposed to be Satan’s right-hand demon or even his predecessor. Oriax, Belial’s supposed father, is a notorious demon from extrabiblical sources. 

“Nicodemus has influence, but he’s not Caiaphas”

Shmuel says the above vehemently as they leave after attempting to make amendments to the case against Jesus. 

In John 3, Nicodemus is called a “ruler of the Jews.” Because of this and the Sanhedrin authority he had to at least somewhat defend Jesus in John 7; he’s thought to have been a Pharisee of very high standing. Jesus also refers to him as “the teacher of Israel.” 

On the other hand, Caiaphas was the high priest, so he ranked above Nicodemus. He’s the one who would eventually bring the charge of blasphemy against Jesus, and we know how the rest of that story goes…

Hillel and Shammai

Yanni said, “…there are two schools of Mishnaic thought,” and Shmuel finished his statement with, “Hillel and Shammai, of course…”.

First, let’s define Mishnaic thought. The Mishnah is a written document (book) containing the previously oral Jewish traditions. The Mishnah contains interpretations and practical applications of the Torah. For example, what exactly does it mean to “keep the Sabbath holy”? The rabbis had a specific answer to this question to guide the Jewish people and keep everyone on the same page as far as what could or couldn’t be done on the Sabbath.  

Rabbis Hillel and Shammai were well-respected Jewish sages who lived about 2,000 years ago. They were devoted scholars, but they disagreed on many things. Conditions for divorce, the procedure for lighting Hanukkah candles, and whether to allow anyone to study Torah or only chosen students. 

Hillel’s school of thought is more liberal than Shammai’s, and Hillel’s is what is followed by most observant Jews today, but both opinions are expressed in the modern-day Mishnah.  

These groups were also divided politically. In Jesus’s time, the school of Shammai sided with the Zealots, and Hillel wanted to find a more peaceful existence with the Romans. They sometimes disagreed to the point of killing members of the other side, but this was the exception, as most disagreements between the two schools were peaceful and respectful.

And we can look forward to Episode 6 to see what Mary’s up to in Jericho and more! Would you like to receive updates from Hebrew Roots Mom? Follow me on social media or sign up for the newsletter!

Here’s an updated version of my printable calendar of Holy Days and other important dates.

Click here for a free, printable calendar (2023-2026) from Hebrew Roots Mom!

Most Believers feel they have some connection to the Holy Land through the stories and people in the Bible. Artzabox brings this connection to you through items sent quarterly from different locations in the Holy Land for you to experience in your own home.

This quarter’s box contains items from the Negev – the beautiful desert area south of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The Negev was Abram’s temporary home when he and his wife, Sarai, left Egypt after God had brought a plague against them because Sarai had been taken into the house of Pharaoh (Genesis 12). 

The Negev was also the place Moses sent the spies to explore in Numbers 13. They found colossal grape clusters and other quality fruits in this wilderness area. They also reported that the people living there were massive and strong! There are many other references to the Negev in the Bible. An angel spoke to Hagar there (Gen. 16), and Isaac and Jacob also spent time there. 

Click here to see my previous Artzabox reviews.

The Artzabox Subscription 

Artzabox has two subscription plans, standard and premium. The premium subscription includes a limited edition item, something exceptional not included in the other boxes! Boxes are sent quarterly, with a different location featured each quarter.

But an Artzabox subscription doesn’t just ensure you receive the unique items sent to your home from the Holy Land. Your purchase also supports Israeli charities and small businesses. In the two years Artza has been sending Artzaboxes, they have helped support over seventy Israeli small businesses and charities!  

Here are the items in this quarter’s Negev box.

Moroccan Tile Craft Kit

The premium item in this quarter’s box is such a fun addition! It’s a kit with all you need to create your own Moroccan tile like those in beautiful zellige tilework. My artist daughter took the challenge and used this kit to create the beautiful tile below.

The founder of Zuak Moroccan Tile Studio is Hadasa Sharet, an entrepreneur with a passion for bringing people of different cultures together. She uses art to accomplish this, creating beautiful tiles and kits to create your own easily.

Handmade Ceramic Olive Leaf Dish

This dish is a beautiful piece with a meaningful background. The olive leaves hand-painted onto this dish symbolize peace and reconciliation. Olive trees Biblically represent Israel, where even the Gentiles have a role in Israel, as described in Romans 11. 

If the olive leaf design isn’t enough to make this dish special, it’s created by the residents at ADI. This organization helps rehabilitate those with Down syndrome and special needs. These dishes are handmade by children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities at ADI, as a valuable part of their vocational program. 

Dukkah Spice Blend

Originally an Egyptian creation, this Israeli Dukkah blend is versatile and delicious! It can be used as a topping for your challah or added to vegetables or meats as they cook. It would be a tasty addition to hummus, or you could use it to make the Hearty Dukkah Yogurt Soup recipe included in this Artzabox. 

Or and Avi created this spice blend at Derech Hatavlinim. Their spice blends have been included in previous Artzaboxes, so I was excited to receive another one to try. They’ve all been unique and delicious!

Natural Deep Cleaning Facial Mask

This mask will leave your skin soft and renewed. It also has an earthy scent that’s just wonderful! Kelp is the ingredient responsible for brightening the skin, while hempseed oil softens. Your skin will be nourished by various minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. And, as a massive bonus to my teens, this mask can even be used as a spot treatment for pimples!

All this mask’s ingredients and oils are natural and grown locally in the Negev Desert of Israel. The mask is certified organic and created by Argot Organic Wellness, founded by Esther Lachman. All ingredients are grown organically on her farm near the Gerar river, where Abraham and Isaac once lived. The king of Gerar, Abimelech, took Sarah from Abraham when Abraham (again) lied and introduced Sarah as his sister (Genesis 20).

Super Berry Granola

I was excited to see this when I opened the box because I LOVE granola! This natural granola looks, smells, and tastes delicious! I tasted it with milk, but Artza’s recommendation on how to enjoy it (with a fresh dollop of yogurt and berries) sounds even better. I’m sure my children would love this served parfait style too!

Galit and Dany created this tasty and healthy mix in Ashdod, Israel. This husband and wife team strives to make food that’s not just healthy but flavorful and rich also. They certainly achieved that with this granola! It’s delicious, but you don’t have to worry about eating added chemicals or sugar. 

Olive Wood Cross

This attractive hand-carved cross is perfectly smooth to the touch. As I mentioned above, the olive wood has meaningful symbolism of the land and the people of the nation of Israel. The beautiful wood grain is exposed, and its natural look complements any decor.

Connecting Hearts Game

This game is great for families! At their turn, each player chooses a card and reads the question. For example, “My favorite Bible character and why.” The other players attempt to answer the question about the player that chose the card, and that player gives the card to the person they think answered most accurately.

Connecting Hearts is made by Hooga Games in Israel. They focus on creating an atmosphere where people can bond and have meaningful and unforgettable experiences. 

Postcards from the Negev

Postcards of the featured Holy Land area are included in each Artzabox. The postcards included in this box are high-resolution images of Park Timna and the Churches of Ancient Mamshit.

Park Timna is an ancient Egyptian copper mining area known for its rock formations that seem to defy gravity. Located along the main road from Judea to Petra, the ancient once-lost city of Mamshit was one of the main trade posts over 1,500 years ago. This postcard shows one of the churches found there, complete with an intact mosaic floor!

Negev Desert Crossword

This is the first time I’ve seen this included in an Artzabox. I’m excited to see it included because I love sitting down with a good crossword puzzle. The clues to the puzzle all have something to do with the items included in the box. What a fun idea!

This Artzabox was a fantastic box with many unique items! Aren’t you excited to see what’s in the next one? 

If you’d like to see what was included in the previous Artzaboxes I’ve received, visit my Artzabox page.