BibleInteract

As God’s firstborn son (Ex 4:24), all the children of Israel are entitled to a special inheritance of leadership known as the birthright.

Israel’s inheritance is not “salvation” (a Christian concept), but a special inheritance of leadership known as the birthright. However, each individual must exhibit characteristics of leadership or God will remove the birthright for unworthy behavior. However, all the children of Israel, whether they inherit the birthright or not, still belong to God.

God is making a selection out of Israel as to who is worthy to inherit the birthright, which is a special role of leadership. This selection process has nothing to do with “who will be saved.” All the children of Israel belong to God. However, those who inherit the birthright are called a “remnant,” and they have a special role to play in God’s great Plan of Redemption.

God is selecting a remnant out of Israel to play an important future role. After the Millennial Kingdom, a remnant will be led by the Messiah in a victorious battle against the forces of evil, which we can see in the Book of Daniel. Our lives today are a training ground to prepare those who will be worthy of this special role.

It is clear from Scripture that there will be a remnant of Israel. In a previous session we learned that the remnant are those who will inherit the birthright. However, what about believers in Christ? Romans 9-11 reveals that there will also be a remnant from the Church.

What does it mean in Col 1:27 that Christ is “in” those with faith in him? After answering this question, we explore what it means that “you are in Christ".

Ez 37:16-19 talks about a future joining of two sticks. What do the sticks represent? This passage is in a chiastic construction, and the Hebrew word translated “companions” leads us to a different conclusion than is generally offered.

We must know the historical and cultural background of ancient Israel in order to understand the biblical passages about the Samaritans.

A common interpretation finds that only those Jews who believe in the Messiah will be “saved.” First, this teaching examines the biblical meaning of the word “saved.” Then we discover from Scripture that all the children of Israel “belong to God,” just as those with faith in Christ also “belong to God.”

How does the resurrection of Christ lead to the first aspect of salvation? And, if there is a first aspect of salvation, what follows?

Christian theology offers three possible answers (with variations on each theme). Dr. Davis suggests that you consider the evidence for each interpretation, and then come to your own conclusion.

After exploring three possible answers in the previous session, Dr. Davis shares her understanding from Scripture as to “who will be saved,” and then explains how she drew this conclusion.

Dr. Davis explains various Christian interpretations that attempt to answer the question, “Who will be saved?” Then she turns to the second aspect of salvation for Israel, which is rescue from daily consequences of walking in worldly ways. This concept of daily rescue from pain and suffering is portrayed through the artistic nature of the Exodus narrative.

Paul declares that believers in Christ have received “the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:14). God’s promise can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, which conveys deeper meaning through the artistry of the language.

The Exodus event teaches us how to be free from bondage to the world in our daily lives. The irony is that freedom without the law leads to suffering bondage under the control of Satan.

This session conducts a close examination of Genesis 28:10-13 by considering the geography of the event, the greater narrative in which Jacob’s vision occurs, and especially the artistic nature of the biblical text.

In Leviticus 11:44 we learn that God commands the children of Israel to be holy as He is holy. In the New Testament, Peter repeats this commandment to believers in Christ. The reason for this commandment is so that God’s children, both Jew and Gentile, can draw near to Him.

In Hebrews 6:1-2 we learn that understanding baptism is one of several “elementary teachings.” Yet, there is a depth of understanding to this “elementary teaching.” How deep is your understanding about baptism by water and Spirit?

In Hebrews 6:1-2 we learn that “laying on of hands” is an elementary teaching. Yet, Yeshua laid hands on people to heal them. This session leads us to a higher principal regarding “laying on of hands.”

In Hebrews 6:1-2 we learn that the knowledge of eternal judgment is an “elementary teaching.” This session leads us to a higher principal regarding eternal judgment.

Mature Christians press on to perfection and strive for it. In this session we examine the concept of perfection by starting in the Hebrew Scriptures, and then turning to passages in the New Testament.

Dr. Davis discusses the research she conducted before writing her book on Romans 9-11. She suggests that Rom 9:1-11:12 is addressed to Jewish believers, and Paul uses halachic midrash and artistry of language that the Jewish believers would have understood. For us to understand these chapters today, we must “think Hebrew, not Greek.”

Galatians 5:1 declares that Christ has set us free. When did this occur, and how? And what does it mean to “be free.” Then Paul warns us not to be subject to bondage again. What does this mean?

A chiastic structure in Galatians 3:1-5 offers instruction about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Law.

We first meet Satan’s giant army in Genesis 6:4. God caused a flood to destroy these evil giants but some survived, and they continue to appear in the biblical narrative. At some future time, possibly after the Millennial Kingdom, the armies of God and Satan will meet in a final battle.