Westside Bible Studies

Jesus had accomplished a powerful salvation, well beyond anything anyone had expected. What was unthinkable before was now to be seen as becoming and fitting. For those who believed in Jesus the world could never look the same again; all must be viewed by the way of the cross. The New and Living Way | Episode 5 | Hebrews 2:5-10 For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak...

The Hebrews author brings home a forceful, powerful exhortation: since Jesus is the Son of God, greater than the angels, and God Himself, and if the consequences of a Law delivered by lesser beings remained firm, how much more then will Christians escape if they neglect such a great salvation in Jesus? The New and Living Way | Episode 4 | Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest h...

The Hebrews author provides a litany of Scriptural quotations to show the superiority of the Son over the angels. Yet what else is he accomplishing through what he quotes and how? The New and Living Way | Episode 3 | Hebrews 1:4-14 Having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, "Thou art my So...

The Hebrews sermon-letter begins with a strong exordium, a powerful and beautifully composed "thesis statement" for the whole message. God is speaking in Jesus; in Jesus we find the character, glory, and power of God, and thus God Himself. The New and Living Way | Episode 2 | Hebrews 1:1-4 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hat...

A Jewish Christian in the first century provided a word of exhortation to his fellow Christians to hold firm to their faith in Jesus according to His new and living Way; we call the record of his sermon-letter the Letter to the Hebrews. As we begin exploring Hebrews we do well to consider the text in its context.  Of all the books of the New Testament Hebrews is the most challenging in this r...

The book of Ezekiel concludes with the river flowing from the Most Holy Place and the idealized divisions of the land. Its name would be YHWH is There. YHWH is with His people, then to now. The Israel of God knows He is YHWH. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 44 | Ezekiel 47:1-48:35

Ezekiel was shown the sacred precinct and told of the festivals and celebrations which Israel would enjoy. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 43 | Ezekiel 45:1-46:24

Ezekiel was shown more regarding the ideal temple, its sacrifices and offerings, and the priesthood. Israel could hope. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 42 | Ezekiel 43:1-44:31

To encourage Israel YHWH shows Ezekiel a vision of the idealized Temple. In Christ we can become what God promised Israel. And You Shall Know I Am YHWH | Episode 41 | Ezekiel 40:1-42:20

Gog has perplexed and petrified people for generations. We do best to understand the narrative in terms of YHWH demonstrating His power to save to His restored people. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 40 | Ezekiel 38:1-39:29

Israel was dried up. God would restore life to Israel...if only Israel would trust in Him. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 39 | Ezekiel 37:1-28

Israel had profaned YHWH's name by their unfaithfulness. YHWH would yet cleanse them and restore them to Himself. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 38 | Ezekiel 36:16-38 Moreover the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their doings: their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in he...

The mountains of Seir would be devastated. The mountains of Israel would rejoice. Ezekiel continued to sustain Israel in hope. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 37 | Ezekiel 35:1-36:15

Israel had fallen prey to corrupt shepherds. YHWH Himself would become their Shepherd and would refresh His people. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 36 | Ezekiel 34:1-31

The news had arrived: Jerusalem was struck. Ezekiel's mouth was opened. A message was necessary for those who remained. Ezekiel would prove popular, but the people would still not listen. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 35 | Ezekiel 33:21-33 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jeru...

Pharaoh would find comfort in Hades. In anticipation of the end it will be revealed to Israel how Ezekiel was a watchman. Israel did not need to die in their sins. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 34 | Ezekiel 32:1-33:20

Egypt's pride was to be humbled. As it happened to Assyria, so it would happen to Egypt. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 33 | Ezekiel 30:1-31:18

Ezekiel's last prophecy in time is placed "out of order," here in the midst of the nation oracles. The prophecy regarding Tyre required "updating." What Ezekiel promised would be accomplished; it would just not happen as expected. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 32 | Ezekiel 29:13-21 For thus saith the Lord YHWH: "At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the peoples w...

Ezekiel now turns to prophesy against Egypt. There's a history there; there will also be an unthinkable future. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 31 | Ezekiel 29:1-12 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt; speak,...

The King of Tyre had been glorified, but would now be laid low. Sidon would not be spared. But Israel, the people of God, would know YHWH is their God when they saw their vindication in the sight of the nations. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 30 | Ezekiel 28:11-26 Moreover the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say unto him...

Ezekiel lamented the destruction of Tyre and its wealth along with its haughty prince. It would become a template for lamentations to come. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 29 | Ezekiel 27:26-28:10 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas. Thy riches, and thy wares, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers,...

Lament was made over Tyre. It sat at the hub of a wide-ranging trading network. It would fade soon. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 27 | Ezekiel 26:15-27:25

Tyre would experience great distress. It would take longer and come from a different hand than originally expected, but prosperity would not be theirs. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 27 | Ezekiel 26:1-14 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, because that Tyre hath said against Jerusalem, 'Aha,...

As Jerusalem endured siege, Ezekiel turned to prophesy against the nations around Israel. YHWH noticed their glee at Israel's expense; YHWH would repay. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 26 | Ezekiel 25:1-17 And the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, set thy face toward the children of Ammon, and prophesy against them: and say unto the children of Ammon, Hear the word of the...

The moment of crisis had come: Jerusalem was under siege. Despair and distress would follow, as Ezekiel would personally experience. And You Shall Know That I Am YHWH | Episode 25 | Ezekiel 24:1-27