This week’s Torah portion is called Chayei Sarah, which means “the life of Sarah.” The title of this portion is ironic because it begins with the death of Sarah, at the ripe age of 127. The passing of Sarah sets the stage for two great movements in Abraham’s later life. First, he purchases a piece of land in the place God promised him and his descendants. Second, he finds a suitable bride for his son, Isaac. Support the show

This week’s Torah portion is called Vayera, which means “And he appeared.” It is named for God’s appearance to Abraham and it covers Genesis 18:1–22:24. The narrative opens with the arrival of three visitors at the entrance to Abraham’s tent. The text states, “The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed do...

This week’s Torah portion is called Lech Lecha, which means “Go forth,” and it centers on God’s call on Abraham’s life. It covers Genesis 12:1–17:27. After the biblical flood and the failed ambition of the Tower of Babel, God changes His strategy for engaging with humanity. Instead of a universal covenant with all of creation, God narrows His focus to one person: a man named Abraham from a land called Ur of the Chaldeans. The opening words of this portion are simple, but they set a new ...

This week’s Torah portion is called Noach and it covers Genesis 6:9–11:32. The flood narrative is more than a story about a punishing rainstorm. From a theological perspective, it’s a de-creation. It’s an undoing of the world back to its primordial state of watery chaos, echoing the formless and empty earth of Genesis 1. God is essentially hitting the reset button on His creation. The waters cover the earth, and all life is swept away, leaving only Noah and his family. The ark becomes a...

For the past four years, we've embarked on a deep, chapter-by-chapter exploration of prophetic texts often overlooked by many readers—from the twelve minor prophets to the reformers Ezra and Nehemiah, and the major prophet Ezekiel. Now, we are embarking on a one-year sprint through the foundational texts of our faith: the first five books of the Bible, the Torah. This series is structured around the Jewish reading cycle. According to Jewish tradition, some 2,500 years ago, Ezra the Scribe est...

Prophets in the Bible who did not write their own books are often referred to as non-writing prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel’s prophecies were compiled into dedicated biblical books. The ministries of non-writing prophets are instead recorded within the historical narratives of other books, like Kings and Chronicles. Their primary role was to deliver God’s message to kings and the people of Israel and Judah. Their ministries were frequently characterized by bold confrontations with id...

The prophet’s final recorded revelation is a divine mandate on how the land of Israel will be divided among the tribes once they are restored to the land. This vision is a pretty granular in all its detail, but it was meant to give hope to a people in despair. The Israelites had lost their land and their temple, and this meticulous oracle of restoration was a promise that God had not abandoned His people or forgotten His covenant promises. Support the show

In Ezekiel 47, the prophet, along with his angelic guide, witnesses a river of living water flowing from the temple. Sitting on the bank of the river with the angel, Ezekiel observes that the river brings life to everything it touches. In the Gospels, Jesus often referred to himself as living water. This wasn’t just a casual use of a metaphor; it was a deliberate theological statement that connected his ministry to ancient prophetic promises. Support the show

Chapters 45 and 46 of Ezekiel detail the structure of a future Jerusalem, including a holy district with land allotments for priests and Levites, and a separate area for a new leader called "the prince." This prince is an ideal, righteous ruler who oversees the temple and provides sacrifices, contrasting with the corrupt kings of the past. The vision also outlines specific regulations for temple traffic, sacrifices, and festivals, which differ from the traditional Mosaic Law. Although t...

In this episode of Bible Fiber, you'll discover the fascinating story behind the permanently sealed East Gate. We’ll also explore the surprising strictness about who could enter Ezekiel's ideal temple. You'll learn about the unique calling of the Zadokite priests. While Ezekiel's vision is incredibly detailed about the future temple, there's a significant omission – no High Priest. The answer is in the Book of Hebrews. Jesus is our ultimate, eternal High Priest, the one who tore down the vei...

After four years of near weekly episodes, I took the month of June off and went to Israel to participate in an archaeological dig at Shiloh. The excavation has been going on for years under the auspices of the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) and Dr. Scott Stripling, who directs ABR’s excavations. Things took a crazy turn when Israel attacked Iran. At first we kept digging, until we couldn't anymore... Support the show

Shavuot is also known as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Harvest. It is a joyous one-day festival that begins on the sixth day of the third month in the Hebrew calendar, Sivan. This typically falls in late May or early June on the Gregorian calendar. It’s worth noting that Shavuot comes exactly 50 days after the second day of Passover, hence its Greek name, Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth.” This timing links the Exodus from Egypt to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Support the show

This week we are taking a break from our Ezekiel study because I have a special guest with me, Omri Toppol. I met Omri recently at the National Religious Broadcasters convention. I was super intrigued by a new project that he is starting, and I thought Bible Fiber listeners would be as well. Omri is the CEO of Temple Mount Soil. Yes, you heard that right: Temple Mount Soil. Check out the website: https://www.templemountsoil.com/ If you make a purchase be sure to use the promo code: BIBL...

In Ezekiel 43, we witness a pivotal moment: the powerful return of God's glory to the temple, a stark contrast to its departure described earlier in the book. Join me as we explore the profound significance of this event, examining the conditions for God's enduring presence and the intriguing question of why the detailed temple vision wasn't immediately reconstructed. We'll also delve into how the imagery of Ezekiel's vision finds resonance and transformation in the book of Revelation. This e...

This week, we will delve into Ezekiel chapters 40 to 42, which present Ezekiel’s visionary depiction of a future temple complex. While our usual format for Bible Fiber is to explore one chapter each week, I have decided to dedicate this episode to an in-depth discussion of all three chapters together. As a priest, Ezekiel was likely enthralled by the measurements and architectural details of his temple vision. However, for many listeners, his verbal descriptions might be challenging to visual...

This week, we are studying Ezekiel 39, the second half of his famous oracle against the mysterious Gog from the land of Magog. Israel’s only job Throughout most of the Gog oracle, the emphasis has been on God’s direct intervention in defeating the invading armies. Whether it was God knocking the bow and arrows from the archers’ hands (39:3) or setting fire to Magog and the coastlands (39:6), the responsibility fell entirely on God to obliterate the hordes. In the prophecy, the Israelite...

This week, we are studying Ezekiel 38, where the prophet presents his famous oracle against Gog from the land of Magog. This quasi-apocalyptic vision has captivated and perplexed scholars, theologians, and lay readers for centuries. Its cryptic nature, rich symbolism, and futuristic implications have led to many, often conflicting, interpretations. The shadowy figure of Gog, the vivid portrayal of a great battle, and the promise of divine intervention have made these chapters a focal point fo...

This week, we are studying Ezekiel 37, which contains one of the most iconic prophetic visions in the entire Bible: The Valley of Dry Bones. Apart from God’s winged throne chariot in Chapter 1, this is the most memorable symbol in Ezekiel. The vision’s enduring popularity stems from its vivid imagery and potent message of hope. As an apocalyptic vision, it easily lends itself to endless interpretation. Support the show

Welcome to Bible Fiber, where are we encountering the textures and shades of the biblical tapestry. I am Shelley Neese, president of The Jerusalem Connection, a Christian organization devoted to sharing the story of the people of Israel, both ancient and modern. This week we are studying Ezekiel 35 and 36. In the previous chapter, Yahweh restated his loyalty to the covenant people as a nation. In Chapters 35 and 36, he reasserts his commitment to the land of Israel. Mount Seir&nbs...

In Chapter 34, Ezekiel’s prophetic tone changes. Previously mute and limited to delivering messages of judgment, Ezekiel now offers words of comfort and hope to his fellow exiles. This change marks a turning point in the book of Ezekiel and in the prophet’s ministry. By this time, the number of Jewish exiles in Babylon had grown considerably. Ezekiel could have dwelled on the past, reminding his traumatized audience of the reasons for their punishment. Instead, he chooses a more compassionate...