Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

Recently, I watched the documentary "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy", directed by Tim Mahoney. I was fascinated by things he mentioned, enough so to go and watch the previous documentary he did on the Exodus, namely "Patterns of Evidence: Exodus". Tim Mahoney's own testimony is interesting as well.

Here is the trailer

 It seems the accepted view among "credible" scholars and archaeologists, is that the Biblical account of the Exodus is a work of fiction.  This view somehow gained acceptance in the academic community when a female archaeologist named Kathleen Kenyon did work at the site of Jericho in the 1950's and determined there was no evidence of destruction matching the Biblical account. She was looking in an area that represents the late bronze age, but it's just not there. However, like many ancient sites, cities, castles, forts etc. are often built on top of previous sites.

In short, this whole controversy in the archeological debate mostly seems to be centered around the timeline or chronology of events.  The timeframe of the Exodus, which scholars doubt happened at all, is said to have occurred during the reign of Ramses, which is much later during Egypt's new kingdom. Since no evidence exists in that time period, well it was settled among academics that the Biblical account must be little more than fairy tale.  

The different stages of the Exodus, once put in the timeframe known as the middle kingdom, rather than the period known as the new kingdom, evidence starts to line up with the Biblical account.  Yet, this evidence has yet to gain acceptance in academic circles for various reasons.  These stages, the documentary categorizes like this:
- Arrival
- Multiplication
- Slavery
- Judgement of Egypt (the plagues)
- Exodus
- Conquest of Canaan

The question then becomes - surely there is evidence of these things in the historical and archeological record?  What is not well published, is there IS evidence, just not during the time period that is accepted by the dominant scholars of our era.

What follows are a brief list of some of the evidence discussed in the film that I had never heard of, except one - the Merneptah Stele.  Some of the most compelling evidence is covered by someone who is a self-avowed agnostic, David Rohl, which you would think would remove any claim of bias that a Bible-believing Christian might be accused of.

- Joseph's arrival in Egypt and rise to a position, 2nd only to the pharaoh.
- The city of Ramses, where there is little evidence for the Hebrews ever existing, lies on top of an older settlement known as Avaris where there is evidence of Semitic peoples.  This evidence also includes signs that they were initially doing very well, but then seemed to have much shorter lifespans, consistent with being put into slavery.
- A canal which diverts water from the Nile river, which to this day is called Bahr Yussef or "waterway of Joseph"
- About the time the Biblical story of the 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine are to occur, there is evidence of a decline of power of the various regions of Egypt, being concentrated in one area and in the hands of pharaoh alone. This was during the time of Sunusret and Amenemhat III (not Ramses).
- An Egyptian papyrus document known as the Brooklyn Papyrus, lists names of slaves and a large number of these names are Semitic. Note that it's sometimes confusing when Canaanite or Semitic people have historically been referred to as Asian. You can see this in the writings of several early British scholars. 
- An Egyptian document that recounts events remarkably similar to those of the plagues mentioned in the Bible. This papyrus known as the Ipuwer Papyrus, or "Admonitions of an Egyptian Sage", is in a Dutch museum. 
- The Merneptah Stele, a large stone that records a number of military conquests and at the very bottom, a section that refers to Israel as a people. King Merneptah was just prior to His immediate successor, Ramses III. Yet his immediate predecessor was known as Ramses the Great, and its this Ramses that scholars still associate as the pharaoh of the Exodus. More evidence that the Exodus wouldn't have happened then as Israel is already referred to as a nation on the Stele.

There is lots more, but I highly encourage you to find and watch this documentary.  If for no other reason, than to see and hear evidence that is largely obscured by modern scholars that, when taken together, seems to vindicate the Biblical account of the Exodus.

 

Very interesting - "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy"

The world we live in today has many of the academics and scholarly types giving their findings that contradict and cast doubt on the Bible. I am no scholar, archaeologist or theologian, but I do love history.  The Bible claims that God told Moses to write down the events of the Exodus. 
Exodus 17:14
17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

I have heard or read comments over the years about how some scholars suggest that Moses could not have written the first 5 books of the Bible. They make this claim based on their research which shows them the Hebrew language as we know it today, didn't exist at the time of Moses.  The claims typically go on to suggest the "documentary" style of development to the first five books of the Bible, with having several authors, which are said to have been "developed" over time.  This "development" would then have been embellished with stories like the parting of the Red Sea etc.  So the thinking goes.  Amazon is full of books on this subject.

Yesterday, I watched "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy", purchasing and watching it on youtube.  No this is not click-bait.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5a7koxKABQ

Wow, I can honestly say I learned a lot from watching that.  I had no idea there were this much activity in this area.  Especially interesting however, are the things brought up in this documentary as counter-weight to the skeptics and scholars who cast doubt on the Bible account.  None of the evidence individually is likely to sway any of these scholars, nor the skeptics that rest on their work.  However, the phrase from the title of the documentary eg. "patterns" which include a number of things, when taken together, form a body of evidence that I have not seen mentioned before. These things, when taken together, dispel the notion that Bible is a fairy tale and has no historical basis.  In the end however, it still comes down to belief.  Nothing that can be dug out of the ground, by itself, is going to show the world that there is a God and that this same God said and did all the things in the Bible.  It didn't take but a few generations after Noah, for man to doubt God. Today, believing in the God of the Bible is largely considered "foolish" or childish, especially if one takes the Bible literally.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

However, for those that believe the Bible, there are things that this documentary discusses that can strengthen our faith.  Archaeology isn't needed to believe, but a few things discovered along the way, sure seem to help stop up the mouths of the skeptics.
- Early writing with an alphabet, likely a form of ancient Hebrew, existed at the time of the Exodus.  
- Scholars that are part of the established academic circles will refuse to accept anything that is evidence supporting the Bible.

Book of Hebrews an overview

 Ch 1 God who in times past spake by the prophets, now speaks to us by His son, Jesus Christ.
Ch 2 Now we must listen to Jesus, who tasted death for every man. He took on Him the seed of Abraham.
Ch 3 Consider Christ Jesus, who was counted more worthy than Moses. Be steadfast unto the end. Recalls those wandering in the wilderness and those who could not enter into His rest because of unbelief and perished in the wilderness. We can have rest through faith in Christ.
Ch 4 As God ceased from His own works on the day of His rest, so should we seek rest in Christ. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword
Ch 5 Concerning Christ being our high priest after the order of Melchisedec.  Paul rebukes those listening that though they should be teachers they need teaching themselves because they do not understand these things.
Ch 6 Paul tells his Hebrew brethren not to make salvation include works, but yet to rest on the doctrine of Christ. A reminder to  persevere and be diligent and reminder of the dangers of apostasy (verse 6)
Ch 7 Recalls Melchisedec, king of Salem (old name for Jerusalem), how even Abraham gave a tenth to. Jesus was made a priest after Melchisedec, see Gen 14:18-20 and Psalms 110 and also reminds them that perfection was not in the Levitical priesthood, but that the priesthood of Jesus is perfect because He endureth forever.
Ch 8 Paul summarizes the previous chapters - Jesus is our high priest who has obtained a more excellent ministry and is now the mediator of a better covenant. He quotes from Jeremiah 31 about the new covenant, why it came and that because it is new, the old is passed away.
Ch 9 Christ made the sacrifice once, unlike the priests who made offerings and the high priest who alone was able to enter into the most holy place (the 2nd tabernacle)
Ch 10 The Law was but a shadow of good things to come and were made every year. Paul compels us to be steadfast in our faith.
Ch 11 The substance of faith explained. Recounts things did by faith of Noah, Enoch, Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Rahab. Recounts what endless others like Gideon, Samson did great things through faith. did which cost them to suffer, yet they continued.
Ch 12 Run the race before you and endure the Lord's chastening.
Ch 13 Paul encourages us what to do and what to avoid - continue in brotherly love, avoid diverse and strange doctrines, communicate, obey them that have the rule over you (referring to a pastor). Always entertain the stranger as they might be angels.

Jeremiah Overview

Overview
Jeremiah was a prophet at the time of kings Hilkiah, Josiah and Jehoiakim.  He prophesied of both the judgement coming upon both houses of Israel - Israel and Judah, and the nations around them, a new covenant and foreshadowed the future destruction of Babylon.

Ch 1 A son of Hilkiah the priest. In the days of Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, kings of Judah. Judgement is coming on the cities of Judah and Jerusalem from the nations of the north.
Ch 2 God tells Jeremiah to rebuke the children of Israel for turning away from Him and sought after other gods. They shall not be able to trust in Egypt
Ch 3 God yet offers a chance to Israel to turn back to God, and Judah who yet serves Him in a feigned (fake) way. Mentions there is a time coming when they will no more seek the ark of the covenant or the Lord, and Jerusalem will the throne of the Lord.
Ch 4 God gives the people one last change to yet remove the abominations from among them and they will not be removed. The destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way. Verses 23-26 seem at first to say the whole earth is destroyed, but the key is verse 27. Always read in context.
Ch 5 The house of Israel and Judah have dealt treacherously with the Lord, have refused correction and even the great men have turned away. God is sending an army from the north of ancient people (the Assyrians) but will not make a full end of them. Because they have served strange gods, so shall they serve strangers in a strange land that is not their own. The prophets speak falsely and the priests rule by their own means.
Ch 6 Stand ye in the ways and ask for the old paths. The Lord brings evil upon this people. The Lord has set Jeremiah as a tower and fortress to know and try the way of the people (verse 28). A tower is used to watch and warn of approaching danger.
Ch 7 God tells them to look at Shiloh for an example of what will happen. The children of Judah have set abominations in the Lord's house and were practicing child sacrifice at Tophet. God tells Jeremiah don't bother praying or making intercession for them, their time of judgement has come. What kind of slaughter will God bring upon America and other countries who have shed so much innocent blood of the unborn children?
Ch 8 The bones of their great princes and great men will be dug up and used as dung. Their wives will be given to other men.
Ch 9 The people proceed from evil to evil. Let not the rich man or mighty man glory in what he has, but in the knowledge of the Lord.
Ch 10 A rebuke of the false gods of the heathens as well as the pastors of the people and telling of a coming commotion out of the north country that will lay waste to the cities of Judah.
Ch 11 The Lord says to proclaim in the cities of Judah that cursed be the man that does not keep the covenant. The people have turned back unto iniquities of their fathers and the Lord will bring evil upon them and will not hear them when they cry unto Him. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for this people. Men of Anathoth had threatened to kill Jeremiah for prophesying in the name of the Lord and the Lord will kill these men and their children will die of hunger.
Ch 12 Jeremiah is turning away from his own people because they are against him and have forsaken the Lord.  The Lord is to make the land desolate yet will restore them.
Ch 13 God uses the a linen girdle, has him hide it in a rock near the Euphrates river then dig it up to see that it had been marred. This to show Jeremiah and the whole house of Judah that they will have to cleave unto the Lord. Even still the Lord gives the call to turn back unto Him, but if not , destruction comes and they will be carried away captive.
Ch 14 A drought has come upon Judah. Again the Lord tells Jeremiah not to pray for this people because of their straying, but Jeremiah tells the Lord that the prophets tell the people they will not be consumed by the sword, famine and pestilence. God tells him those same prophets will also die by the sword, famine and pestilence.
Ch 15 Because of the things that king Manasseh did, the Lord says to tell the people some are to be fall by the sword, some by famine, some to be torn by dogs and beasts and some to go into captivity.  See II Kings ch 21, Manasseh rebuilt the altars to false gods that his father Hezekiah had torn down. God promises to preserve Jeremiah through all the destruction and danger.
Ch 16 Jeremiah told not to take a wife or have sons or daughters, because the sons and daughters and the mothers that bear them will die in the place they have been sent. When the people ask why so much evil is come upon them, the Lord says to tell them it is because their fathers have sought after other gods and they have done even worse abominations. However, it will come that the Lord will bring them back.
Ch 17 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man (ref. Psalms 146). The heart is deceitful above all things. Woe to those that get riches the wrong way. Jeremiah asks the Lord to bring double destruction upon those persecute him. God tells him to stand in the gates of Jerusalem and compel the kings and people to obey the sabbath or else.
Ch 18 Jeremiah and the potters wheel. The creation before the flood is the first work that was marred, then the 2nd has become Israel who have turned away from the Lord. The people speak against Jeremiah and he prays that they be destroyed, yet even now God gives them one last chance that they refuse.
Ch 19 God sends Jeremiah to valley of the son of Hinnom, near the east gate of Jerusalem. He's told to preach to all the people of the coming evil the Lord is sending upon them because they have forsaken the Lord and served other gods including Baal. They will be broken like the potters vessel that cannot be made whole again. Question - if they are not to be made whole again, then what about later under Ezra and Nehemiah?  At first this passage about "cannot be made whole again" seems to imply they will never be a people again, let alone be restored to the land and I'm sure some will say this is yet again another contradiction in the Bible. In ch 12(vs 15) the Lord says He will pluck them up but will also restore them. I think what this example of the potters vessel is that the people will have to cleave unto the Lord like the girdle in order to be restored and not of their own will.
Ch 20 The priest named Pashur smites Jeremiah and has him put in prison. The next day Pashur brings Jeremiah out and Jeremiah tells him and everyone else what is coming upon them, and how he sought not to say anymore after the people would not hear him, yet the Word of the Lord burned inside him. Prays before them, asking the Lord to let him see the Lord's vengeance brought upon these people.
Ch 21 King Zedekiah had sent Jeremiah unto Pashur the priest to enquire of the Lord, but Jeremiah tells the king and the people what the Lord has said - that they will fall and go into captivity because of their evil doings.
Ch 22 Jeremiah delivers yet another chance for the king to turn from his ways and do justice or else suffer destruction. Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, would not be lamented and his dead carcass would be cast out and buried like a dead donkey. The wind will eat up their pastors. They will fall to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. Coniah the son of Jehoakim will go into captivity and remain childless.
Ch 23 Woe unto the pastors that have scattered the flocks. The Lord will give them new shepherds. The Lord tells Jeremiah of a time when a king will come from the line of David and be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is speaking of the 1000 year kingdom, Revelation ch 20 and all through Isaiah.
Ch 24 Parable of the two basket of figs, one bad and good for nothing, the other very good. The bad figs were those that remained and the good were those that were carried away captive and whom the Lord will bring back.
Ch 25 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim (when he was 4yrs old), Jeremiah is told that after 70 years the Babylonians will be punished along with the nations that surround them and benefit from them. Namely Egypt, Tyre, Uz, Phillistines, Zimri, Elam, Media, and finally Babylon itself. Starting in verse 29, the subject seems to be referring to a far distant time and the day of the Lord.
Ch 26 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah told to speak unto everyone at the Lords house and give them one last chance to turn back unto the Lord, or else be made like Shiloh. A great debate ensues between the people including the princes and priests, whether to put Jeremiah to death, but they do not. A scribe named Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah.
Ch 27 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, the Lord tells Jeremiah to make yokes and send them to the various kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Zidon, and Tyrus.  They are to serve the king of Babylon or else be put to the sword. Now, Jeremiah at a time of King Zedekiah, seems to be speaking of a 2nd wave of captivity to start.
Ch 28 Jeremiah during the reign of Zedekiah in the 4th year and 5th month. The prophet Hananiah spoke to Jeremiah and all the people and priests in the Lords house (the temple not yet destroyed?). Hananiah takes off Jeremiahs yoke of wood and propheceys that the Lord will so break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, but the Lord later revealed that Hananiah is lying and the Lord will give them yokes of iron. Hananiah dies that same year.
Ch 29 Jeremiah writes letters from Jerusalem unto the captives in Babylon and Jeconiah the king had already been taken from Jerusalem. Tells them the Lord has said to build houses there, have children and after 70 years the Lord will bring them back. Also tells them not to listen to the false prophets and that the people who still remain in Jerusalem will suffer the sword and pestilence until they be removed to the kingdoms where others have been sent. Jeremiah deals with another false prophet Shemaiah, whom the Lord tells him he will be punished and he will not have seed (children) nor shall he see the good the Lord will bring upon the people because he has taught rebellion against the Lord.
Ch 30 The Lord tells Jeremiah to write all the things He is telling him in a book. The Lord will bring the people back from captivity and they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king. How could they serve David if he is long dead? Jesus was to be a direct decedent of David. Speaks of a time of great fear and every man with hands on his loins and pale faces, all concerning a great day. Later, Cyrus the great would conquer the Babylonian kingdom and allow the return of the Hebrews under Ezra and Nehemiah.
Ch 31 The Lord will return the people unto the land. The parable of the father eating the sour grape and the children's teeth are set on edge will be said no more. The Lord says the day is coming that He will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah, which they failed to keep.
Ch 32 In the 10th year of Zedekiah and 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah is in prison. God tells him to buy a field and seal the deal in front of witnesses. This is to show that even though they will be taken into captivity, they will be brought back and will buy fields again.
Ch 33 God tells Jeremiah again,still in prison,that the captivity will bee brought back and the cities restored and the branch of David will sit upon the throne. Also interesting, mentions the covenant of the day and night (see Gen 1:16-1:18).  Verse 16 was hard to understand at first, as it uses the term 'she' and then the 'The LORD our righteousness', but she is referring to the city of Judah, Jerusalem and it is called by His name, see also Daniel 9:19
Ch 34 When Nebuchadnezzar has come, God tells Jeremiah to tell king Zedekiah the city will fall and be burnt and Zedekiah will not die by the sword but in peace. The Lord rebukes them for not giving their servants liberty at the end of six years.
Ch 35 In the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, God tells Jeremiah to bring into the Lords house the Rechabites and charge them to drink wine. They refuse because they are keeping the will of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father charged them to drink no wine or build houses, but to dwell in tents. Then God tells Jeremiah to have the Rechabites to go and tell this same thing to the children of Israel.
Ch 36 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah has Baruch the scribe write down all the words the Lord spoke to him concerning the judgement upon Israel. Then to take it to the people to be read to the people in the Lords house. Those that heard it took it to the king to be read, but he tossed it in the fire. So the Lord has Jeremiah tell the king that he will have no descendants to sit upon the throne of David and then write the same words in another scroll and more words were added from the first.
Ch 37 Zedekiah the son of Josiah is king, but none hearkened upon the words of the Lord. The Egyptians come in to the area and the Chaldeans that were besieging the city heard of them, they left. The Lord tells Jeremiah to tell people not to trust in help from the Egyptians and that the Chaldeans will take the city (Jerusalem). Jeremiah thrown into prison again.
Ch 38 Some of the princes heard the words Jeremiah spoke concerning the city and told the king that he causes the men that are fighting to be weakened.  They ask for Jeremiah to be killed.  Hmmm, sounds like some today that denounce anyone that casts America in a negative light because of its doing things that God calls an abomination. Jeremiah is put in a dungeon with no food or water, but later spared by an Ethiopian eunuch who spoke to and obtained permission of the king, lowered a rope made from rags. Then the king pulls Jeremiah aside and asks him to tell him the truth and he repeats the things he has already said. 
Ch 39 In the 9th year of king Zedekiah, the Babylonians besiege Jerusalem and take it 2 years later. Zedekiah tries to escape but is caught on the plains of Jerico, his sons killed in his sight and put out his eyes, and the nobles of Judah killed, then he is to be carried away to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar tells his captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan, to secure Jeremiah and make sure that he has whatever he needs or wants. The Lord tells Jeremiah to speak unto Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian eunuch that earlier had defended Jeremiah unto the king, that the Lord will bring evil upon the city but that he (the Ebedmelech) will be preserved because he had put his trust in the Lord.
Ch 40 Jeremiah given food and told by the captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan that the Lord thy God has brought evil upon this place. Also if Jeremiah wants to go to Babylon, he would take him or he is free to go anywhere he wants. The king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the governor over Judah, who told the people to fear not to serve the king of Babylon. Johanan the son of Kareah comes to tell Ahikam that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay him.
Ch 41 Ishmael comes with ten men and slew Gedeliah and others.  I find it interesting that earlier, Gedeliah had called for Jeremiah to be put to death. The pit that Ishmael has the dead thrown into was the same pit that king Asa had dug for Baasha, king of Israel.
Ch 42 The remnant of people ask Jeremiah to ask the Lord what they should do and promise to do whatever His answer is. After ten days, the Lord tells Jeremiah that if the people are to remain, they will be built back up and they are not to go into Egypt, but they have also asked this thing with a feigned hear (dissembled), not really meaning it.
Ch 43 The remnant of people that stayed behind with Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people obeyed not and went ahead into Egypt at Tahpanhes. The Lord tells Jeremiah to hide great stones in the brickkiln (furnace where bricks are dried) and that Nebuchadrezzar will set his throne upon them. Also, the Egyptian houses of their gods will be burned with fire.
Ch 44 The Lord has Jeremiah to deliver a message to those from Judah that had went into Egypt against His will. They will be consumed by the word and famine, as Pharaohhophra the king of Egypt is given into the hands of his enemies
Ch 45 Baruch the scribe who had begun to loose hope that all is lost, gets a message from the Lord by way of Jeremiah.  Things that were planted will be plucked up but his life will be sparred.
Ch 46 The Lord speaks against the Gentiles and tells Jeremiah that He will send Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Egypt. The Lord will make a full end of all the nations but that Jacob will He not make a full end of but will punish.
Ch 47 The Lord tells Jeremiah what He will do to the Philistines, Tyre, Zidon and Ashkelon. Also in verse 2 & 3 is an example of a flood being used to describe a large body of men coming to conquer, and how we can know Daniel 9:26 is describing the same thing, an invading army. 
Ch 48 The destruction of Moab is coming. They have trusted in their own works and treasures. Moab had offered in the high places and celebrated when Israel was troubled. The very last verse the Lord promises to restore the captivity of Moab in the latter days. Lots of names and places are mentioned here eg. Dibon,Nebo,Bethdiblathaim,Kiriathaim,Bethgamul,Bethmeon, Kerioth Bozrah, sea of Jazer, and Kirheres
Ch 49 Prophesy against others around Israel.  See Romans 4, does Israel have sons today? These kingdoms mentioned were mainly the east - Ammon (north of Moab), Edom, Elam and Damascus. Esau and his grandson Teman are mentioned as references to Edom.  Also mentions Hazor and its kingdoms, yet is a city in the northern part of Israel. There is some interesting background on that as is with all these locations and their names. Also mentioned that in the latter days, the captivity of Elam will be brought back.
Ch 50 Prophesy against Babylon, foreshadows what is spoken of in Revelation 16 & 18.
Ch 51 Continuation of ch 50, prophesy against Babylon. 
Ch 52 Jeremiah recounts the events of the last few years of Zedekiah's reign, capture and the things done to him and his sons at the hands of the Babylonians. Mentions the stages of people being taken into captivity.

Bible Qualifications Of A Pastor Regarding Marriage and Divorce

What does the Bible lay out for the standard to be the pastor of a church?  The main area I point to is I Timothy 3. A few key verses here, then we will look at one area that some have disagreement over.

3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach
3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
3:4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

One obvious thing should be pointed out. Somehow there are those that twist scriptures to allow women pastors.  How can a woman be a husband of one wife? Ok, that should seem pretty straightforward, but lets move on to the issue of divorce and re-marriage regarding a pastor of a church.

Most of those qualifications I Timothy chapter 3 would seem obvious and expected.  Regarding marriage however, some will claim that a man that has divorced is still qualified, assuming the divorce was "justified".  See this post on marriage and divorce. The Bible is clear that marriage is to be between one man and one woman, for life.  Except for fornication (not adultery), a man is to remain bound to his spouse until his death, or the death of his wife, even if the wife departs. Just because a woman leaves her husband, he does not then have justification to re-marry. 

So what does the phrase "husband of one wife" mean in this context?  One wife at a time - or one wife period? Just a few chapters later we can see what Paul is saying here, that it is the latter and not the former.  Paul regarded Timothy as his son (I Timothy 1:2). He is instructing him on not just how to be a pastor, but what standards both he and others must meet. In I Timothy 5:9 we see Paul speak regarding widows that are taken in to be cared for.  One of the requirements before doing so was that they had been a wife of one husband. This is the same qualification of sorts, just reversed.  All of this so that the pastor or elder may be blameless. The keyword here - blameless does not imply sinless.  These are character qualifications

Isaiah an overview

 Isaiah was a prophet that preached during the 8th century BC (700's) and long enough to live under at least 4 different kings. Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, he preached about the coming judgement of the children of Israel and the nations around them, a coming messiah, the last days and the millennial kingdom and the new Jerusalem. Some of the language can be a bit more cryptic than the other prophets.  Chapters 1-39 are mostly concerning the coming judgement on Israel and the nations surrounding it, but also a distant kingdom to come that has yet to be fulfilled. Chapters 40-66 mostly concern a messiah of both His first and second coming as well as the new Jerusalem.

A few of the major prophecies:
- Judah to fall and be carried into captivity
- Syria and Remaliah will not prevail against Jerusalem and Ephraim will be broken within 65 years, ch 7
- A coming messiah, ch 6, 7, 9, 11, 53 (basically all through)
- The day of the Lord ch 13
- A highway out of Egypt and Israel to be a third with Assyria and Egypt in ch 19
- Resurrection of the righteous, ch 26
- God will use Cyrus of Persia to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, ch 44 which happens later under Ezra and Nehemiah
- The Gentile nations will become part of the children of Israel, ch 54, also echoed through out the New Testament, eg. Galatians 3

Ch 1 - The children of Israel have rebelled and have become worse than Sodom in God's eyes. Their sacrifices and prayers mean nothing to Him now.
Ch 2 - Concerning the last days. The day of the Lord and a time when the Lord will judge among the nations.
Ch 3 - Judgement against Judah and it's rulers who cause the people to go into error. They are going to fall to the sword.
Ch 4 - The day that comes, women will be desperate for a husband because so few men are alive.
Ch 5 - Parable of a vineyard.  Instead of grapes, it brought forth wild grapes. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. The nations are being sent against the children of Israel.
Ch 6 - King Uzziah dies, Isaiah is shown the glory of the Lord on His throne. Is told to go and tell the people. Isaiah responds, here am I, send me. He is to go unto the people until men be carried away and the cities are wasted. A remnant will return and among them, the holy seed, from which will come the messiah.
Ch 7 - Israel and Ephraim was confederate with Syria and they come to invade Jerusalem but fail.  See II Kings ch 15 and 16. The alliance wanted to set the son of Tabeal as king of Judah. The Lord tells Isaiah to go with his son to meet Ahaz, king of Judah to tell him not to be afraid, and the Lord will give them a sign of a virgin that conceives and his name shall be called Emanuel. The context of who is speaking is not immediately clear in verse 10, but elsewhere in the Bible like  Hebrews 1:1, we see that the Lord often spoke through the prophets to the people. God will use the Assyrians to take away the northern kingdom and make it desolate.
Ch 8 The Lord tells Isaiah to write the name of a child as Mahershalalhashbaz that is born to a prophetess. Before the child knows to cry, his (Isaiah) father and mother and the riches of Damascus will be taken by the king of Assyria. The children whom the Lord had given to him are for signs.
Ch 9 Unto us a child is born, foretelling of a coming messiah. The Lord will use Manasseh and Ephraim to smite Israel.
Ch 10 Woe unto them that decree unrighteousness. The Assyrian is coming to spoil Israel. When the Lord is finished with judging both Israel and Jerusalem, he will punish Assyria.
Ch 11 A rod shall come forth from the stem of Jesse. See Ruth ch 4 & Luke 3. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb and the lion shall eat straw, foretells the time of the 1000 year reign of Christ.
Ch 12 It will be a day of joy when the messiah and Holy One of Israel comes. See John 4, Romans 10:13, Mark 1:24, Luke 3:34, Acts 2:27, Acts 3:14, Acts 13:35 ,1 John 2:20 
Ch 13 Babylon  will be made desolate in the day of the Lord - both the Babylon of that day and the one to come. Sun darkened and moon shall not give its light. See Rev 6, Matt 24, Luke 21
Ch 14  The Lord will have mercy on Jacob. Is what happened in 1948 with the founding of Israel a fulfillment of this? In John 3:36 the Bible says those who don't believe on the Son, the wrath of God is on them. This is likely speaking of the return from captivity. Satan is to be cast out of heaven (see Ezekiel 28, Rev 12, 13). Those who were their captors shall be their captives and servants. Likens the king of Babylon unto Lucifer.  Palestina (Palestine? Exodus 15:14) told not to rejoice as their judgement is coming too. 
Ch 15 & 16 Moab is to be laid waste. Land of the Moabites. See Genesis 19 where we find Moab. Within 3 years, Moab and its glory will be held in contempt and there will be few left.
Ch 17 Damascus will be a city no more. The cities of Aroer are forsaken. Verse 3 "they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel" is not a positive thing, because Israel is to be brought low.
Ch 18 Woe unto Ethiopia
Ch 19 Egypt to be burdened, then healed. Yet, they will come to know the Lord and the Lord will know them.  A highway out of Egypt to Assyria. Lot of parallels with Revelation 9, 14, and Isaiah 13. Note the same language in verse 1 with Revelation 1:7. Then inn verses 20 and 21, we see the Egyptians doing sacrifices unto the Lord, strangely similar with passages in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 concerning the temple that involve sacrifices and priests. However, in this passage in Isaiah this could be referring to a time when either Ptolemy or Alexander the great relieved Egypt from the Assyrians, but also a future fulfillment with the gospel and the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks on the subject of Prophecy in I Corinthians 13, as seeking through a glass darkly. Also note Hebrews 7:12, there has been a change in the priesthood and the law. Also note the highway out of Egypt also mentioned in chapter 11.
Ch 20 Tartan, king of Assyria comes against Ashdod (city in Israel). Isaiah was to walk naked and barefoot 3 years as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia. They were both to be lead away captive naked by the Assyrians. They (Ashdod and the children of Israel) were not going to be able to look to the Egyptians for help against the Assyrians.
Ch 21 The Medes are coming and Babylon is to fall. See Daniel ch 5,6,7, also Jeremiah 50,51. Verse 9 uses similar language with Revelation 18:2.  Romans 4:17, God speaks of things that are not, as if they were. Also the burden of Dumah (Idumea), down near Edom, see also Joshua 15. Burden of Arabia, see also Jeremiah 25.
Ch 22 This chapter along with most of the 1st half of Isaiah is mainly concerned with the judgment coming upon the children of Israel. The phrase "valley of vision" is used nowhere else in the Bible, but this chapter is foreshadowing the last days as well as the judgments coming in the immediate future. Valleys are often where battles are fought and Joel ch 2 mentions a term "valley of decision" and is a clear reference to the day of the Lord.
24 Burden of Tyre. For 70 years Tyre would sing as a harlot but then commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth. Land of the Chaldeans was founded by the Assyrians.
Ch 25 Isaiah gives God praise, and speaks of a time when we will say this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us.
Ch 26 The righteous shall sing a new song and the righteous dead shall rise and sing also. Come into thy chambers and shut thy doors for a little while until the indignation be overpast. 
Ch 27 God will make Israel shall blossom and bud and leviathan (the devil) the serpent destroyed (see Rev 12:9, 19:15, 20:2)
Ch 28 Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim. Scornful men rule the people in Jerusalem.
Ch 29 Speaking of a city named Ariel, which is most likely referring to Jerusalem and God's people (see Galatians 3). In verse 4 it seems is speaking of when Jerusalem is destroyed, its story becomes as foreboding as someone with a familiar spirit. Isaiah is looking forward to a later time here. Nations are going to be made as if they are in a deep sleep, drunk but not of wine, to gather against Jerusalem. There are different types of unbelievers. They can not simply read the Bible and get saved, Acts 8. See also II Thessalonians 2 - in the last days, God is going to send a strong delusion to a world that refused to receive the truth, but the day of the Lord will not come until the man of sin is revealed.  Also Jeremiah 6:30 concerning reprobates, those who God has rejected. See also I Cor 2:14 unbelievers cant receive the Spirit of God. Jesus refers to this refers to this passage in Matthew 15. Verses 18 & 19 speak of the coming messiah who will heal the deaf and blind.
Ch 30 Woe to the rebellious children of Israel.  They take counsel but not of the Lord and seek help from Egypt against the Assyrians, but Egypt will not prevent whats coming.  The Lord alone will beat down the Assyrians.
Ch 31 Again, woe to those that do evil and seek help from Egypt, both will fall. The Lord Himself will defend Jerusalem. Is this speaking of a near or far future time, since we know between the time Isaiah spoke this, Jerusalem has fallen.
Ch 32 A king shall rule. Men shall be scarce. The liberal shall be called vile.
Ch 33 While speaking before the captivity begins, seems to be speaking of a time much different than when the return from exile takes place
Ch 34 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies
Ch 35 The wilderness will blossom, the Lord comes with a vengeance. The lame will walk and the dumb sing.  Clearly this is still talking about the kingdom to come.
Ch 36 This chapter and the next is also mentioned in II Kings 18 & II Chronicles 32. The king of Assyria sends Rabshakeh with a great army against the cities of Judah and takes them (except for Jerusalem), but first accuses them of relying on Egypt even though Hezekiah had not, and then mocks the Jews and their trust in God in verse 7. This part seems at first to say Rabshakeh is stating the Hezekiah has done something against the Lord, but we know from II Kings and II Chronicles that Hezekiah done good in tearing down the alters to false gods and the high places. So in vs 7, it is actually blaming Hezekiah for tearing down these high places as if that was a bad thing. A similar story in Judges 17 where a man makes a molten image in the name of God, which was the wrong thing to do, but on the surface it might seem to some that they were worshiping God.
Ch 37 Hezekiah hears the message and sends word to Isaiah, who replies with a message to not be afraid of the words of the Assyrians that they have said and have blasphemed the Lord. The Lord tells Isaiah that the king of Assyria will return the same way he came and will not take Jerusalem. The Lord smote 185,000 Assyrians in their camp. King Sennacherib then departs the same way he came, goes to Nineveh where his two sons kill him, just as the Lord had told Isaiah (verse 7)
Ch 38  Hezekiah is deathly sick and prays. The Lord tells Isaiah that Hezekiah will get 15 more years and will yet deliver the city the Assyrians and as a sign, a sun dial will be made to go backwards 10 degrees. Isaiah told them to lay a lump of figs as a plaister (a plaster or paste) on the boil of the king.
Ch 39 The king of Babylon sends a letter and then his son to visit Hezekiah after hearing that he was sick, who then shows him all of his treasure and armor.  Isaiah informs Hezekiah that all that he has will be carried into Babylon and that his sons (not yet born) will become eunuchs. Hezekiah replies that at least he will have peace in his days, seemingly being self-centered.
Ch 40 A message of comfort for God's people and a reminder of God's power and might, nothing else compares to Him. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness.
Ch 41 God telling Isaiah to consider who it is that has done the things He has done and to put their trust in Him. He is the first and the last. 
Ch 42 Behold my servant who will bring judgement to the Gentiles. See Matthew 12:14-21. Who is this 'mine elect' being referred to in verse 1?  The physical nation Israel and the Jews?  See Galatians 3:14-16. He will make the lame walk and the blind to see. 
Ch 43 Israel has been redeemed, they are told to remember who has done it. The people shall be gathered from all directions.
Ch 44 God calls to the people as Jacob His servant and Israel His chosen, that He has blotted out their sins and calls them to return unto Him. The decayed places will be raised up and the temple built.
Ch 45 Cyrus, king of Persia will subdue the nations. God has girded up Jacob even though they did not know Him. The Egyptians and Sabeans shall come unto Israel in chains and praise them saying surely God is in thee. Israel is to be saved with an everlasting salvation.
Ch 46 Also concerns bringing the Persians and compels the children of Israel to return unto the Lord, who declares the end from the beginning.
Ch 47 Judgement coming upon Babylon, referred to as a lady. See also  Revelation 19
Ch 48 God's message for Jacob, called Israel, who make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth. He has refined them in the furnace of affliction. The Lord does this so that His name is not polluted.
Ch 49 Isaiah tells us that The Lord had called him to be a preacher. Verse 6 & 7 are prophetic of the coming messiah, Jesus Christ. Judgement comes for those that oppress the children of Israel.
Ch 50 Message to the children of Israel, that for their own transgressions have they been sold and their mothers put away (symbolic). Isaiah says that the Lord has given him the tongue of the learned.
Ch 51 God calls those that seek righteousness to look unto Him and promises to comfort Zion. The Lord promises to make the desert like the garden of eden, this hasn't happened yet.  Obviously referring to the millennial kingdom, see Isaiah 11 and 43:18,19. God is promising to return His people and take away the cup of affliction and give it to those that have afflicted them.
Ch 52 The Lord is telling the people they will be set free, that no uncircumcised or unclean thing will enter Jerusalem from henceforth. 
Also mentioned in Isaiah 66, Rev 21,Galatians 4 (esp vs 24-31) this chapter is speaking of a distant event and a future Jerusalem.  Has this been fulfilled yet - No.
Ch 53 The coming messiah.  See also John 12 (esp vs 38-40). Some Jews and skeptics claim this chapter is referring to Israel, but it is clearly speaking in the singular and of an individual, even in the same sentence that includes the people. It's worth noting that many Jews today have come to accept Jesus as Lord from this very passage, and that many Synagogues when they begin reading Isaiah, will skip this chapter. 
Ch 54 Fear not, God is going to bless the people with children. Their seed (Christ, see Galatians 3:16) shall inherit the Gentiles, making another prophetic statement of a time when the Gentiles would be grafted in (see Romans 11:17). This and the next few chapters, some will claim that the Bible is telling us the Jews are going to rule the world. Yes and no.  Yes, in that the saved and redeemed will be priests and kings (Rev 1:6, 5:10) and rule in a kingdom that is to come.  Yes also, in that Jesus Christ who is the physical seed of Abraham will rule with a rod of iron. No, in that the Jews as the physical seed of Abraham are not going to rule the world as a people, simply because they are Jews (see Matthew 21:43).
Ch 55 God calling people to return unto Him and for an everlasting covenant, including the mercies of David, of whom the messiah would come and eventually rule over an everlasting kingdom.
Ch 56 A call to those outside the physical lineage of Israel to call upon the lord and keep His covenant. Especially verse 8. Another example is Acts 10:34, God is not a respecter of persons. Rebuke and condemnation of the watchers (the religious leaders), Hebrews 13:17
Ch 57 When the righteous perish, none lay it to heart that they are taken away from the evil to come. Rebuke of the wicked. He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall inherit the land.
Ch 58 Verse 1 is a call to preach strongly and to call out sin, unlike how some will say that preachers shouldn't raise their voice or be too negative.
Ch 59 The Lord can still save and hear, but our iniquities separate us from Him. Shedding innocent blood (eg. abortion). The Redeemer shall come to Zion. Verse 21 is yet another promise to preserve His Word from generation for ever.
Ch 60 Another message about the Gentiles will come to know the God of Israel. Verses 11 & 12 is referring to a time of the new Jerusalem. At no time has Israel ever been a place of righteousness, yet it will one day when the son of David, Jesus Christ rules in Jerusalem. Verse 18 & 19 are clearly a case of this, as this has never happened - yet and is hard to fathom the light of the Lord replacing the light from the sun.
Ch 61 Isaiah proclaims the spirit of the Lord is upon him to preach good tidings to the meek who are captive. Continuation of ch 60
Ch 62 The Lord will give us a new name, Rev 2:17, Jerusalem and God's people will be redeemed. 
Ch 63 God will have vengeance and the winepress of his wrath will flow, see Rev 14
Ch 64 Isaiah cries out to the Lord to restore his people and his city, Jerusalem. The mountains will flow and the nations tremble at His presence. See Rev ch 6
Ch 65 God says he has stretched out His hand all day long and provoked Him to anger, yet will the Lord be found by those that sought not for Him. See also Romans 10:1 (esp vs 20,21) and continues in Romans 11, also Galatians 3.  Notice verse 9 mentions the seed of Jacob, see Galatians ch 3. God's elect, see Isaiah 42, Romans 8:33
New heavens and a new earth. Valley of Achor see Joshua 7
Verse 12 God calls but not all answer, bye bye Calvinism.
Ch 66 The people have chosen their own ways, yet God will choose their delusions and fears, because when He called, none answered. God opens and closes the womb. Verse 11 likens how He will comfort them like the milk from the breasts of a mother as consolations, see I Peter 2:2, John 1:1.  Behold the Lord is to come with fire and chariots and by fire and sword will He plead with all flesh (see Rev 19 & II Thess 1). Nations and tongues shall be gathered and will see the glory of the Lord. The city of Jerusalem and nation of Israel was not then, nor is it now a holy place. The "holy land" is anything but holy. There will be new heavens and a new earth and will look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against the Lord, see also Mark 9:44-46 (which counterfeit bibles such as the the NIV omits). Amen

On Divorce and Re-marriage

  The Bible is clear that marriage has been from the beginning, intended to be between one man and one woman, for life.  God made woman as a help meet for man. It is something I struggled to reconcile with as well. I Corinthians 7 is the most common passage people will turn to (or be taught by someone) in order to justify divorce and remarriage. Paul is making it clear that it his opinion he is giving (and NOT from the Lord), regarding not being under bondage, but peace for us regarding the unbelieving spouse departing.  There is no mention of being free to remarry in I Corinthians 7.  This would contradict what Jesus taught in Matthew 5, 19 (see also Mark 10 and Luke 16).  Paul also speaks on this in Romans 7.

Now some will point out that the passages in Matthew 5 & 19 give an exception for fornication.  This is yet another reason to look into why some zealots like myself adhere to the King James Bible, for being based on the Textus Receptus, not the Sinaiticus & Vaticanus.  I'm speaking of the books like ESV, NIV and the rest. The ESV uses "sexual immorality" in place of fornication, where the NIV just uses adultery.  So why does the King James use term fornication?  There is a difference - one is done within a marriage and the other is outside of marriage.  

The book of Matthew addresses a mostly Hebrew audience that would have been more familiar with the Mosaic law.  Under mosaic law, you didn't divorce your adulterous wife, but rather she was to be put to death.  Fornication however, was something that involved sexual activity before marriage. That was the exception Jesus was speaking of.  See Deuteronomy 22 & 24.  Paul, having been once a Pharisee would have had been well schooled in the Mosaic law.  And no we are not still under the law, and Jesus was not contradicting the law.  He says in that same part of Matthew 5, that He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill.  

The passage in Matthew 19 is where the pharisees are tempting Jesus into contradicting the law or Moses regarding divorce.  He puts them to silence and merely reminds them that from the beginning that God's original plan was for one man and one woman - for life.  This is yet another reason that we, as believers need to be very careful who we choose for a spouse.  In Judges chapter 11, a man named Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord he regrets, but has to adhere to it.  

So the options for someone whose spouse might or has left them
(1) try to stay with them or reconcile the marriage
(2) remain unmarried until the departing spouse dies