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...

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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.

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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: BIBLEFIBER for a 10% discount!

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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 episode offers insightful perspectives on themes of restoration, divine presence, and the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy.

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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 visualize. Thankfully, there are scholars who have carefully analyzed every measurement and created illustrated renditions of Ezekiel’s square temple city. Although these illustrations are not easily adaptable to a podcast format, I will strive to convey the significance of his temple vision.

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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 Israelites emerged only once the battle was already over. Their only task was to organize a cleanup operation. They began by collecting all the weaponry left behind by their defeated enemies. Ezekiel noted that they gathered enough shields, bows, arrows, and war clubs. However, instead of storing the weapons in their armory, they repurposed them for fuel. Gog’s captured weaponry would provide them with firewood for seven years (39:9). In other words, with the defeat of Gog and its allies, Israel entered into an era of total peace.

Ezekiel gave a new twist on the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah, which stated that in the Messianic age, people would turn their swords into plowshares (Isa. 2:4, Micah 4:3). The Israelites sensed that this was the last war. Ezekiel also notes the irony: “And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them” (39:10), as the hordes had initially invaded Israel, intending to plunder its cities and villages.

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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 for those attempting to decode the mysteries of the end times. However, the complexities of the oracle are manageable, and its insights are less sensational than often believed.

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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.

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