Bible Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Bible stories and symbols are well-known, but there's deeper meaning.
• Deeper connections in Bible stories reveal God's inspiration.
• Examples: Crown of thorns to Garden of Eden, Jesus' baptism to Exodus.
• 23 deeper meanings compiled for better scripture understanding.

Important Bible Stories and Symbols

Isaac and Rebecca

• Genesis features a lengthy chapter on Abraham's servant finding a bride for Isaac.
• Symbolism: Abraham is God the Father, Isaac is Jesus.
• Connections: Isaac's absence mirrors Jesus' ascension.
• Eleazar symbolizes the Holy Spirit, tasked with uniting Isaac (Jesus) with Rebecca (Church).

Jesus and the Adulteress

• John 8 features Jesus writing in the sand.
• Possible meanings of writing:
  • Legal trap set by Pharisees.
  • Jesus mimicking God's inscription of the Ten Commandments.

Crown of Thorns

• Symbol of hope and breaking the curse of sin.
• Genesis 3: Thorns introduced as a curse due to the Fall.
• Jesus' crown signifies breaking the curse.

Psalm 23

• Depiction of God's protection and guidance.
• Rod and staff: protection from evil and guidance from God.

Unequally Yolked

• 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns against relationships with unbelievers.
• Symbolism of yoke: Partnership in faith, disruption from unequal partners.

David and Goliath

• David takes on a different role in Gath after defeating Goliath.
• Irony: Becomes a Philistine defender, yet God's plans persist.

Prophecies and Connections

Isaiah 53

• Predicts Jesus' burial with the rich, fulfilled by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

Mary and the Ark of the Covenant

• Luke's Gospel connects Mary with the Ark.
• Symbolism: Mary as the vessel of divine presence, Jesus as the fulfilled presence of God.

Genesis and Jesus

• Proverbs 8 identifies wisdom as Jesus.
• Hebrew word 'rashit' could imply Jesus in Genesis.

Jesus' Crucifixion

• Coincided with Passover sacrificial lambs.
• Represents Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.

Gifts of the Magi

• Symbolize Jesus' roles: King (Gold), High Priest (Frankincense), Savior (Myrrh).

New Testament Gospel Openings

• Connections to Old Testament: Genealogies, prophecies, themes of light and darkness.

Decrees and Birth of Jesus

• Parallels between decree of Bethlehem and return from Babylonian exile.

Pentecost and Babel

• Acts 2 vs. Babel: Unity through the Holy Spirit replaces division through sin.

Elhanan and Goliath

• Confusion over who killed Goliath clarified: Different accounts in Samuel and Chronicles.

Jesus' Temple Cleansing

• Focus on Gentile courts, advocating for Gentile worship in temple.

Levites and the Priesthood

• Received priesthood through zeal against idolatry.

Jesus' Name

• 'Jesus Christ' etymology: Joshua (God saves) and Messiah (anointed one).

Nephilim and Lifespan

• Genesis 6: Sons of God viewed as descendants of Seth.
• 120 years as countdown to the flood, not a lifespan limit.

Jesus Walks on Water

• Links to Red Sea parting: Demonstrates dominion over death.

Jesus Baptism and Temptation

• Jesus' baptism mirrors Israelites' baptism via the Red Sea.
• Temptation parallels Israel's wilderness testing.

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman

• Mark 7: Jesus' interaction with the Syrophoenician woman parallels Old Testament stories of inclusion.

These notes cover the main points and connections made in the lecture, offering a deeper understanding of biblical stories and their interlinkages.