The 2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed by the President may have some disturbing effects on the future of family values. With little fanfare, provisions within this law have the potential to devalue life, weaken our society and undermine our families.
Among the provisions of the law are the following:
Abstinence-based education programs were defunded and replaced with condom-based sex education programs.
A needle exchange program was funded which will allow drug addicts to exchange their used needles for new needles. Out-of-control political correctness is now causing our law makers to down-play the illegality of drug usage, and instead enabling the harmful activity by suggesting that they are in the business of preventing the spread of infections.
So-called Family Planning funding has been increased from $10 million to over $300 million, with the largest recipient being Planned Parenthood.
Through the back door, this new law is supporting China’s mandatory one-child policy.
Public funding for abortions in Washington D.C. was enabled.
A legalized medical marijuana provision was inserted into the law.
Step-by-step, our government is attacking our basic family values. For an in-depth view of the attack on family values, Read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception by Larry J. Tate. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ and also go to http://www.shadowtruthbook.com/
Source: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2739.cfm
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Is Spanking Harmful?
More and more modern parents are abandoning physical punishment of their children, and embracing the more politically-correct timeout, along with other non-physical methods of discipline.
A corporal punishment study was done by Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her findings, announced early in 2010, stated that claims for not spanking children simply fail to hold up.
She found that children who were physically disciplined actually performed better than those who weren’t disciplined. This included school grades, optimism, outlook on life, willingness to perform volunteer work, and the ambition to attend college. In addition to that, they weren’t any more likely to get involved in fights or become depressed. She also found that children who were never spanked tended to have behavioral problems.
A study done by the University of Akron found that children raised where there is a legal ban on parental corporal punishment more likely to be involved in crime. This study focused on Sweden which implemented a complete ban on physical discipline about 30 years ago. The study found that teen violence tended to increase among children who grew up under the spanking ban.
Other countries, such as Germany, Italy and New Zealand have also adopted bans on spanking. In New Zealand, the use of force to correct children actually entails criminal penalties. In that country, a parent isn’t even permitted to take a child’s hand and force him to go where the child refuses to go.
There are plenty of feel-good organizations that are promoting anti-spanking policies. In the United States, the National Association of Social Workers states that all physical punishment has harmful effects and should be stopped. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that spanking is less effective than the timeout. In 2007, the California government actually attempted to pass legislation to impose a ban on spanking children. Thankfully, that legislation did not become law.
To learn more about non-physical child discipline and other politically-correct tendencies of our modern society, read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception by Larry J. Tate. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or http://www.shadowtruthbook.com/.
A corporal punishment study was done by Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her findings, announced early in 2010, stated that claims for not spanking children simply fail to hold up.
She found that children who were physically disciplined actually performed better than those who weren’t disciplined. This included school grades, optimism, outlook on life, willingness to perform volunteer work, and the ambition to attend college. In addition to that, they weren’t any more likely to get involved in fights or become depressed. She also found that children who were never spanked tended to have behavioral problems.
A study done by the University of Akron found that children raised where there is a legal ban on parental corporal punishment more likely to be involved in crime. This study focused on Sweden which implemented a complete ban on physical discipline about 30 years ago. The study found that teen violence tended to increase among children who grew up under the spanking ban.
Other countries, such as Germany, Italy and New Zealand have also adopted bans on spanking. In New Zealand, the use of force to correct children actually entails criminal penalties. In that country, a parent isn’t even permitted to take a child’s hand and force him to go where the child refuses to go.
There are plenty of feel-good organizations that are promoting anti-spanking policies. In the United States, the National Association of Social Workers states that all physical punishment has harmful effects and should be stopped. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that spanking is less effective than the timeout. In 2007, the California government actually attempted to pass legislation to impose a ban on spanking children. Thankfully, that legislation did not become law.
To learn more about non-physical child discipline and other politically-correct tendencies of our modern society, read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception by Larry J. Tate. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or http://www.shadowtruthbook.com/.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Obama's Political Correctness at Work
In a move that is being hailed by gays, lesbians and transgendered persons, President Obama made his first appointment of a transgender person to a federal post. Amanda Simpson, formerly known as Mitch, was appointed to be the new Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce in the first week of January, 2010.
Until this point, Obama walked a fine line when dealing with members of the gay and transgender community. He was widely supported by gay voters in 2008, but soon came under harsh criticism from many of those same proponents for not acting fast or hard enough to expand their rights.
Equality among mankind dictates that discrimination must be done away with. Consequently, we as a nation were right to end discrimination against blacks and women. We were right to guarantee the same rights to housing, jobs and opportunities to every person regardless of their race or gender.
Now, the term "discrimination" is morphing into a new definition. Now, the choice a person makes regarding the gender they want to be is somehow entering the field of "discrimination." Appointing a black person to a high position is a right, thanks to our anti-discrimination laws. However, this latest appointment falls under the "New Political Correctness" frame of mind.
LGBT rights groups are overjoyed at the "progress" being made by this appointment. Amanda claims that he/she is highly qualified for this position, and that qualification should be the only factor to consider for such an appointment. However, he/she is concerned that his/her appointment will be labeled as a token that was hired because of his/her sexual identity rather than on his/her merits. He/she has expressed worries that his/her appointment was merely to fill a quota or to appease the LGBT groups.
One of the first statements of this new appointee is that he/she is excited about the opportunity to see hundreds of other transgenders being promoted as a result of his/her latest appointment.
In looking at many of the President's choices, it is clear that the new political correctness dictated this most recent appointment. The President's choices reflect his promotion of transgenerism. This new definition of discrimination is deconstructing one of the most fundamental concepts known to mankind. This appontment, and other similar appointments are effectively asking the rest of society to radically reorder the ways in which our culture views "gender."
To see where this sort of re-definition of discrimination is taking us, read "Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception" by Larry J. Tate. For further information, go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or go to http://shadowtruthbook.com/.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Today's Issues
Uncertainty seems to the in everyone’s thoughts today. Where are we today? How did we get to where we are now? Where are we going tomorrow? Is our nation heading for a decline?
Troubling issues are swirling around us and throwing us around like a tornado. We hear that human-caused Global Warming is going to change the face of the earth. On the other hand, we are witnessing record-low temperatures. Scientists and politicians on one side are debunking those on the other side. We, the common people are getting dizzy trying to choose which side is the right side.
The stock market is in free-fall. Gasoline prices went through the roof. Then they went to the basement. To hear our politicians talk, we would be led to believe that fuel prices need to go back up again. What? Up again?
Banks and insurance companies are failing. Auto makers are on the brink of bankruptcy. Housing prices are falling. The government is printing money and bailing out failing entities. The dollar is growing weak when compared to other world currencies. Our leaders are developing financial recovery plans. Economic fears are discussed in nearly every news article we see. Many of our leaders believe we need to pay more taxes. Others say we need to implement Universal Health Care. Social Security is said to be insolvent.
How can we deal with all of these uncertainties? Many answers are being suggested. Debates are getting heated. Which answer is the best answer? Who really knows?
Our government is going forward with its intended cure for our many ills. Is that good enough? As always we, the people should not sit idly by while others make our decisions for us. Each and every one of us has the responsibility to make our own decisions for our own future. Don’t wait for others to decide our fate. Do what our forefathers did in the face of adversity: press forward and do everything you know to do for yourself, your family, and your community. Make good decisions and go forward with your life.
There are many answers to the world’s problems. But, the most important answer is becoming increasingly overlooked. The most stabilizing force in the world is a deep and profound belief in God. Our proof-oriented society is drifting toward discarding a walk with God that was an important part of our fore-father’s lives. In addition to moving forward and doing all we know to do for our financial lives, we must also live for God like we have never done before.
God’s blessings will overtake us as individuals, as a nation, and as a world. Today’s issues will begin dissolving before our very eyes.
Larry Tate
Troubling issues are swirling around us and throwing us around like a tornado. We hear that human-caused Global Warming is going to change the face of the earth. On the other hand, we are witnessing record-low temperatures. Scientists and politicians on one side are debunking those on the other side. We, the common people are getting dizzy trying to choose which side is the right side.
The stock market is in free-fall. Gasoline prices went through the roof. Then they went to the basement. To hear our politicians talk, we would be led to believe that fuel prices need to go back up again. What? Up again?
Banks and insurance companies are failing. Auto makers are on the brink of bankruptcy. Housing prices are falling. The government is printing money and bailing out failing entities. The dollar is growing weak when compared to other world currencies. Our leaders are developing financial recovery plans. Economic fears are discussed in nearly every news article we see. Many of our leaders believe we need to pay more taxes. Others say we need to implement Universal Health Care. Social Security is said to be insolvent.
How can we deal with all of these uncertainties? Many answers are being suggested. Debates are getting heated. Which answer is the best answer? Who really knows?
Our government is going forward with its intended cure for our many ills. Is that good enough? As always we, the people should not sit idly by while others make our decisions for us. Each and every one of us has the responsibility to make our own decisions for our own future. Don’t wait for others to decide our fate. Do what our forefathers did in the face of adversity: press forward and do everything you know to do for yourself, your family, and your community. Make good decisions and go forward with your life.
There are many answers to the world’s problems. But, the most important answer is becoming increasingly overlooked. The most stabilizing force in the world is a deep and profound belief in God. Our proof-oriented society is drifting toward discarding a walk with God that was an important part of our fore-father’s lives. In addition to moving forward and doing all we know to do for our financial lives, we must also live for God like we have never done before.
God’s blessings will overtake us as individuals, as a nation, and as a world. Today’s issues will begin dissolving before our very eyes.
Larry Tate
An Open Letter to the Nation of Israel
The nation of Israel was created by God. It's borders were pre-determined by God. God promised Abraham that his seed would have possession of that land. The land was conquered by the Hebrew people when by faith, they marched into the land and faced their enemies. They realized that as they raised their swords and attacked their emenies, God was working through their swords to destroy the enemy. Any of the land that was not thoroughly conquered at that time was inexorably linked to their level of faith and God's promise.
Through faith, determination, extreme effort and God's will, you have reclaimed much of your rightful land. Now, it seems as though the whole world is standing against you and your rights to that God-given land. Those who oppose you are your Philistenes; they are your Amalekites, your Hittites, your Jebusites, and your Amorites. The ten spies saw the mighty enemies in their walled cities; but Joshua and Caleb looked through the enemies as though they were mere apparitions, and saw the mighty power of God's promise. Remember Joshua's words to the Hebrew people:..."neither fear ye the people of the land...their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not." Numbers 14:9 (KJV)
As you now face the opposition and the hate of the world, do not fear; do not back down. The world's power and might does not matter. The only thing that matters is your faith in God's promises, and your determination to step out and face your mighty enemies regardless of the odds against you.
Nation of Israel--do not back down to the pressures and intimidation placed on you by the nations of the world. Their power and might is backed up only by human strength and knowledge. Your own power and might is backed up by God's strength and His knowledge. Nation of Israel--protect and defend your currently occupied territories. Surge forward and conquer the remaining portions of your territory that was promised to your father, Abraham. You cannot fall; you cannot fail. You are predestined to be the seat of power from which the whole world will be ruled. Take your rightful place. Become the nation God intended you to be. Read "The Journey." http://www.thejourneybook.net/
Through faith, determination, extreme effort and God's will, you have reclaimed much of your rightful land. Now, it seems as though the whole world is standing against you and your rights to that God-given land. Those who oppose you are your Philistenes; they are your Amalekites, your Hittites, your Jebusites, and your Amorites. The ten spies saw the mighty enemies in their walled cities; but Joshua and Caleb looked through the enemies as though they were mere apparitions, and saw the mighty power of God's promise. Remember Joshua's words to the Hebrew people:..."neither fear ye the people of the land...their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not." Numbers 14:9 (KJV)
As you now face the opposition and the hate of the world, do not fear; do not back down. The world's power and might does not matter. The only thing that matters is your faith in God's promises, and your determination to step out and face your mighty enemies regardless of the odds against you.
Nation of Israel--do not back down to the pressures and intimidation placed on you by the nations of the world. Their power and might is backed up only by human strength and knowledge. Your own power and might is backed up by God's strength and His knowledge. Nation of Israel--protect and defend your currently occupied territories. Surge forward and conquer the remaining portions of your territory that was promised to your father, Abraham. You cannot fall; you cannot fail. You are predestined to be the seat of power from which the whole world will be ruled. Take your rightful place. Become the nation God intended you to be. Read "The Journey." http://www.thejourneybook.net/
Timeline of the journey to the Promised Land
For many interesting details, read The Journey: Searching for the Promised Land by Larry J. Tate. More information on this exciting book can be found at http://www.tatebook.com/.
The Hebrews were stranded for over 400 years in the Land of Egypt. Tradition told them that there was a Promised Land out there somewhere. However, there was a vast wilderness between them and their Promised Land, also known as Canaan.
To their South and West was a great desert. To their East was a barren wilderness known as Sinai. To their North was the Great Sea. Between them and their rumored Promised Land was the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, along with plenty of desert and mountains.
Six hundred thirty-five years earlier, Abraham had been promised that his seed would take possession of the fertile land of Canaan. The land spread East to West from the Great Sea to the Dead Sea. The southern border ran from the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to just below Gaza. The northern border was near Hamath.
Isaac was born when Abraham was one hundred years old. Jacob was born when Isaac was sixty years old.
Jacobs Sons
By Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issacher, Zebulun
By Bilhah: Dan, Naphtali
By Zilpah: Gad, Asher
By Rachael: Joseph, Benjamin
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph’s sons were Manaseh and Ephriam. In Egypt, he found favor with Pharaoh and rose to second in command. Eventually, the entire 70 descendents of Jacob come to live in Egypt. There, Pharaoh offered the best of the Egyptian land to the Children of Israel.
Over a period of 430 years from arrival to the Exodus, Israel multiplied. Many Pharaohs came and went. Eventually, the Pharaohs no longer felt any obligation to the Children of Israel, and became fearful of their prosperity and numbers. So eventually, one of the Pharaohs forced them into slavery. The harder they were worked, the more they multiplied. Pharaoh ordered Israeli midwives to kill all new-born boys, but they refused. Pharaoh then ordered his own people to throw all new-born boys into the Nile.
Moses was born in the house of Levi. Moses was hidden in a basket along the bank of the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and he was raised in Pharaoh’s house.
As an adult, Moses kills an Egyptian who had been beating a Jew. Then one day when he asked two Hebrews why they were fighting each other, one of them asked him if he was gong to kill him also. Pharaoh heard of the incident and tried to kill Moses. Moses fled to Midian. There he married Zipporah.
Moses and his brother Aaron meet with Pharaoh and plead for the Hebrew’s release.
Through a series of denials, there were many plagues. At the first meeting Moses went in and simply asked for the Hebrews to be freed. At this point, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrews to get their own straw.
During the second meeting, Moses Rod became a serpent.
After the third meeting, the Nile River turned to blood. Moses and Aaron met Pharaoh on the shore of the Nile River. Aaron had earlier turned his walking stick into a snake but the King’s magicians had been able to duplicate that. Moses told Pharaoh that he would show him God’s power. Aaron held his stick over the river and the water turned into blood. The fish all died and there was blood everywhere in Egypt where there should have been water. The king’s magicians were able to duplicate the feat and Pharaoh refused Moses’ request.
Seven days later, the fourth meeting resulted in the plague of the frogs. God told Moses: “Go to the king and tell him that the Lord says, ‘Let my people go, so that they can worship me. If you refuse, I will punish your country by covering it with frogs.’” So Aaron held his walking stick over the river and an abundance of frogs came out onto the land. They were everywhere, even in the palace. The magicians were able to repeat the trick but Pharaoh had to summon Moses and ask him to get rid of the frogs. Pharaoh promised to let the people go if Moses would ask his God to remove the frogs. The frogs were removed but the king changed his mind and refused to let Moses lead them out.
The fifth meeting resulted in the plague of the gnats. Aaron struck the ground with his stick and all the dust of Egypt was turned into gnats. There were gnats everywhere and the magicians of Egypt could not duplicate it. The magicians told Pharaoh that God had done it but he refused to let the people go.
The sixth meeting resulted in the plague of the flies. Moses and Aaron approached the king again to let the Israelites go and worship in the desert. He threatened the Pharaoh with an infestation of flies if he didn’t comply. This time a distinction was made between the Egyptians and the Jews. The flies would not bother the Jews. The next day God sent flies everywhere in Egypt except Goshen, where the Israelites were. Pharaoh promised to let the people go if Moses would just get rid of the flies. Moses prayed to God and every fly died. The King remained stubborn and still would not let them go.
The seventh meeting resulted in a plague on the cattle of Egypt. This plague caused the death of all of the Egyptian’s livestock, horses, sheep, camels, goats, donkeys and cattle. None of the Israelite’s animals were touched. The king remained steadfast and would not let them go.
The eighth meeting resulted in the plague of boils. The Lord told Moses to take a handful of ashes from a furnace and throw the ashes up into the air. The ash spread all over Egypt and everyone had boils and open sores. The magicians would not come to the king because they were too sore with their boils. The king remained adamant because now God was making him stubborn.
The ninth meeting resulted in the plague of hail. A massive hailstorm was next on the agenda. The king was warned that everyone should stay inside to avoid being killed by hailstones. The hail destroyed the crops in the field and killed the people who didn’t heed the warning. It hailed everywhere in Egypt except Goshen. Pharaoh begged Moses to ask God to stop the hail and he would let the people go. Moses prayed and the hail stopped but Pharaoh still would not let them go.
The tenth meeting resulted in the plague of locusts. Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh again. Pharaoh was willing to let the Jewish men go into the desert to worship, but not the women and children. Moses refused and the king denied his request. So God sent a cloud of locusts that covered the land and ate everything that the hail had not destroyed. “Not a green thing was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.” God continued to harden Pharaoh’s heart and he would not let the people go.
The eleventh meeting resulted in the plague of darkness. God told Moses to raise his hand toward the sky and darkness would fall on Egypt. There was total darkness in all of Egypt for three days. Only the children of Israel had light. Pharaoh offered to let the people go but not their animals. Moses refused that offer and the king told him that he never wanted to see him again.
The twelfth meeting resulted in the death of all firstborn males. Moses told the king that every firstborn would be killed. Everyone from the Pharaoh’s son to the slave woman’s son would die. God instructed Moses to tell his people to make sure every household had a lamb or goat, a one-year-old male without any defects. On the given day, they were to slaughter, cook and eat the animal and put its blood on their doorposts. The angel of death would see the blood when he came to kill the firstborn and would “pass over” when he saw the blood. All of the firstborn of people and animals of the Egyptians died that night and Pharaoh sent the Israelites away.
After the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh permitted Moses and the Hebrew nation to leave Egypt. They could not take any short cuts to the Promised Land. The shortest route was known as the Way of the Philistines. It was just a ten day journey (216 miles). This primary highway may have had Egyptian forts, making usage of the highway improbable for the Hebrews to use. There were two other primary highways that could have been taken, but were not. One was the Way of Shur, and the other was the Way to Arabia. But Moses chose to lead 600,000 men plus women, children and livestock through the barren wilderness. There were probably two to three million people following Moses.
The first seven days involved traveling day and night to Succoth where they gathered the bones of Joseph. Then they marched to Etham where they were accompanied by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Then, they marched to Pi Hahiroth on the banks of the Red Sea. Pharaoh was in pursuit of the Hebrews and caught up with them there. He found the Hebrews trapped in the desert between him, the sea, and the mountains.
The Hebrews complained loudly to Moses. Why did they have to die in the desert? It would have been better to be slaves in Egypt. Moses told them to watch what the Lord would do. The cloud settled between the Hebrews and the Egyptian army while the wind dried up the Red Sea during the night. There was darkness on the Egyptian side and light on the Hebrew side. That night they crossed the red sea. After all of the Hebrews made it to the other side, the cloud lifted. The Egyptian army followed through the opening in the sea where they drowned.
They arrived at Marah after 3 days of traveling without water. There, the water was bitter. Moses threw a piece of wood into the water and it became sweet. Then, they arrived at Elim which had 12 springs of water and 70 palms, where they camped. Wilderness of Sin. There, they bitterly complained to Moses about lack of food. They said that in Egypt they were surrounded by pots of food all of the time. God sent Quail and Manna sent by God.
Then, they marched 39 days to Rephidam. Again, there was no water and they bitterly complained, asking “is God among us or not.” Moses took the elders and walked on beyond the people to Horeb where he struck the rock and got water. While here they were attacked by the Amelikites. Joshua led the fighters to battle. Moses stood on a hill and held his hands in the air. They won that battle.
They camped in Desert of Sinai near Mount Sinai. Moses father in law, Jethro came to visit Moses. Jethro recommended that Moses appoint judges over 1000’s, 100’s, 50’s and 10’s.
Then, they marched toward Mt. Sinai for about 3 days. It was a total of 49 days to Mt. Sinai from Egypt. They camped in the desert in front of the mountain. Moses met God on the mountain where there was thunder, lightning, trembling and trumpet blasts. It was at this point that the Ten Commandments were given. Moses went up on mountain for 40 days where he received the tablets. People thought he had disappeared. They asked Aaron to make gods who will lead them. Aaron made an idol shaped like a golden calf. The people worshiped it and sacrificed to it. God threatened to destroy them all. Moses came down and broke the tablets and destroyed the idol. Moses asked the people who believed in him to come to him. Only the Levites came to him. He ordered them to go through the Hebrew camp and kill everyone they can. They killed 3000 people. God put a plague upon the people. Moses went up to the mountain again for another 40 days and came back down with new tablets of the commandments. Then, the camped on a plain two miles east on fertile ground and good pasture. There, the tabernacle and ark were constructed. Their stay at Mount Sinai was about 11 months.
Then, they began their trip to Kadesh Barnea. During that trip they complained about the bland manna. They wanted meat. God sent quail again. God killed the complainers while they were eating the quail. They traveled eleven days to the Desert of Paran. Spies were sent out for forty days. Ten spies came back with a bad report. Only Joshua and Caleb had a good report. The spies with the bad report were struck dead. After that, a group of community leaders defied Moses. They were swallowed up in the earth.
For the next thirty-seven years, the Hebrew nation wandered about in the wilderness. They went to Rimmon Perez, Libnah, Rissah, Keheathah, Mt. Shepher, Haradan, Makhelcth, Tabath, Terah, Michkah, Mosercth, Jaskan, Hagidgad, Jorathah, Abronah, Ezon Geber, and Kadesh where Miraim died. Moses disobeyed God.
In the Fortieth year, they went to Mt Hor at the boundary of Edom where Aaron died. Then, they went around Edom and through Moab. Then, they went to Zalmonah, Punon, Oboth, Dbon Gad, Ihe Abahim (border of Moab), Almon Diblatham, Abarim before Nebo, and the Plains of Moab across from Jordan and Jericho
Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ for additional information about The Journey: Searching for the Promised Land by Larry J. Tate.
The Hebrews were stranded for over 400 years in the Land of Egypt. Tradition told them that there was a Promised Land out there somewhere. However, there was a vast wilderness between them and their Promised Land, also known as Canaan.
To their South and West was a great desert. To their East was a barren wilderness known as Sinai. To their North was the Great Sea. Between them and their rumored Promised Land was the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, along with plenty of desert and mountains.
Six hundred thirty-five years earlier, Abraham had been promised that his seed would take possession of the fertile land of Canaan. The land spread East to West from the Great Sea to the Dead Sea. The southern border ran from the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to just below Gaza. The northern border was near Hamath.
Isaac was born when Abraham was one hundred years old. Jacob was born when Isaac was sixty years old.
Jacobs Sons
By Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issacher, Zebulun
By Bilhah: Dan, Naphtali
By Zilpah: Gad, Asher
By Rachael: Joseph, Benjamin
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph’s sons were Manaseh and Ephriam. In Egypt, he found favor with Pharaoh and rose to second in command. Eventually, the entire 70 descendents of Jacob come to live in Egypt. There, Pharaoh offered the best of the Egyptian land to the Children of Israel.
Over a period of 430 years from arrival to the Exodus, Israel multiplied. Many Pharaohs came and went. Eventually, the Pharaohs no longer felt any obligation to the Children of Israel, and became fearful of their prosperity and numbers. So eventually, one of the Pharaohs forced them into slavery. The harder they were worked, the more they multiplied. Pharaoh ordered Israeli midwives to kill all new-born boys, but they refused. Pharaoh then ordered his own people to throw all new-born boys into the Nile.
Moses was born in the house of Levi. Moses was hidden in a basket along the bank of the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and he was raised in Pharaoh’s house.
As an adult, Moses kills an Egyptian who had been beating a Jew. Then one day when he asked two Hebrews why they were fighting each other, one of them asked him if he was gong to kill him also. Pharaoh heard of the incident and tried to kill Moses. Moses fled to Midian. There he married Zipporah.
Moses and his brother Aaron meet with Pharaoh and plead for the Hebrew’s release.
Through a series of denials, there were many plagues. At the first meeting Moses went in and simply asked for the Hebrews to be freed. At this point, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrews to get their own straw.
During the second meeting, Moses Rod became a serpent.
After the third meeting, the Nile River turned to blood. Moses and Aaron met Pharaoh on the shore of the Nile River. Aaron had earlier turned his walking stick into a snake but the King’s magicians had been able to duplicate that. Moses told Pharaoh that he would show him God’s power. Aaron held his stick over the river and the water turned into blood. The fish all died and there was blood everywhere in Egypt where there should have been water. The king’s magicians were able to duplicate the feat and Pharaoh refused Moses’ request.
Seven days later, the fourth meeting resulted in the plague of the frogs. God told Moses: “Go to the king and tell him that the Lord says, ‘Let my people go, so that they can worship me. If you refuse, I will punish your country by covering it with frogs.’” So Aaron held his walking stick over the river and an abundance of frogs came out onto the land. They were everywhere, even in the palace. The magicians were able to repeat the trick but Pharaoh had to summon Moses and ask him to get rid of the frogs. Pharaoh promised to let the people go if Moses would ask his God to remove the frogs. The frogs were removed but the king changed his mind and refused to let Moses lead them out.
The fifth meeting resulted in the plague of the gnats. Aaron struck the ground with his stick and all the dust of Egypt was turned into gnats. There were gnats everywhere and the magicians of Egypt could not duplicate it. The magicians told Pharaoh that God had done it but he refused to let the people go.
The sixth meeting resulted in the plague of the flies. Moses and Aaron approached the king again to let the Israelites go and worship in the desert. He threatened the Pharaoh with an infestation of flies if he didn’t comply. This time a distinction was made between the Egyptians and the Jews. The flies would not bother the Jews. The next day God sent flies everywhere in Egypt except Goshen, where the Israelites were. Pharaoh promised to let the people go if Moses would just get rid of the flies. Moses prayed to God and every fly died. The King remained stubborn and still would not let them go.
The seventh meeting resulted in a plague on the cattle of Egypt. This plague caused the death of all of the Egyptian’s livestock, horses, sheep, camels, goats, donkeys and cattle. None of the Israelite’s animals were touched. The king remained steadfast and would not let them go.
The eighth meeting resulted in the plague of boils. The Lord told Moses to take a handful of ashes from a furnace and throw the ashes up into the air. The ash spread all over Egypt and everyone had boils and open sores. The magicians would not come to the king because they were too sore with their boils. The king remained adamant because now God was making him stubborn.
The ninth meeting resulted in the plague of hail. A massive hailstorm was next on the agenda. The king was warned that everyone should stay inside to avoid being killed by hailstones. The hail destroyed the crops in the field and killed the people who didn’t heed the warning. It hailed everywhere in Egypt except Goshen. Pharaoh begged Moses to ask God to stop the hail and he would let the people go. Moses prayed and the hail stopped but Pharaoh still would not let them go.
The tenth meeting resulted in the plague of locusts. Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh again. Pharaoh was willing to let the Jewish men go into the desert to worship, but not the women and children. Moses refused and the king denied his request. So God sent a cloud of locusts that covered the land and ate everything that the hail had not destroyed. “Not a green thing was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.” God continued to harden Pharaoh’s heart and he would not let the people go.
The eleventh meeting resulted in the plague of darkness. God told Moses to raise his hand toward the sky and darkness would fall on Egypt. There was total darkness in all of Egypt for three days. Only the children of Israel had light. Pharaoh offered to let the people go but not their animals. Moses refused that offer and the king told him that he never wanted to see him again.
The twelfth meeting resulted in the death of all firstborn males. Moses told the king that every firstborn would be killed. Everyone from the Pharaoh’s son to the slave woman’s son would die. God instructed Moses to tell his people to make sure every household had a lamb or goat, a one-year-old male without any defects. On the given day, they were to slaughter, cook and eat the animal and put its blood on their doorposts. The angel of death would see the blood when he came to kill the firstborn and would “pass over” when he saw the blood. All of the firstborn of people and animals of the Egyptians died that night and Pharaoh sent the Israelites away.
After the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh permitted Moses and the Hebrew nation to leave Egypt. They could not take any short cuts to the Promised Land. The shortest route was known as the Way of the Philistines. It was just a ten day journey (216 miles). This primary highway may have had Egyptian forts, making usage of the highway improbable for the Hebrews to use. There were two other primary highways that could have been taken, but were not. One was the Way of Shur, and the other was the Way to Arabia. But Moses chose to lead 600,000 men plus women, children and livestock through the barren wilderness. There were probably two to three million people following Moses.
The first seven days involved traveling day and night to Succoth where they gathered the bones of Joseph. Then they marched to Etham where they were accompanied by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Then, they marched to Pi Hahiroth on the banks of the Red Sea. Pharaoh was in pursuit of the Hebrews and caught up with them there. He found the Hebrews trapped in the desert between him, the sea, and the mountains.
The Hebrews complained loudly to Moses. Why did they have to die in the desert? It would have been better to be slaves in Egypt. Moses told them to watch what the Lord would do. The cloud settled between the Hebrews and the Egyptian army while the wind dried up the Red Sea during the night. There was darkness on the Egyptian side and light on the Hebrew side. That night they crossed the red sea. After all of the Hebrews made it to the other side, the cloud lifted. The Egyptian army followed through the opening in the sea where they drowned.
They arrived at Marah after 3 days of traveling without water. There, the water was bitter. Moses threw a piece of wood into the water and it became sweet. Then, they arrived at Elim which had 12 springs of water and 70 palms, where they camped. Wilderness of Sin. There, they bitterly complained to Moses about lack of food. They said that in Egypt they were surrounded by pots of food all of the time. God sent Quail and Manna sent by God.
Then, they marched 39 days to Rephidam. Again, there was no water and they bitterly complained, asking “is God among us or not.” Moses took the elders and walked on beyond the people to Horeb where he struck the rock and got water. While here they were attacked by the Amelikites. Joshua led the fighters to battle. Moses stood on a hill and held his hands in the air. They won that battle.
They camped in Desert of Sinai near Mount Sinai. Moses father in law, Jethro came to visit Moses. Jethro recommended that Moses appoint judges over 1000’s, 100’s, 50’s and 10’s.
Then, they marched toward Mt. Sinai for about 3 days. It was a total of 49 days to Mt. Sinai from Egypt. They camped in the desert in front of the mountain. Moses met God on the mountain where there was thunder, lightning, trembling and trumpet blasts. It was at this point that the Ten Commandments were given. Moses went up on mountain for 40 days where he received the tablets. People thought he had disappeared. They asked Aaron to make gods who will lead them. Aaron made an idol shaped like a golden calf. The people worshiped it and sacrificed to it. God threatened to destroy them all. Moses came down and broke the tablets and destroyed the idol. Moses asked the people who believed in him to come to him. Only the Levites came to him. He ordered them to go through the Hebrew camp and kill everyone they can. They killed 3000 people. God put a plague upon the people. Moses went up to the mountain again for another 40 days and came back down with new tablets of the commandments. Then, the camped on a plain two miles east on fertile ground and good pasture. There, the tabernacle and ark were constructed. Their stay at Mount Sinai was about 11 months.
Then, they began their trip to Kadesh Barnea. During that trip they complained about the bland manna. They wanted meat. God sent quail again. God killed the complainers while they were eating the quail. They traveled eleven days to the Desert of Paran. Spies were sent out for forty days. Ten spies came back with a bad report. Only Joshua and Caleb had a good report. The spies with the bad report were struck dead. After that, a group of community leaders defied Moses. They were swallowed up in the earth.
For the next thirty-seven years, the Hebrew nation wandered about in the wilderness. They went to Rimmon Perez, Libnah, Rissah, Keheathah, Mt. Shepher, Haradan, Makhelcth, Tabath, Terah, Michkah, Mosercth, Jaskan, Hagidgad, Jorathah, Abronah, Ezon Geber, and Kadesh where Miraim died. Moses disobeyed God.
In the Fortieth year, they went to Mt Hor at the boundary of Edom where Aaron died. Then, they went around Edom and through Moab. Then, they went to Zalmonah, Punon, Oboth, Dbon Gad, Ihe Abahim (border of Moab), Almon Diblatham, Abarim before Nebo, and the Plains of Moab across from Jordan and Jericho
Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ for additional information about The Journey: Searching for the Promised Land by Larry J. Tate.
The Third Jewish Temple
There have been two temples built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. King Solomon built the first temple nearly 3,000 years ago. The armies of Nebuchadnezzar destroyed that temple in 586 B.C. The second temple, which was built approximately 70 years later, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.
Along with the destruction of the second temple, the Jewish nation was driven out of their Promised Land. After that, the no-man’s land formerly occupied by the Jews was re-named “Palestine,” for the Philistines who had been Israel’s most bitter enemy. Ironically, the land currently known as the Gaza Strip which is now occupied by the Palestinians is roughly the same strip of land that was occupied by the Philistines which Israel never did acquire the courage to conquer when they were instructed by God to take the land.
Prophecy tells us that the third temple will be built. From a practical stand-point however, it seems to be an impossible objective. After the 1967 Six-Day War, when the Nation of Israel took the City of Jerusalem, they allowed the Muslims to maintain possession and control of the Temple Mount. Today, the Muslims have total control over what can be built on that prized piece of real estate. Before the third temple can be built, there must be a dramatic shift in power regarding the Temple Mount.
We are told that there will some day be a period of peace, and it may be during that period that the third temple will be built. What can bring about that sort of peace? It certainly won’t be the kind of peace that world leaders are trying to negotiate today. An orderly peace conference that is carried out around a negotiating table is nothing but a series of concessions, agreements, promises and money transfers. There is no promise or concession that will ever convince the Muslim world to hand over possession of the Temple Mount to the Nation of Israel.
The only peace agreement that has ever stood the test of time, is one that has been agreed to after one side wins, and another side loses a war. Peace can only achieved through strength. In order for Israel to build the third temple on the Temple Mount, there will have to be a preceding major upheaval and reversing of current situations. At some time or another, Israel will have to make a dramatic statement to the world by subduing the nations in the Middle East.
We all know that the predominant unrest in today’s world is centered in the Middle East. There won’t be any real peace in the world until there is peace in the Middle East; and there won’t be any peace in the Middle East until there is peace in Jerusalem; and there won’t be any peace in Jerusalem until there is peace on the Temple Mount.
How can the tiny nation of Israel bring the whole Middle East into submission? How can Israel tell the whole world that they are a force to be reckoned with? It could very possibly be accomplished by the nuclear destruction of some major city. Will Israel be the only one that delivers that destructive power? Probably not. Most likely, there will be some Western powers that will be working along side of Israel on that mission. It will then be that Israel, backed up by a major world power will be a strong party to some sort of workable peace agreement.
Israel won’t be alone in brokering that peace. Prophecy tells us that there will be one person representing the world powers who will be the key player in negotiating that peace. This one man will at first be viewed as a peace-maker and a problem solver. During that period of time, he will acquire unmatchable international power, allowing him to break the very peace agreement that he brokered.
It may be during that brief period of peace that the third temple will be built. But that period of peace won’t last long. The dark powers of the world know that the third temple plays a key role in the coming of the Messiah. The principalities and powers of darkness will have no intention of permitting Jesus to return and rule the world. But their fate is sealed in prophecy. The temple will be standing; Jesus will return; and evil will be conquered.
The re-building of the Jewish Temple will be accomplished.
Read "The Journey." http://www.thejourneybook.net/
Along with the destruction of the second temple, the Jewish nation was driven out of their Promised Land. After that, the no-man’s land formerly occupied by the Jews was re-named “Palestine,” for the Philistines who had been Israel’s most bitter enemy. Ironically, the land currently known as the Gaza Strip which is now occupied by the Palestinians is roughly the same strip of land that was occupied by the Philistines which Israel never did acquire the courage to conquer when they were instructed by God to take the land.
Prophecy tells us that the third temple will be built. From a practical stand-point however, it seems to be an impossible objective. After the 1967 Six-Day War, when the Nation of Israel took the City of Jerusalem, they allowed the Muslims to maintain possession and control of the Temple Mount. Today, the Muslims have total control over what can be built on that prized piece of real estate. Before the third temple can be built, there must be a dramatic shift in power regarding the Temple Mount.
We are told that there will some day be a period of peace, and it may be during that period that the third temple will be built. What can bring about that sort of peace? It certainly won’t be the kind of peace that world leaders are trying to negotiate today. An orderly peace conference that is carried out around a negotiating table is nothing but a series of concessions, agreements, promises and money transfers. There is no promise or concession that will ever convince the Muslim world to hand over possession of the Temple Mount to the Nation of Israel.
The only peace agreement that has ever stood the test of time, is one that has been agreed to after one side wins, and another side loses a war. Peace can only achieved through strength. In order for Israel to build the third temple on the Temple Mount, there will have to be a preceding major upheaval and reversing of current situations. At some time or another, Israel will have to make a dramatic statement to the world by subduing the nations in the Middle East.
We all know that the predominant unrest in today’s world is centered in the Middle East. There won’t be any real peace in the world until there is peace in the Middle East; and there won’t be any peace in the Middle East until there is peace in Jerusalem; and there won’t be any peace in Jerusalem until there is peace on the Temple Mount.
How can the tiny nation of Israel bring the whole Middle East into submission? How can Israel tell the whole world that they are a force to be reckoned with? It could very possibly be accomplished by the nuclear destruction of some major city. Will Israel be the only one that delivers that destructive power? Probably not. Most likely, there will be some Western powers that will be working along side of Israel on that mission. It will then be that Israel, backed up by a major world power will be a strong party to some sort of workable peace agreement.
Israel won’t be alone in brokering that peace. Prophecy tells us that there will be one person representing the world powers who will be the key player in negotiating that peace. This one man will at first be viewed as a peace-maker and a problem solver. During that period of time, he will acquire unmatchable international power, allowing him to break the very peace agreement that he brokered.
It may be during that brief period of peace that the third temple will be built. But that period of peace won’t last long. The dark powers of the world know that the third temple plays a key role in the coming of the Messiah. The principalities and powers of darkness will have no intention of permitting Jesus to return and rule the world. But their fate is sealed in prophecy. The temple will be standing; Jesus will return; and evil will be conquered.
The re-building of the Jewish Temple will be accomplished.
Read "The Journey." http://www.thejourneybook.net/
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