Prophet Pearls #2 – Noach (Isaiah 54:1-55:5)

In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Isaiah 54:1-55:5, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson revel in the glorious promises to Israel and explore the various ways the Tanakh allegorizes her: as a barren and abandoned woman, a maidservant, a slave, an owned animal, and yet, wholly and eternally a beloved wife. Original language brings insight to the following words: “foaming” anger, Yehovah of “hosts,” mercy, kibbutz, and “brief” moment. Despite differing views on some issues, Gordon and Johnson stand firmly on common ground concerning the messianic promise as Yehovah connects his eternal covenant with Israel to the seed of David.

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Prophet Pearls #1 – Bereshit (Isaiah 42:5-43:10)

Prophet Pearls Bereshit (Isaiah 42:5-43:10)

In this episode of Prophet Pearls, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the Prophets portion for Bereshit covering Isaiah 42:5-43:10. After a quick tutorial on the origin of the Haftarah, we learn that the Prophets aren't the golden oldies; their writings are as relevant as ever and more current than our news feeds. Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson explore the original context in which this portion was written, followed by the context in 168 BCE when this passage was first read aloud in the synagogue, and finally the context in September 2014 when Netanyahu spoke the holy words of Isaiah to the United Nations. In addition to parsing key words from the portion, Gordon and Johnson answer the following: What service did the Jews provide to the ancient Roman Empire? And since the Creator refers to himself in so many wonderful ways, would he really name himself, “Lord”? In closing, Gordon and Johnson remind us that while God’s one and only name may have been lost for generations, he did not lose ours—he calls every one of his covenant people by name.

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Hebrew Voices #1 – Where Prophets Tread

Where Prophets Tread, baptism of Jesus, Jordan river, yeshua, east bank, west bank, elisha, elijah, haftarah, hebrew voices, israelites, cross over, john the baptist, joshua 1:1-18, naaman dip, nehemia gordon, Prophet Pearls, river jordan, Vezot ha’Bracha, yarden

Recorded on the west bank of the Jordan River during a sand storm, the inaugural episode of Hebrew Voices features Gordon’s broad insight into the scriptural, geographical and cultural contexts for this special place in Biblical history. Joining Gordon to share his unique perspectives is Anthony Garcia—who believes Yeshua was the Messiah, yet doesn’t consider himself a Christian. Gordon and Garcia discuss the world-changing events that occurred at this exact location through the millennia: the Israelites crossing over “into the land”; Elijah and Elisha parting its waters; and the baptism of Yeshua by John the Baptist.

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