ARCHAEOLOGY/ HISTORY
HAZOR:
(Information courtesy of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem)  Hazor is the largest biblical-era site in Israel, covering some 200 acres. The population of Hazor in the second millennium BCE is estimated to have been about 20,000, making it the largest and most important city in the entire region. Its size and strategic location on the route connecting Egypt and Babylon made it "the head of all those kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10). Hazor's conquest by the Israelites opened the way to the conquest and settlement of the Israelites in Canaan. The city was rebuilt and fortified by King Solomon (1 Kings 9:15) and prospered in the days of Ahab and Jeroboam II, until its final destruction by the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29) in 732 BCE Hazor is presently one of Israel's national parks.
To learn more, click on this link:
http://unixware.mscc.huji.ac.il/~hatsor/index.html

BIBLE TOPIC
LEVIATHAN:
What exactly was this creature called Leviathan? Was it a dinosaur? Crocodile?  Mythical beast?  There are only five places in the bible that speak of this strange beast:
Job 3:8, Job  41:1,  Psalm 74:14, Psalm 104:26, Isaiah 27:1. Reading through these scriptures, we can see that the bible describes this beast as a large sea creature (Job 41:1) that is serpent-like (Isaiah 27:1), and apparently possesses more than one head (Psalm 74:13-14). One bible passage counts Leviathan among other living things that Yahweh created:  Psalm 104: 25-27. Therefore, it seems a possibility that Leviathan was a real, living creature.

An interesting thing worth noting is that in many bible versions the footnotes mention Leviathan as being a dragon, and if you continue reading through Job chapter 41, it gives a lot of detail regarding Leviathan that is descriptive of a dragon: A large, ferocious creature (vs. 1), with teeth  (vs. 14), scales (vs. 15-17),  fiery breath (vs. 18-21), and fear inspiring (vs. 25). Now, this passage isn't saying Leviathan was a flying, cave dwelling dragon as we see in legends, and it doesn't even say how large it was: For all we know, it could have been about the size of a car, or the size of a blue whale, who knows? The main point is, Leviathan seems to be a different kind of dragon, quite different than what we know in legends. Could a fire breathing sea serpent have really existed? It isn't impossible; after all, Yahweh made bombardier beetles which spew out hot, toxic chemicals when threatened. It isn't too much of stretch to imagine something similar on a larger scale. And again, putting away our pre-conceived notions about legendary dragons, the Leviathan creature could have had a different kind of "fire" in its breath than what we see in movies. We can only speculate what that could include: A chemical defense similar to the bombardier beetle, or electricity such as in eels, or bioluminescence such as in cave fish, or some combination of these, or something else that we don't see anymore today. Since the bible doesn't go into these details we can only imagine the possibilities.

Putting together all the descriptions of this Leviathan, what do we have? We have a creature that:
Is a large, sea dwelling creature (Job 41:1)
That is serpentine (Isaiah 27:1)
With multiple heads (Psalm 74:13-14)
And teeth and scales (Job 41:15-17)
With some form of fiery breath (Job 41:18-21)
That is a part of creation (Psalm 104:25-27)
Does this sound familiar? It should! According to the book of Revelation, Satan is represented as a dragon/serpent with multiple heads (Rev.12:3-4),  that is associated with the sea (Rev. 13:1). And although Yahweh didn't originally create Satan to be evil, Satan is still a part of creation just as Leviathan was. Also, it is noticeable that "Leviathan" is never mentioned in the plural, only singular, just as Satan is a singular being. Interestingly enough, this Satanic dragon in Revelation is also spoken of as being imprisoned in an abyss eventually (Rev.20:2-3). Taking into consideration that the sea is often referred to as an "abyss", and both Leviathan and the Satanic Dragon are associated with the sea, there seems to be a definite parallel between the two in scripture.

Some sources believe that this creature Leviathan was used for prophetic symbolism. Volume 2 of the book "Insight On The Scriptures" (published by the Watchtower, Bible and Tract Society) under the word "Leviathan" gives this particular information:

[Heb., liw·ya·than´]. This Hebrew word occurs six times in the Bible. It is believed to come from a root word meaning “wreath”; hence the name indicates something that is “wreathed,” or “gathered into folds.” The word is transliterated in most Bible translations. Since, with the exception of Job 3:8, the references mention water in connection with it, Leviathan appears to signify some form of aquatic creature of great proportions and strength, although not necessarily of one specific kind. Psalm 104:25, 26 describes it as cavorting in the sea where ships travel, and for this reason many suggest that the term here applies to some type of whale. Though whales are rare in the Mediterranean, they are not unknown there, and parts of two whale skeletons can be found in a museum at Beirut in Lebanon. An American Translation here says “crocodile” instead of Leviathan. Additionally, the word “sea” (yam) by itself is not determinative inasmuch as in Hebrew it can refer to a large inland body of water such as the Sea of Galilee (Sea of Chinnereth) (Nu 34:11; Jos 12:3), or even to the river Nile (Isa 19:5) or the Euphrates.—Jer 51:36. The description of “Leviathan” at Job 41:1-34 aptly fits the crocodile, and the “sea” of verse 31 may refer to a river such as the Nile or another body of fresh water. It should be noted, however, that some crocodiles, as the Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), are found along the seacoast and at times go out into the sea some distance from land. Psalm 74 describes God’s record of salvation for his people, and verses 13 and 14 refer symbolically to his deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Here the term “sea monsters [Heb., than·ni·nim´, plural of tan·nin´]” is used as a parallel expression to “Leviathan,” and the crushing of the heads of Leviathan may well refer to the crushing defeat administered to Pharaoh and his army at the time of the Exodus. The Aramaic Targums here give “the strong ones of Pharaoh” in place of “the heads of Leviathan.” (Compare Eze 29:3-5, where Pharaoh is likened to a “great sea monster” in the midst of the Nile canals; also Eze 32:2.) Isaiah 27:1 apparently employs Leviathan (LXX, “the dragon”) as a symbol of an empire, an organization that is international in scope and that is dominated by one who himself is referred to as “serpent” and “dragon.” (Re 12:9) The prophecy is one of restoration for Israel, and therefore Jehovah ’s ‘turning attention’ to Leviathan must include Babylon. However, verses 12 and 13 consider Assyria and Egypt as well. So, Leviathan here evidently refers to an international organization or empire that is in opposition to Jehovah and his worshipers.

So, then, what are we to make of all this? It is possible that Leviathan was an actual creature that was also used for prophetic symbolism due to its size and ability to inspire fear in others. It is possible to have been a sea dragon or water dinosaur of some kind. Since the bible doesn't give us anymore information, it is difficult to pin down the details of this beast. However, we can be sure that it was considered to be a large, fearsome creature, and that it shares a likeness with the Satanic dragon in Revelation.

GUEST COLUMNIST
Each month we'll be featuring a guest columnist who will share a biblical topic with the public. Just so there isn't a misunderstanding, CommonTruth may not always agree or disagree with a guest columnist's writings. It is up to the reader to prayerfully test all things with scripture . This month's guest columnist is Perimeno. This article is something he wrote himself and is posted at his website "Make Sure Of All Things". You can access his website at:
http://perimeno.ca/Index_A.htm

What is Babylon the Great?
Contributed by: Perimeno
When Jehovah tells his people to get out of Babylon the Great, and hence action is needed in order not “to share with her in her sins” and “receive part of her plagues” for “she will be completely burned with fire,” we can be certain that Jehovah also helps us to identify what Babylon the Great is. (Rev. 18:4) Otherwise, how could we obey this command? We are told about Babylon the Great that she “sits on many waters,” and that these waters “mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” (Rev. 17:1,15) It also says that the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and “those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” (Rev. 17:2) "She has become a place where demons live. She has become a den for every evil spirit." (Rev. 18:2) We are told that the kings and traveling merchants weep and mourn because of what they are now missing because of her destruction. (vs. 9-19) No longer will the “sound of singers,” “musicians,” “craftsmen,” “no light of a lamp” or a “bridegroom and bride” be found in her. Also, by her “spiritistic practice all the nations were mislead.” (vs. 22-23) Further, “in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (vs. 24)

According to Jehovah there are only two religions, not the thousands we have today. Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language defines "religion" as: man's expression of his acknowledgment of the divine ;  a system of beliefs and practices relating to the sacred and uniting its adherents in a community, e.g. Judaism, Christianity.
God decreed at the time of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden, and as recorded at Genesis 3:15, that there would be two "systems of beliefs and practices" and that the two "communities of adherents" would be at enmity with each other. There would be God's side and Satan's. One cannot worship Jehovah and at the same time have any dealings with Satan and the demons.
 “...the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want YOU to become sharers with the demons. 21 YOU cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; YOU cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah ” and the table of demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:20,21

The spiritistic practice that mislead all the nations has to do with worship, sacrificing to the demons. To most people it does not matter what religion you belong to for they believe that all religions are just a different way of worshiping the same god. They have not realized that their worship is in fact directed to the demons and the god of this world, Satan, who has blinded their minds, as the Bible says. (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19) If we want to be part of God’s household, and have Jehovah as our father, then he is clearly telling us what action to take:
    14 Do not be joined together with those who do not belong to Christ. How can that which is good get along with that which is bad? How can light be in the same place with darkness?
    15 How can Christ get along with the devil? How can one who has put his trust in Christ get along with one who has not put his trust in Christ?
    16 How can the house of God get along with false gods? We are the house of the living God. God has said, 'I will live in them and will walk among them. I will be their God and they will be My people.' (Leviticus 26:12)
    17 The Lord has said, 'So come out from among them. Do not be joined to them. Touch nothing that is sinful. (see Rev. 18:5) And I will receive you.
    18 I will be a Father to you. You will be My sons and daughters, says the All God.'
       ―2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (New Life Version)

Is it not clear what Babylon the Great is, the one Jehovah is telling all, who want to belong to him, to get out of? It is about "a system of beliefs and practices" relating to the worship of demons and being a part of its community of adherents. If we do not separate ourselves from among them, then we cannot be “received” or "taken in" (NWT) by Jehovah into his household. We cannot be “sons and daughters” to him as long as we are still in Babylon the Great, for "how can the house of God get along with false gods."

The destruction of Babylon the Great will come suddenly, as if in "one hour." (Revelation 18:10) There will be no advance warning as if we can discern the time of her demise by world events. The scripture tells us that it is Jehovah who will "carry out his thought" when his appointed time has arrived. (Rev. 17:16,17) The message that he has proclaimed to his people is clear, it does not need interpretation, just like in the first century before Jerusalem was destroyed. Any of the people who might have wanted to worship the true God but failed to heed the warning to "get out of her" will share in her sins and her fate, "death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah who judged her is strong."

It is not only Babylon the Great that will be destroyed. The "great day of God the Almighty" will mean destruction for all who failed to take refuge in Jehovah. (Revelation 16:14,16) The prophet Zephaniah tells us,

    14 "The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying [of it] very much. The sound of the day of Jehovah is bitter. There a mighty man is letting out a cry. 15 That day is a day of fury, a day of distress and of anguish, a day of storm and of desolation, a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick gloom, 16 a day of horn and of alarm signal, against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers. 17 And I will cause distress to mankind, and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against Jehovah that they have sinned. And their blood will actually be poured out like dust, and their bowels like the dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah ’s fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth." ―Zephaniah 1:14-18 (NWT)

The warning is plainly sounded. Nothing secret and sealed up about it, because it is imperative that we take action, as Zephaniah continues to clearly express,

    2 "Before [the] statute gives birth to [anything], [before the] day has passed by just like chaff, before there comes upon YOU people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon YOU the day of Jehovah’s anger, 3 seek Jehovah, all YOU meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably YOU may be concealed in the day of Jehovah ’s anger." ―Zephaniah 2:2,3 (NWT)

Babylon the Great is the "place where demons live. . . a den for every evil spirit." It is where the nations "sacrifice to the demons," of whom Satan is the ruler. (Rev. 18:2; Mark 3:22; John 16:11) The message of Revelation 18:4 is clear, any who want to worship Jehovah must get out, separate themselves, from the "system of beliefs and practices" relating to the worship of demons, and be no part of its community of adherents. Her destruction is very near. Any who are still found in her when God executes his judgment upon her will share in her fate. We might say that Revelation 18:4 is a last call for any who want to worship Jehovah to "get out of her." After Babylon the Great's destruction Jehovah and his Son will turn their attention to all the nations and deal with them likewise. (Revelation 19:11,19-21)

God destroyed a wicked world of mankind once before and he will do so again. And just as he provided a means of escape at that time he is doing likewise today. (2 Peter 2:5; 3:5-7; 1 Peter 3:20,21)Our survival depends on our obedience in heeding the command, "Get out of her, my people."

NEWS BYTES
(AgapePress) - This bulletin just in: The culture wars have turned nastier than ever. And if conservative Christians are offended by being called insane, stupid, sinister -- or even the next incarnation of fascist storm troopers -- they'd better get used to it. Read more....
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/262005a.asp

(AgapePress) - Firefighter Donald Herbert was trapped in the collapse of a burning building in 1995. Since the accident his condition has been described as being close to "a persistent vegetative state." He appeared to be awake, but was unaware of what was going on around him. Read more...
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/162005ds.asp

(AgapePress) - Massachusetts parent Rick Plouffe is asking his local high school to remove a profanity-filled book from his daughter's required summer reading assignment. In an effort to enlighten students about the topic of autism, Wellesley High School is having students read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a novel by Mark Haddon. But after reviewing the book, the Wellesley dad says he was shocked by its obscene content. Read more...
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/272005c.asp

(AgapePress) - A Massachusetts pro-family group is urging Clear Channel Communications to take down a billboard in the Boston area that advertises a pornographic homosexual website. The large sign that stands along Massachusetts avenue near the M.I.T. campus in Cambridge features two nude men embracing while wrapped in an American flag. The slogan on the sign reads, "Come together. Gay.com." Read more...
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/282005a.asp

PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE
NAZIRITES:
Many confuse "Nazirite" with "Nazerene".  What is the difference? A Nazirite is a person who makes a special vow to God (Jehovah), whereas a Nazarene is a person from the city of Nazareth.

A person who chose to become a Nazirite had special instructions put upon them for their daily living during their period of naziriteship. Both men and women were allowed to be Nazirites. According to Numbers 6:1-21, God required the following from Nazirites:
1 -- Refrain from consuming anything made from grapes, and all intoxicating beverages
2 -- Refrain from cutting their hair
3 -- Refrain from handling dead bodies.
4 -- If one accidently came into contact with a corpse, he or she was to perform a certain purification ritual in order to maintain the Nazirite vows.
 
When it came time for the person's Nazirite vows to end there was a special ritual that was required by God to terminate the tenure:
1 -- The Nazirite was brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
2 -- He/She would present an offering to God: two young rams and a young female lamb, basket of unfermented ring cakes, a grain offering and a drink offering.
3 -- The priest presented the offerings before Yahweh
4 -- Then the Nazirite shaves his or her head at the entrance of the tent of meeting
5 -- The hair was to be thrown into the communion sacrifice's fire (which was one of the young rams).
6 -- Next the priest took part of the ram and a ring cake and put them into the palms of the Nazirite.
7 -- The priest then presents a wave offering

After all this, the Nazirite is done with his or her vows and may drink wine.
Only three Nazirites are mentioned by name in scripture, all of whom were Nazirites from birth :  Samson (Judges 13:1-24), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17).

VOCABULARY ENRICHMENT
SHEKEL:
Meaning: weight
The common standard both of weight and value among the Hebrews used only in the Old Testament, and frequently used in its original form (Gen. 23:15,16; Ex. 21:32; 30:13, 15; 38:24-29, etc.).
It is estimated at 220 English grains, or a little more than half an ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs in Ezek. 45:12.
There were shekels of gold (1 Chr. 21:25), of silver (1 Sam. 9:8), of brass (17:5), and of iron (7).When it became a coined piece of money, the shekel of gold was equivalent to about 2 pounds of our money. Six gold shekels, according to the later Jewish system, were equal in value to fifty silver ones.The temple contribution, with which the public sacrifices were bought (Ex. 30:13; 2 Chr. 24:6), consisted of one common shekel, or a sanctuary half-shekel, equal to two Attic drachmas.The coin, a stater (q.v.), which Peter found in the fish's mouth paid this contribution for both him and Christ (Matt. 17:24, 27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1 Sam. 9:8).

Information courtesy of: http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/shekel.html

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
Bible Study Toolbox
http://www.mybibletools.com/
This site contains 27 different English language bibles and a link to access dozens of  foreign language bibles. It also features several different resources for word study, Greek study, concordances for various bible versions, and links to a plethora of other bible based sites. This site can be very helpful for those who like to compare different bible versions and study the original meaning of the text.

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