The Real Story About Noah

When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  (Genesis 6:1-8, KJV)

Years ago — while volunteering at my former church’s Sunday school — I remember watching the horror come over the faces of the five-year-olds as the teacher told them the story of Noah and the flood. I admit, I questioned God’s actions. It didn’t make sense to me that God would wipe out the human race because the thoughts of their hearts were evil, only to later send His Son to die for sinners who believed in Him, no matter what evils they had committed.  But it was a time and place when I was more interested in what the latest best-selling Christian book had to say than the Bible, so I never pursued it.

Years later, a faithful sister in Christ explained to me that the Nephilim were the giant offspring of fallen angels who had mated with women.  It sounded like something you would see on a television program like the X-Files. I was highly intrigued and incredibly skeptical, which led me to dive into Scripture to determine the truth for myself. For that alone, I will always be grateful.

I found the Nephilim again in Numbers 13:33:

There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. (Amplified Bible).

This confirmed that the Nephilim were not like normal human beings.  I searched several commentaries and found an explanation that the “sons of God” were the faithful family of Seth and the “daughters of men” were the descendants of apostate Cain (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).  But it begged the question: How did a line of giants result from human beings intermarrying with other human beings?  They are referred to in Genesis 6:4 as “the heroes of old, men of renown” and Rob Skiba offers an excellent presentation on Greek mythology and its relationship to the Nephilim, which is worth viewing.

I did a word search on “sons of God” and it only appears two times in the NIV (Genesis 6:2 and Genesis 6:4). In the Amplified Bible, however, I found several passages:

Again there was a day when the sons of God [the angels] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and the accuser) came also among them to present himself before the Lord.  (Job 2:1)

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare to Me, if you have and know understanding. Who determined the measures of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? Upon what were the foundations of it fastened, or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job:38:1-7)

Using Scripture to interpret Scripture led me to believe that in the Old Testament, the term “sons of God” refers to angels. In the New Testament, it appears to refer to both angels (Luke 20:36) and believers (Matthew 5:9, Romans 8:14, and Galatians 3:26), depending upon which translation you use.

That still left another important question: could angels have children with women? We know that angels appeared on earth and talked to Hagar (Genesis 16:7-11, Genesis 19:21), ate with Lot (Genesis 19:1-3), pulled Lot into the house (Genesis 19:10), seized Lot, his wife and two daughters by the hand (Genesis 19:16), touched Gideon’s staff, meat, and unleavened cakes (Judges 6:21), touched and spoke to Jezebel (1 Kings 19:5), went into a pool and stirred up the water (John 5:4), opened prison doors (Acts 5:19), and gently struck Peter on his side (Acts 12:7).  Clearly, angels are able to physically interact with humans in this dimension.  And if you do a word search, they appear to always be men.

As I searched further, I found author Doug Hamp and others, who opened my eyes to believe that these fallen angels had indeed mated with women to pollute the human gene pool and prevent the Messiah from being born!  Or in the words of Scofield, “Whichever view is held, it is obvious that Satan attempted so to corrupt the race that the Messiah could not come to redeem man.”

Studies into ancient (nonbiblical) texts like the Book of Enoch suggest that these fallen angels also procreated with animals to create new species. Now it begins to make sense why God not only wiped out all of humankind (save for Noah and his family), but also according to Genesis 6:7, “the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground.”  

As Hollywood prepares to launch its blockbuster Noah movie this month, I doubt that most viewers — whether they are believers or non-believers — will truly understand why God caused the flood. 

We should also remember that Genesis 6:4 tells us that the Nephilim appeared before and after the flood. That’s a huge concern for Kingdom believers who are living in what I believe are the last days of this age and those who will be left behind during the Tribulation.  But I will have to save that for next time.

What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?

I was listening to an online sermon by Pastor Alan Robinson from Community Baptist Church titled "Abiding in the Vine" and wanted to know more about what abiding in Christ means.

Pastor Robinson mentions that in John 15:1-7, Jesus uses the word abide multiple times (emphasis mine):

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Robinson defines abiding as remaining or continuing in Christ by reading His Word, praying, and going about our daily business as a disciple as Christ. 

I wanted to know if Scripture could tell me more about how we are to abide in Christ.  I did a word search and was surprised to find that there are no mentions of abide in the NIV.  There are, however, 103 mentions in the KJV.

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  Every jot and tittle is important, which means we should pay attention to even the smallest details.  

So I used the online Net Bible to look up those 103 Scripture verses.  I discovered that Jesus always used the root word meno (Strong 3306) for abide.  At times like these, I really wish I could read biblical Hebrew and Greek because while God’s Word is infallible, the translators are not.  But according to Strong, meno can mean (emphasis mine):

1) to remain, abide

1a) in reference to place

1a1) to sojourn, tarry

1a2) not to depart

1a2a) to continue to be present

1a2b) to be held, kept, continually

1b) in reference to time

1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure

1b1a) of persons, to survive, live

1c) in reference to state or condition

1c1) to remain as one, not to become another or different

2) to wait for, await one

Thanks to this exercise, I have a much better understanding of what it means to abide in Christ Jesus.

The Millennial Kingdom in Revelation

While reading the Book of Revelation (the only book in Scripture that promises a blessing to its readers) I felt led to write down the rewards for overcomers side-by-side. I saw that they seem to build upon each other in relation to positions of authority in the Millennial Kingdom!

To the church in Ephesus: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev 2:7). 

Using Scripture to interpret Scripture, we first learn about the tree of life in Genesis 2:9. God placed it in the middle of the garden and Adam and Eve were free to eat of it. Some authors suggest that this passage speaks to paradise regained in the Millennial Kingdom, or the promise of increased knowledge (Whipple).

To the church in Smyrna: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev 2:11). 

The second death refers to salvation of the soul (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), which unlike salvation of the spirit (the free gift of eternal life) is the reward of gaining entrance into the Millennial Kingdom. This will be determined by whether our works are burned up or refined by fire at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus himself tells us that some will only be able to see the Kingdom while others will be able to enter it (John 3:3, John 3:5, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 18:3). In the Matthew parables, He speaks of believers who will be cast into the outer darkness for the thousand years, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30).

To the church in Pergamos: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Rev 2:17) 

In Exodus 16:15, manna was the miraculous food and sustenance the Lord provided each day for the children of Israel. The Revelation passage may refer to hidden wisdom that will be revealed to those who receive salvation of the soul. It also alludes to receiving a position of authority in the Millennial Kingdom. We see this in the type in Genesis 17:5, when God gave Abram a new name: Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee (emphasis mine).

To the church in Thyatira: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26-28) 

These passages fulfill the parables of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the minas (Luke 19:11-26), where Jesus said that those who are wise and faithful over a few things will be made rulers over many things in the Millennial Kingdom. 

To the church in Sardis: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Rev 3:5)  

If we let Scripture interpret Scripture, Revelation 4:4 tells us that those who are clothed in white raiment have the honor of sitting around the throne and are wearing crowns of gold.

To the church in Philadelphia: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev 3:12) 

This appears to be another position of authority in the temple, a possible fulfillment of the type in 1 Kings 7:21 when Solomon set up the pillars in the porch of the temple.

To the church in Laodicea: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev 3:21) 

Jesus had such harsh words for the Laodiceans.  He said that He would spew them out of His mouth. But those who open their eyes to the Kingdom truths, “come out” of this church, repent, and “sup” with Him can achieve this incredible reward, the highest position mentioned for overcomers.

Many teach that all believers are overcomers and will receive the same rewards, but Scripture clearly does not support this. When you understand the ramifications of the judgment seat of Christ, and can distinguish passages from Scripture that deal with salvation of the spirit (John 3:16, 11:26) from those that concern salvation of the soul (1 Peter 1:9), you see just how dangerous this teaching is.

Signs of the Times: As in the Days of Noah

Lately I have been thinking about Matthew 24:37-42 where Jesus provides a clue as to when He will return to rapture believers:

³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  ³⁸For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  ³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  ⁴⁰Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  ⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  ⁴²Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 

I went to Genesis to study more about what was happening during Noah’s time.  Genesis 6:1-7 tells us much of what we need to know:

¹When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, ² the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. ³ Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”  ⁴ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.  ⁵ The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. ⁷ So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” (NIV)

The Nephilim — which are also referred to as giants in other translations — are the offspring of the sons of God (fallen angels) and mortal women.  Unger writes: “This utterly unnatural union, violating God’s created order of being, as such a shocking abnormality as to necessitate the worldwide judgment of the Flood.”¹  Some argue that the Nephilim² are the result of the intermarriage between the godly line of Seth and the ungodly line of Cain.  But if mortal men mated with mortal women, how did we end up with a race of Giants?  And why single them out as Nephilim?

I agree with other writers, like Chuck Missler, who believe that Satan was attempting to alter the human gene pool to prevent the birth of a perfect Messiah.  Our Almighty God thwarted Satan’s plan by flooding the earth and killing every human and every animal, bird, and creature that moved along the ground (except for Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark).  I bring this up because this week there have been news reports in the media that British scientists have created more than 150 human-animal hybrid embryos.  Since Genesis 6:4 tells us that the Nephilim were still on the earth after the flood (we read about them again in Numbers 13:33) I can’t help but think…as the days of Noah were.

Satan may have been foiled temporarily, but his plan has always been same: to prevent man from ruling and reigning with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom.  When we read the kingdom parables in Matthew, Jesus says in the parable of the sower that the birds of the air represent the evil one (Matthew 13:19).  Comparing Scripture with Scripture, in the parable of the mustard tree, we learn that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches of the tree (Matthew 13:32).  Those who know Scripture have eyes to see the apostasy that is growing like a cancer in visible churches.  What better way to deceive professed believers than to stand beside them in the pew (just as Jesus prophesied in the parable of the wheat and tares) and get them to question, “Did God really say?”

I believe that the signs of our times are telling us that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and it is definitely time to repent.

¹Unger MF.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.  Harrison RK, Vos HW, Barber CJ, eds.  Chicago, IL: Mood Press; 1988.

²To learn more about Nephilim, you might want to start with  "As the Days of Noah Were" and "Mischievous Angels or Sethites?" by Chuck Missler.

Jesus Will Separate the Wheat From the Tares at His Judgment Seat

God is never inconsistent.  He always says what He means and He means what He says.  But often we need to compare Scripture with Scripture, particularly when looking at Jesus’ parables, to completely understand what the Lord is telling us.  We will do this as we look at Jesus’ parable of the wheat and tares.  

In early biblical times, the Hebrews used wheat as a main staple in making their bread.  They also roasted the grains and ate them.¹  Scripture reveals more about wheat through the Lord's words in Matthew 13:24-30:

²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  ²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  ²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  ²⁷So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  ²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  ²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 

In this passage, wheat symbolizes God’s judgment,² which every believer will face at the judgment seat of Christ (see older post on loss and rewards).  In the King James version, the Greek word zizanion is translated as tares, not weeds.  A tare is a darnel that looks exactly like wheat while both are growing as blades.  When the fruit from an ear of wheat is ready to be harvested, the tares can finally be distinguished by their lack of fruit, and they may be separated easily.^1,3  Unfortunately, much of this rich meaning is lost in more modern translations that use the word weeds.*

Later in Matthew 13, Jesus explains the meaning of His parable:

³⁸The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; ³⁹The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. ⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; ⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

Jesus is clearly saying that the enemy who sowed the tares is Satan, that the harvest is the end of the age, and that the reapers are angels.  The King James Version uses the phrase “end of the world,” but a more accurate translation is age,* which describes the end of this present dispensation.  Jesus is also warning believers that there will be those among us who look, talk, and act like true followers of Christ.  But they are actually tares who will go to any length to distract us from believing God's Word about the millennial kingdom.³ 

Going back a little earlier to the parable of the sower, Jesus says in Matthew 13:3-4:

Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

  

In Matthew 13:19, Jesus explains that the fowls he speaks of are the wicked one.  If we use Scripture to interpret Scripture, the meaning of the fowls in the parable of the sower must be the same in Jesus’ later parable about the mustard tree:

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (Matthew 13:31-32) 

The same Greek word, peteinon, is used in both parables for fowls and birds.

Now a mustard plant is an herb, so its growth into a tree implies abnormally large growth.³  If the birds are lodging in its branches, that means there are tares sitting right alongside true believers!  I believe these tares have been seducing entire churches to move away from God's Word and to focus more on “experiencing” Jesus in ways that contradict God's Word.  They are also high-profile pastors who are promoting man-made doctrines that have absolutely no basis in Scripture.  Since Jesus tells us that these tares are children of the wicked one, it is unclear whether they were once faithful believers who Satan has successfully deceived or whether they are aligned with Satan and know exactly what they are doing.

The bride of Christ, however, remains firmly grounded in Scripture, which allows her to discern everything she hears (what Scripture refers to as “testing the spirits”) so that neither Satan nor the tares will be able to deceive her. 

Beloved, are you firmly grounded in Scripture?  Or are you relying on others to tell you about Scripture?

*I have become convinced that there is no "one best translation," which is why I often compare several translations when studying Scripture.  The NET bible online provides a great way to do this.

References: 1. Merril F. Unger and R.K. Harris, ed.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary  (Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1988), 217, 1341.  2.  Brand C, Draper C, England A, eds.  Hoffman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.  (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003): 1670.  3.  Herbert J.  Matthew 13 Parables Part 4, The Parable of the Wheat and Tares.  

Is Your Lamp Lit?

In Old Testament times, people used lamps made from small clay saucers that were filled with olive oil.  These lamps typically had a single wick that provided illumination when lit.¹  Prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, a bridegroom would leave his house and travel to the house of his bride.  This was a celebratory procession that included the groomsmen, musicians and singers, and people holding lamps.^1,2 

Lamps and oil also have symbolic meanings in Scripture:¹  

• Leviticus 8:10-13:  ¹⁰And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.  ¹¹And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.  ¹²And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.  ¹³And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.

• 1 Samuel 10:1: Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

• 1 Samuel 10:6: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

• 1 Samuel 16:13: Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.

These Old Testament passages tell us that oil is symbolic of receiving the Holy Spirit.¹  Now see what Scripture tells us about lamps.

• 2 Samuel 22:29: For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.  

• Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

These passages tell us that a lamp is symbolic of God’s Word. 

The importance of having oil

Jesus often spoke in parables, a style of teaching that was very common among Jewish rabbis who lived during his time.³  When the disciples asked why He spoke in parables, Jesus said in Matthew 13:11 (NIV):  "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 

Knowing that the Word of God is a lamp, and that the Holy Spirit is the oil that keeps a lamp burning, helps us understand the meaning of Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins. 

Matthew 25:1 tells us: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  The bridegroom, of course, is Christ Jesus. 

In Matthew 25:3, we learn that the foolish virgins took their lamps, and took no oil with them.  The other five virgins were called wise because they took oil in their vessels with their lamps (Matthew 25:4). 

Then something happened to all the virgins: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept (Matthew 25:5).  It is my opinion that this parable describes many believers who are sleeping today because they are not eagerly anticipating the Lord’s return. 

Yes, the virgins are believers!

Mathew 25:3-4 states: ³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  These passages say that the five foolish virgins did not take any oil.  They do not say that they did not have any oil to begin with (the Amplified Bible reads that they did not take any [extra oil]).  It would be impossible for the five foolish virgins to take something they did not already have. 

The five foolish virgins clearly understand the importance of having oil — and the consequences of being unprepared.  Matthew 25:8 reads: The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'  This is an important distinction because many assume that the five foolish virgins are unbelievers.  But if they were unbelievers, they could never have had any oil (the Holy Spirit) to begin with!

If you have doubts about this, do a word search using the terms “harlot” and “virgins” to see what Scripture says about both.  Never rely on man’s interpretations because humans (myself included, and may God forgive me if I ever err here) are fallible.  Always use Scripture to interpret Scripture, praying for guidance and wisdom.

When the Lord returns

In Matthew 25:6, Jesus says: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  According to Jewish tradition, the friends of the bridegroom usually traveled at night to bring the bride and her bridesmaids to the home of the bridegroom. 

This was a celebratory procession marked by the shout of the bridegroom: "Behold the bridegroom cometh!" (see Jeremiah 7:34; Revelation 18:23).  The procession occurred at night so that those who worked during the day could attend.⁴  It was also customary for the bridal procession to carry lamps with them. 

When the cry went out, Matthew 25:7 tells us that Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  But something tragic happened to the five foolish virgins when they were on their way to buy oil.  Matthew 25:10 warns us about it: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Sadly, when the foolish virgins shout for the bridegroom to open the door in Matthew 25:11, saying Lord, Lord, open to us (and if they were unbelievers why would they call the bridegroom Lord?), he tells them, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:12).

References: 1. Merril F. Unger and R.K. Harris, ed.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary  (Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1988), 253, 753, 818, 819, 937.  2.  Alfred Edersheim.  Sketches of Jewish Social Life.  (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.,1994), 143.  3.  Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.  Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus.  (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009) 30.  4.  Eager GB.  “Marriage.”  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.  Orr J, ed.  http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?action=Lookup&word=marriage&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=Lookup.  Accessed June 17, 2010.