Hope this makes sense, I have tried to write as opportunity permits.

Considering John: Certainly John had great understanding, but certain truths were hidden from him. When JESUS came to be baptized John said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matt 3:14-15). Near the end of his life, John questioned his imprisonment through his disciples. Clearly he did not understand the sequence of events that led to his imprisonment or ultimately his death. He did understand his role in reference to JESUS. "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:29-30). Although John said this, apparently his word did not reach all of his disciples (Act 19:1-7).

The fact that John did not completely understand the plan should be no surprise to us. The disciples did not understand that JESUS would die on a cross and they were with him for three years. The Jews, including Paul, did not understand that the gentiles would partake of salvation in the Messiah because these things were a mystery hidden by GOD. Did John have to die as did? I can only look toward the prophecies of the future Elijah coming in Revelations. Though he has not arrived, he will die the death foretold in the 11th chapter of Revelations, but only after the LORD protects him for 42 months. Why? Because that is part of GOD’S plan. Sometimes the wrongful death of individuals is used to judge people and nations such as the generation at the crucifixion (Matt 27:25) and in Revelations where the angel said, "You are just in these judgments…for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." (Rev 16:5-6). In the Jewish mind according to Josephus, Herod Antipas was judged because he executed John.

Firewood in the Wilderness: No easy answer to Sandi’s question either. A lot of miracles happened in the wilderness like clothes that did not where out. I think it was Rabbi Stan who thought the Jews might not have even needed to use the latrine because manna was so perfect. I am still trying to figure out how they raised and feed the 200,000 lambs in a wilderness environment that had to be sacrificed each year at Passover. At some point, you just have to give it over to the miraculous power of the hand of GOD.

Scott

Sorry for the wet log on the fire

Sandi, I'm sorry for appearing disinterested in your firewood observance. I have never considered the need for so much wood during the Tabernacle years.

Prodded by your post, I have researched the issue a little. First of all, there is a difference between the wilderness and the desert. The desert is completely barren while the wilderness does have vegetation--albeit sparse and small. The broom tree is actually a small shrub but does provide some wood. Still, this cannot be large enough to provide the kind of heat necessary to burn a bull to ashes.

There is an abundance of wood less than 60 miles north. Merchants could have provided some but that seems highly unlikely. I do not remember ever reading about trading for firewood.

According to one Internet source (which is always reliable), animal bones can be used for firewood. Of course, Scott was correct when he mentioned the animal dung burning well--RVL says, "like charcoal." This is a good explanation for where they got fire fuel.

However, Leviticus 6 says to use firewood. Also, Numbers 15:32 records a man gathering wood on the Sabbath--a major offense. So, the question remains, where did the firewood come from? There certainly are not enough broom, acacia, tamarisk, or any other trees around that area.

So, I opt for the standard "I don't know" answer. God provided everything else for them--food, water, clothes, heat, and shade. We might as well add firewood to the list. Again, I'm sorry for the cop out.

Put Another Log on the Fire

I brought this up and the Wed. night 2nd service but, I guess I felt a little like our beloved Pastor because no one else was as excited as I was at what the scripture said. I still think it is a miracle.

Leviticus 6:12,13 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offering on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
The Chumash says the fire in Moses Tabernacle burned for 116 years: 39 in the wilderness, 14 in Gilgal, 13 in Nob, and 50 in Gibeon. During all those years the Altar fire burned continuously, yet its thin copper layer never melted and its wooden structure was never charred.
Ok but where did they get the wood? Two things that are not in abundance in the desert are water and trees. God provided water did He also provide wood? There are not many trees in the wilderness today, but maybe then there were more. They could have all been used for firewood for the altar and that is why there are not many today.
I know about how much wood it takes to roast a Hebrew National hotdog, can you imagine how much it would have taken to burn a bull to ashes.
I would not have wanted to be on firewood detail.

Sandi

Things to make you go "Hmmm"

Here are some thoughts to ponder:
In Jesus' first "sermon" in the synagogue, he reads from Isaiah and says, "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he stops. He doesn't quote the end of that verse which reads, "and the day of vengeance of our God." All of his teachings on the Kingdom of God/Heaven in his early ministry focus on the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Kingdom--no judgment; just benefits and blessings associated with Kingdom living. In fact, it isn't until the end of his ministry as he heads to Jerusalem that he begins to speak of the coming Kingdom and its judgment and wrath.
Now, from the beginning, however, John preaches the standard Hebrew message of the Messiah--"He will baptize you with spirit and fire." Fire always seems to represent judgment. He also teaches that Messiah has his winnowing fork in his hand so that he can separate the wheat into the barn and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. John expected and taught that Messiah would exact vengeance and bring God's judgment on the unrighteous.
Here's the part that makes you go, "Hmmm." Is it possible that God removed John when he did to keep John from getting in the way of the advancing Kingdom? Since John's idea of the Messiah was different than Jesus' mode of operation, that could have caused problems. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come or if they should expect someone else...Jesus just wasn't doing things the way John interpreted the Scriptures.
At one point, Jesus says, "There is no one born of woman who is greater than John. Yet, he who is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John." That statement always seemed contradictory to me. Is it possible that John never truly became a disciple of Jesus? Jesus says he was a prophet and that he taught the same things as the prophets of old, but....Maybe the reason the least in the Kingdom is greater than John is because John never entered the Kingdom as he walked on the earth. He didn't fully buy into the whole love and forgiveness thing--he wanted fire and judgment. Therefore, if John questioned Jesus' Messiahship maybe he had to be removed before he spoke what he thought. He was, after all, an influential man with a following. Just a little something to ponder.