Christianity Oasis Forum

[xxJILLxx]

God has been laying on my heart to study:

Tarshish and healing pools, dont know if the study is supposed to be linked or seperate studies but thought if i start typing thoughts here it will help me to looking on these subjects and maybe gain your wisdom and insight on these subjects.

So i shall return.... If led to leave info please do so.

Gb

♥Jill

I'll add scripture and thoughts as I study.

[Dora]

Will be interesting to read what the Lord has shown you Jillie

[xxJILLxx]

The name Tarshish is assigned four times in the Bible. The first Tarshish is a son of Javan, son of Japheth, son of Noah. Most famously is Tarshish, the city famed for its wealth and merchant fleet (1 Ki 10:22), but which location is unknown. Many believe it was in Spain


In the Old Testament Tarshish is connected with the merchant navy; merchant ships are referred to as `ships of Tarshish', even when they sail for Ophir. (1 Ki 22:48).

Theologians suggests that the name of the wealthy city Tarshish may mean Refinery, probably in the language of its most likely location.

Tarshish is mentioned here and there as subject of God's wrath (Ps 48:7, Isa 2:16, 23:1),

You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a powerful east wind.(psalms 48:7)

For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased.
Against all the ships of Tarshish And against all the beautiful craft.(Isaiah 2:12, 16)

The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, O ships of Tarshish, For Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor; It is reported to them from the land of Cyprus. (Isaiah 23:1)

Tyre was destroyed... first by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Alexander the great. And tho this prophecy seemed directly to respect the former destruction, after seventy years, Tyre should recover some former power and glory, before her second and final destruction.

Tyre was the mart of the nations. Her merchants were princes, and lived like princes. Let the ruin of Tyre warn all places and persons to take heed of pride; for he who exalts himself shall be abased.

Tarshish was mostly known for its great success in the economical arena. Isaiah even predicts that Tarshish is not going to be simply destroyed, as were Sodom and Gomorrah, but that it will one day be employed to service God

But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3)

So Jonah heard the voice of the Lord telling him to go to preach to the gentiles, but instead he went to Tarshish ...

Hmmm.. makes me think He was being downright rebellious and headed to a rich city.. This speaks to me that Jonah not only rebelled but he headed to a state of being well off and not wanting to do the work that God wanted him to do.

He prayed to the LORD and said, "Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity (Jonah 4:2)

People want to be comfortable and live their lives the way they want to live them in the comfort of their own homes, assuming that God will "understand" why I dont do what He wants me to do.

the word Complacency comes into my mind.

God will destroy that complacency and comfortableness (is that even a word? ha ha)

Ok so now He's telling me this is what we as Americans are going through.
Spoiled rotten we are, living in Tarshish, but we are living in a state of self destruction but we saw it as a time of self edification, living as Princes.

This has definately got me thinking now... More later

[vahn]

Glad you brought this up Jill , it gave me yet another reason to sift through the Bible , and any thing that leads to the reading of the Word it's worth a thank you or two .

As far the location of Tarshish is concerned , John 1:3 refers to it as "City at great distance from Palestine" .
Being born in Lebanon (a couple of hundred Km's from Tyre ) myself , and also having gone through it on more than one occasion (to and fro from Jerusalem ) on my grandfather's pilgrimage , Tarshish is still used in the dialect when it comes to the history of Tyre . Things like , "if it wasn't for Tyre , Tarshish would not be able to move all its riches , basically like the ones you mentioned above . But , however , when it comes to the location of Tarshish itself , the tendency of its whereabouts shifts more toward Persia , rather than Spain (I myself never heard of Spain for its riches) , But that is not the issue , is it ?

When I read the Word , I have to first remind myself and prepare myself to read it on the Spiritual realm -- The Word of God , God is Spirit -- right?

When it comes to Tarshish , on the Spiritual plain it is referred to riches , and with riches comes the bartering -- I bring you my riches , and you give me more riches to take back , City of Tyre -- and with riches also comes arrogance , aloofness , pride , independence (of God) , self-sufficiency and an above-it-all attitude and worst of all "I can buy everything that God created" .
Why was Tyre destroyed ? It was Tarshish that was the bad boy right ? Well , bartering , they were bringing their arrogance to Tyre to trade it with the Cedars of Lebanon and silver that God had appointed to beautify His City with , and Tyre was trading it with the more "higher uppers" the people with more "money" , well the more "money" Tyre got the more they started acting like Tarshish , "we can buy anything that God created" . The root of all sin is what ? Love of money , and God hates sin , so off with its head , I get Tyre ,Tarshish will die of starvation , no more sin .

Maybe ?


Oh , P.S. By the way , Tyre in those times , was part of Palestine , including Israel , now Tyre is in Lebanon .

[xxJILLxx]

HI vahn!

Vahn said

Tarshish is still used in the dialect when it comes to the history of Tyre . Things like , "if it wasn't for Tyre , Tarshish would not be able to move all its riches

wow I totally forgot you lived over that way, and it is interesting that they still refer to that. Your insight is much helpful!

Vahn said

When I read the Word , I have to first remind myself and prepare myself to read it on the Spiritual realm -- The Word of God , God is Spirit -- right?

I couldnt understand why God laid it on my heart to study Tarshish, I had no idea what it meant. But that is the awesome thing of God! He wants us to search Him out, He likes to surprise us and take us on adventures with Him. And its so exciting .

Dont mind me being random as i am just goig to type down what I hear from God and try putting the pieces together like a puzzle

So now He is speaking to me , the economy crash... and how we had partnered with love of money, that in itself being evil.

So basically like He is saying you love your evil, I will take your evil devices from you in hopes that you will repent. Because He is a loving God and wants to be restored to us ( Us-speaking about the people in general)

When our economy crashed the whole world felt its effects, not just us. So it would be safe to assume that this is a worldwide thing, not just for the u.s.

Also I am refelcting on my inner man, or woman , to see if there is any arrogance or pride in myself so if there is I may repent. Because sometimes when he lays these things on my heart it is not only about a "people" but something in there for me to learn from as well, and turn.

So now Im also thinking does this have to do with the end times. Like Tyre from what i studied it was restablished for a short while til its final destruction.

So thoughts of His coming enter my mind.

Now what does healing pools have to do with all of this?

Maybe that during the time after the big crash, there will be a time of healing?


SO beyond complacency. Arrogance of being complacent.

Wow thanks vahn! Appreciate all the insight and welcome more!

Wheels are turning now.

Gb
♥Jill

[xxJILLxx]

healing pools

"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked"
- John 5:1-9


He cannot walk. There is only the mercy of others. Perhaps family members carry him to the Bethesda pool in the morning, and pick him up at evening. Day after day, year after year, he shares stories with those who suffer alongside hoping to win the angelic healing lottery one day.

But this is his lucky day! The Son of God enters and asks, "Do you want to be healed?" God doesn't ask us questions because he lacks information. The question is a gift to lead our thoughts in the right direction. Possibly the healing brings with it a price that should be considered. Lets ask it in a different way.

"Do you want to leave all of your dependencies? Do you want to leave behind all excuses and take on the responsibility of life? This Scripture can apply not only to those with physical disabilities, but all of our emotional and spiritual ones as well. Jesus asks us all, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Do we really want the new and harder job, or is it more convenient to complain about money? Do we want to leave loneliness behind, and take on the joy and responsibility of a relationship with a person who will heal the isolation, but also force us to altar our selfish lifestyle?

Ok God watcha trying to tell me?

[vahn]

Isn't it odd , but true though ? I see a lot of people who come right to the edge of the pool , but for one reason or other they stop short in their tracks and wait for someone else to push them in or something , they dont jump !
Happens a lot in AA , and , sometimes here even , they get to the meetings , walk up to me and start spilling out their drinking woes on me , I'm like "Is there a tattoo on my forehead that says 'I give a hoot'?" , I know why you're here ! what is it you want to do about it ?"

That's the way it is with our Lord , He just simply cuts through the chase . I mean He knew why where that man was , and why he was there for , but when the man started with his "well, I dont have this and no one that" story , He just "do want to heal or what ? Then pick your butt off the floor and start walking !!"
You know what else ? He never "helped" any one to walk , He just simply told them to . Except one one occasion when He made mud with His spittle (the meaning of which Ive yet to fond out) and placed it on the blind man's eyes , He always said it is your faith (in Me) that healed you .
So , when we have enough faith , that the water in the pool will heal , why don't we have enough of it to jump in with , and wait for someone to push us in ?

[Mackenaw]

Hello Jilly and Vahn and Everyone,

God bless you this day.

Awesome discussion -- thank you both for what you've shared.

Healing pool(s). Jesus is The Water, He is The Healer. Therefore, wouldn't the church/body of Christ also be the healing pool?

He told the Apostles to go and share the Gospel of Jesus throughout the world and cast out demons and heal the sick.

Jesus also said that we would do more...

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.

God bless you.
Love,
Mack

[deetu]

The thing that came to my mind as I was reading the healing pools was the vision of BIG, beautiful houses that people have to strive to work harder to be able to pay for but don't get to enjoy because they are working harder to be able to pay for but aren't there to enjoy because they are working...

If times were different that this man could stay by the pool waiting, what about today where we are too busy to wait for anything? How can we heard Jesus say "pick up your mat and walk" if we are too busy making money to stop and hear.

And I don't know about you but after 38 years, I would have scooted near the edge and rolled in once the waters were moving. Could the man have used this as an excuse so that people would provide for him and Jesus used him as an opportunity?

Question I always had. Was only the first person in healed or the first people in while the water was stirred? Or was the water only stirred for a short time that only the few people made it in?

[xxJILLxx]

Hi all!

all very good points!

Vahn, yes i do agree.. close to the edge and waiting, i have done this a few times in my life as well.
Mack said

Healing pool(s). Jesus is The Water, He is The Healer. Therefore, wouldn't the church/body of Christ also be the healing pool?

Yes mack and when i read of that i thought of Haiti, Tyre being destroyed but rebuilt somewhat and during that time of rebuilding, there was a lilttle bit of healing maybe?

Deetu said

If times were different that this man could stay by the pool waiting, what about today where we are too busy to wait for anything? How can we heard Jesus say "pick up your mat and walk" if we are too busy making money to stop and hear

.

I agree and can see how being busy making riches (Tarshish) can steer us away from the healing pool. Awesome insight!

I want to look into this a bit more, I feel God nudging me on this verse:

Surely the coastlands will wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, For the name of the LORD your God, And for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you. (Isaiah 60:9)

This verse speaks beauty to me!

vessels that trade to the most distant regions will be among the foremost to bring back the scattered Israelites (Isa 66:20).

their silver-The nations among whom the Jews have been scattered shall help them with their money in returning (Isa 60:5-7, 11, 16), as was the case at the return from Babylon (Ezr 1:4)

[Isaiah 45:1] THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED, TO CYRUS, WHOSE RIGHT HAND I HAVE HOLDEN, TO SUBDUE NATIONS BEFORE HIM; AND I WILL LOOSE THE LOINS OF KINGS, TO OPEN BEFORE HIM THE TWO LEAVED GATES; AND THE GATES SHALL NOT BE SHUT;

also this verses stood out
[Isaiah 23:10] PASS THROUGH THY LAND AS A RIVER, O DAUGHTER OF TARSHISH: THERE IS NO MORE STRENGTH.

Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

Isaiah 23:3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.


Isaiah even predicts that Tarshish is not going to be simply destroyed, as were Sodom and Gomorrah, but that it will one day be employed to service God .

Hmmm.. be back later, got me thinking

You guys gettin anything from theses verses?
Gb
♥Jill

[vahn]

Ok ,.. Today , the Gentiles are the Greatest Christian Nation (as opposed to the Jews ) Why ?
They were waiting for Him (and still are) right ? He Promised them , and He stood firm on His Promise AND Delivered . (I will wait for you on the shores , of Israel (Tyre) for My Ship to come in . They "destroyed the ship" .

I mean where are the Sadduccees (however you spell that). There are none right ? Why is that ? , Because they don't have a Temple (Tyre , shore)

" I will take my Blessings (Tarshish) away from them and give it to the Gentiles to stir jealousy in them " .... "I will destroy this Temple (Tyre) and rebuild it in three days" , (He didn't say WHERE) .

A gift is ONLY as beautiful as it is received . The flip side of that is , as ugly as where it is MISUSED . But .. It is still the SAME GIFT . He just takes it from their hands and gives it to the other and other and other until His Ship of Tarshish Sails through the Clouds .

[xxJILLxx]

Yes ! That makes perfect sense!


awesome thank you Vahn!

Will post more thoughts later

Gb
♥Jill