Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TZEMACH

 TZEMACH

The word “Tzemach” is apparently the Hebrew word meaning to sprout, blossom, prosper, spring forth, etc. It evidently refers primarily to organic material coming forth from the ground. 

In the book of Zechariah, a branch is considered to be the tzemach because it is that which comes forth and starts in a small way before it enlarges, spreads, and encompasses a much larger space. In fact, Zechariah used this concept in a message of prophecy to Jehozadek, the high priest.

 

…speak to him saying…

‘Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch!

From His place He shall branch out, 

And He shall build the temple of the Lord;

…He shall bear the glory, 

And shall sit and rule on His throne… 

(Zechariah 6:12-13) 

This was not the first time the concept was used. In chapter 3 of the same book we read Zechariah saying:

…For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the Branch. 

(Zechariah 3:8)

In addition, Isaiah used similar language when he said:

In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious… 

(Isaiah 4:2)

…when he referred to the time of the renewal of Zion. Also,

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,

And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 

(Isaiah 11:1)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,

“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;

A King shall reign and prosper,

And execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. 

(Jeremiah 23:5)

In those days and at that time

I will cause to grow up to David

A Branch of righteousness;

He shall execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. 

(Jeremiah 33:15)

And as John says in chapter 15:

I am the vine, you are the Branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing. 

(John 15:5)

In a number of books then, prophecy refers to Jesus as being the Branch or the Tzemach; that which starts small and continues to grow until it encompasses much more than initially thought, eventually the entire world. And as it enlarges, the Branch eventually becomes the vine and we, in turn, become the branches to hopefully keep spreading what the vine has to offer: the Good News for all of us.

Something further to keep thinking about.

Adapted from The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Chan pg 143  

 

Pastor Matthew Trott July 19 2026

 

Pastor Matthew Trott July 19 2026

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Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 50

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 50

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Dr. Barlay with Something to Think About - EVE

EVE

There are many aspects of Scripture which are lost to us because of the way we are expected to read the Bible. In many cases these aspects are subtle and the full meaning not evident. Such is the case with Eve.

We often speak of Adam and Eve as if the two were as one, and in many ways that is true; but in the beginning man’s companion was just called “the woman,” or in Hebrew “ha-ishah.” She was not called Eve until sometime later. 

That time came just after the fall and God placed a curse on man for violating His command. He said to her:

I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;

In pain you shall bring forth children… 

(Genesis 3:16)

Just after this… 

…Adam called his wife’s name Eve…

(Genesis 3:20)

Up to this time in the Bible there is no indication that anything that was in existence had not been created by God but now woman had been given the role of procreation. Thus, Adam renamed his wife Eve, which means “Life-Giver,” for she was to be the giver of life to all humanity. No where up to this point in time had man been told to have children. They had been put…

…in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 

(Genesis 2:16)

It was initially through Eve that they were to be… 

…fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it 

[and] have dominion over…every living thing that moves on the earth. 

(Genesis 1:28)

The timing and naming of Eve; another small but significant detail in the Bible.

And another little thing to think about.

Pastor Jasmine Trott July 12, 2016 Parts 1 &2

 

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Pastor Jasmine Trott July 12, 2016 Part 1

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Pastor Jasmine Trott July 12, 2016 Part 2

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Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 49

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE FEW

THE FEW

In John 6, we read these words spoken by Jesus:

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;

Therefore anyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 

(John 6:44,45)

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 

(John 6:66)

In Acts1, we are told that in the upper room Peter stood in the midst of the disciples and… 

…the number of names was about a hundred and twenty… 

(Acts 1:15)

During His ministry, Jesus spoke to thousands of people who seemed enthusiastic enough to, at least on one occasion, want to make Him their king.

…Jesus perceived that they were about to come 

and take Him by force to make Him king…

(John 6:15)

They had been so taken with His miracles, and what was happening, that it seemed they would follow forever but, in reality, it seems they were more enthralled by what Jesus could do for them than for who Jesus in fact was. And when they determined that He was not there just to do their bidding many left.

And so it is still today. There are many who have apparently heard but have not learned from the Father. Even though the Gospel can be preached in all the world, there seems to be few at present who learn from it. This goes along with what we are told will develop as time goes on. Even though technology makes if easier to spread the Good News, there seems to be fewer and fewer people accepting and learning it. As it states in 2 Thessalonians:

 

Let no one deceive you…

for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first… 

(2 Thessalonians 2:3)

And that falling away certainly seems to be happening at present. An article in the Globe and Mail more than 17 years ago pointed out that church attendance had dropped from 60 percent in 1945 to 21 percent in 2005; with one university student admitting that:

“I don’t know the Bible.”* 

If people can hear about the Father through all means of technology but don’t learn about the Father then are they among those who don’t come to Jesus or…

…[turn] back and walk with Him no more. 

(John 6:66)

And, is this also in part why we are told… 

…narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, 

and there are few who find it[?] 

(Matthew 7:14)

For there are apparently many who have heard but have not 

…learned from the Father… 

(John 6:45) 

As a result, and as Jesus Himself said:

…many will come in My name…

and will deceive many.

(Matthew 24:5) 

Apparently motivated by Satan who…

…deceives the whole world… 

(Revelation 12:9)

When Jesus did not provide for the people exactly what they wanted, they apparently did not learn what they needed to know about Him and so walked away. How many of us today still hear but do not learn, so that only a few are left?

It is something to think about.

*Friesen, Joe. “The Bible is no longer considered part of the conversation.” Global and Mail, Apr 10, 2009. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/incoming/the-bible-is-no-longer-considered-part-of-the-conversation/article1196374/