It is commonly thought that Jesus was talking in Matthew 11:28 about the yoke that harnessed animals together when they were pulling a plough or a load. He was instead referring to a piece of wood that was fitted over one’s shoulders so that loads could be hung on it. The device was similar to the yoke used by the milkmaid of a bygone age when she was carrying two pails.
Continue reading MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (JESUS YOKE)
“The pit” is called “Sheol” in some translations, and this psalm presupposes that actual places exist in the realm of the spirit. Not quite.
Continue reading WHERE IS “THE PIT”?
1.We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (ROMANS 15:1-12 “LIVING TO PLEASE OTHERS”)
In the Bible an orphan was a boy or girl, Israelite or non-Israelite, who was unmarried and had lost one or both parents. The circumstances of such children are best understood when compared to the perceived ideal family living situation in Israel. The ideal was a father, mother, and their sons and daughters who owned farmland inherited from the father’s family. The land allowed them to grow their food and graze their animals with the support of and under the protection of the extended family.
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIME (ORPHAN PT1)
Old Testament law distinguished between sins of ignorance, or sin unintentionally (Lev 4:2, 13-14; Num 15:24-29), and premeditated sins (“sin presumptuously” or with a high hand, Num. 15:30-31). Sins committed in ignorance incur guilt (Lev 4:13,22,27); however, the sacrificial system provided atonement for such sin (Lev 4; 5:5-6). In contrast, “high-handed” or “presumptuous” sin is an affront to the Lord punishable by exclusion from the people of God. The Law provided no ritual cleansing for such sin (Num 15:30-31).
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (IGNORANCE)
A warrior hero built this city. How fitting since Babylon one of the oldest cities on the planet-eventually flexed its muscles and conquered most of the Middle East to become the sprawling Babylonian Empire,
Nimrod was that warrior. A descendant of Noah’s second son, Ham, Nimrod “built the foundation for his empire in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babel [Hebrew for “Babylon”], Erech, Akkad, and Calneh” (Genesis 10:10).
Continue reading A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT (BABYLON)