This veil, or curtain, separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Only the high priest was allowed behind this curtain, and he could go into the Most Holy Place only once a year-on the Day of Atonement-to offer sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people (Lev 16:34).
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS & CURIOSITIES (EQUAL ACCESS TO GOD)
One of the remarkable institutions of Bible times was the Jewish legal system. It was quite different from anything that existed in any contemporary society of the time. There was no written law in Egypt at all, and the legal systems of Babylon and other nations were not documents to which judicial reference was made but rather were collections of the King’s judgment for the use of the people. Judgment was the action of the king who not only made the law but actually was the law.
Continue reading MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (THE LEGAL SYSTEM)
Meaning “to feel passion with someone” or “to enter sympathetically into one’s sorrow and pain.” In various translations of the Bible, this English word is used to translate at least five Hebrew words in the OT and eight Greek words in the NT. The subtle variations in the original terms are emphasized below, with the inevitable overlapping of meaning being apparent.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (COMPASSION)
He did this by setting aside His prerogatives and privileges as a member of the Godhead, the Trinity, and becoming human. John describes the possibility of seeing the glory of God in Jesus (John 1:14), while Paul assures us that divine glory was joined to human particularity when Jesus took the form and nature of man- and a commoner at that.
Continue reading HOW COULD JESUS GIVE UP HIS DIVINE PRIVILEGES?
Temples built for polytheistic worship, many pagan temples within the land of Canaan predated Solomon’s temple and some featured similar designs. The earliest excavated temples from the Chalcolithic Period (4600-3300 B.C.), such as those uncovered at Ein Gedi in 1961 and Eshtaol in 2013, illustrate the ubiquitous nature of pagan worship in Canaan prior to the arrival of Abram (Gen 12:5). The cultic site at Eshtaol contained a standing stone, just over four feet high and smoothed on all sides; it was erected to face east.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (PAGAN TEMPLES, PT1)
The spirit of the seventh commandment is taught by Jesus Matthew 5:27-30. Looking lustfully at a member of the opposite sex is an action far short of intercourse. Yet Jesus warns that this common daily occurrence violates the intentions of the commandment.
Continue reading DOES THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT PERMIT SEXUAL ACITIVITY, AS LONG AS ADULTERY IS AVOIDED?
Music was very much a part of religious life, and musicians had always been important. They were classed along with smiths and those who possessed flocks and herds. Jubal was recognized as the father of all who played the pipe (Gen 4:20-21). We therefore find many examples of music in Bible times. The instruments that were played are not always easy to identify from their Hebrew names, but the following instruments (arranged alphabetically) are the most important ones used:
Continue reading MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)
2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (1 TIMOTHY 2:1-7 “PRAY FOR ALL MEN”)
Zechariah foresaw a future time when all of the nations would worship the one true God. The praise of the Lord would be so widespread that even horses would have “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” inscribed on the bells on their harnesses. These are the same words embroidered on the hat worn by the high priest of Israel (Exod 28:36).
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (HOLINESS AND HORSES)22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (2 CORINTHIANS 11:22-33 “SUFFERING FOR CHIRST”)