This verse is part of Jeremiah’s declaration that God would bring down the Egyptians because of their idol worship, “No” refers to Thebes, the thriving capital of Upper Egypt that was clustered on both sides of the Nile River. The Hebrew word translated as “multitude” by the King James Version actually refers to the Egyptian god Amon, the chief deity of the city of Thebes.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURISITIES (AMON, GOD OF THEBES)
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (ROMANS 3:21-31 “CHRIST TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT”)
The Hebrew verb “make sport” is used to indicate ridicule (e.g. Gen 21:9) but also sport in the sense of entertainment (Jug 16:25,27) or play (Exod 32:6; 104:26; Zech 8:5).
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The Romans appear to have at least two types of whips for flogging. The more serious of the two, the flagellum, consisted of a handle with leather straps attached to it. Knots were tied into the straps with bone or sharp metal bits tied onto them. This was the device used prior to crucifixion to brutalize those condemned so severely that they would be incapable of effective resistance. There was no limit to the number of blows that could be struck, and the beating often continued until the flesh hung down in bloody strips.
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (FLOG,WHIP,SCOURAGE PT2)
Flogging was a form of punishment that employed a variety of devices to lash the exposed flesh of the victim. The biblical authors describe this grisly business with a variety of Greek and Hebrew terms, each of which has been translated in our English versions in more than one way. That makes this phenomenon a bit more difficult to trace through the pages of our Bible. But we will get the basics by tracing the terms flogging, whipping, and scourging.
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Giving the powerful role that fasting might play in developing this perspective, the biblical authors are roundly critical of those who abuse it. Typically, the presentation of fasting is surrounded by positive connotations, as when Luke mentions the widow Anna, who spent her days at the temple praying and fasting (Luke 2:36-37). But those who presumed that the mere act of fasting was sufficient in and of itself as leverage with which to force the Almighty into
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This taunt by King Ben-hadad of Syria (1 Kings 20:10) and the reply of his enemy-King Ahab of Israel (1 King 20:11)-are good examples of ancient psychological warfare. Opposing armies often used such tactics. They attempted to gain the upper hand even before they drew their swords by intimidating the other side with taunts and threats.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (PSYCHOLOGICAL WAREFARE)
In the New Testament, a disciple is simply a learner, someone who subscribes to the teachings of another. A disciple of Christ, then, was one who followed Christ to learn His ways in word and deed. Outside of the Gospels, only a handful of verses in the New Testament use the word.
Continue reading WHAT’S THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN A DISCIPLE AN A CHRISTIAN?
SIN’S CONSEQUENCES – The Bible looks upon sin in any form as the most serious of humanity’s problems. Though sinful acts may be directed against another person, ultimately every sin is against God, the Creator of all things. David acknowledged this in his confession in Psalm 51. David sinned against many people (2 Sam 11:1-12; 23), and yet David confessed: “Against You-You alone-I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight” (Psa 51:4).
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (SIN “SIN’S CONSEQUENCES”)
On the last night of His life, Jesus took His disciples to their usual place for Him to pray, the garden of Gethsemane. “And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast: and he kneeled down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:41-42). Mark adds that prior to His prayer, the Lord took “with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled. And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch” (Mark 14:33-34). The Greek word used by Mark and translated as “exceeding sorrowful” is “agonizo.” Jesus struggled as He prayed this most important prayer.
Continue reading NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE