As students , we learned to raise our hand in the classroom to gain recognition to speak. The en masse raising of hands at a sporting event signals celebration. Neither of these forms of hand raising are apparent in the art and literature of the ancient Near East, but we do find both morals and gods depicted with uplifted hands in a variety of scenarios.
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (HANDS “TO RAISE OR STRETCH OUT” PT 1 OF 3)
Isn’t it amazing how an entire life can change in a moment? That’s the way it happened for the unnamed woman we meet in John 4.
Continue reading WOMEN OF THE BIBLE (THE SAMARITAN WOMAN “MEETING THE THIRST QUENCHER”)
Most Christians approach this topic from one of three viewpoints. One group sees all the gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 as still operative today. Another group says that the more spectacular, so-called “sign” gifts (prophecy, tongues, healing) were given only for the beginning era of the church (people who hold this position are called “cessationists”). Still others teach that all the gifts were temporary in nature.
Continue reading WHAT SHOULD WE BELIEVE ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
Sailors of ancient times tended to be very superstitious because of their constant exposure to the dangers of the sea. When a storm struck the ship in which Jonah was escaping from the call of the Lord, they assumed the pagan gods were punishing them because of their displeasure with one person on board.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (SUPERSTITIOUS SAILORS)
Someone once remarked that growing old isn’t a battle but a massacre.
Sadly, in most cases this is all too true. If we live long enough, we are forced to grieve a lone, painful series of losses. As we age, we say farewell-usually to our careers, often to our health, sometimes to our memories, always to the independent lives we once knew. And the older we get, the more often we will have to stand in funeral homes and cemeteries and say goodbye to beloved family members and dear friends.
Continue reading WOMAN OF THE BIBLE (ANNA “FAITHFUL TO THE VERY END”)
Two onyx stones were attached to this garment and were inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes (Exod 28:9-12; 39:6-7). Similarly, the small cloth breast piece that the high priest wore over the ephod had twelve precious and semiprecious stones attached to it, each engraved with the name of one of Israel’s tribes gold plate was slung so that it faced forward. It was engraved with the phrase “HOLY TO THE LORD” (Exod 28:36; 39:30). Solomon’s temple was also filled with handiwork that called for the skill of the engravers. The panels of the ten
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE BIBLE TIMES (ENGRAVE PT 2 OF 2)
This verse shows God’s desire that cities of refuge be established throughout the land once the Israelites had conquered and settled the land of Canaan. Any person who caused the accidental death of another could seek refuge in one of these cities until it was determined through due process what punishment, if any, should be levied against him.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (ACCIDENTAL DEATH)
1.Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (PROVERBS 8:1-36 “THE EXCELLENCE OF WISDOM”)
The Bible never explicitly condemns polygamy. Many Old Testament leaders accumulated wives in a manner similar to the pagan kings of the ancient Middle East without divine disapproval. A closer look, however, reveals that God originally defined marriage as “a man
Continue reading WHY DID DAVID (“A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART”) KEEP SO MANY WIVES?
It’s hard to find nice things to say about the woman whose name has become synonymous for being shameless, brazen, and morally bankrupt.
Jezebel came from royalty-her father was Ethbaal, a Phoenician king. She also married into royalty-her husband, Ahab, was the king of the ten tribes that made up the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 16:29-33),
Continue reading WOMAN OF THE DAY (JAZEBEL “HOW NOT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE”)