The prophet Zephaniah declared that God would eventually punish the Assyrians for their cruelty and pagan worship (Judges 1:6 and Nahum 2:3). Their capital city, Nineveh, would become a laughingstock among the nations.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (MOCKERY AND RIDICULE)
The psalmist has an extremely high view of God’s ability to respond mightily to the believer’s plea for help. He uses poetic language to describe the indescribable-God’s almighty power. God sounds frightening because He is. When God acts to help someone prevail over injustice, the energy God expends will be much more frightening than the victim’s adversary.
Continue reading WHY DOES GOD SEEM SO FRIGHTENING?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (JOHN 8:34-38)
One day, King Josiah noticed that the Temple needed repairs. So he ordered men to fix it up. While they were working, someone found a scroll with God’s laws written on it (2 Kings 22:8). When Josiah heard what was written on the scroll, he became very sad.
Continue reading DID YOU KNOW THAT A DUSTY SCROLL LED TO A GREAT NATIONAL REVIVAL
There are many things we may want in life but only two things we really need to sustain life: food and water. A famine takes both away. The famines mentioned in the Bible were typically initiated by a change in climate or a declaration of war. The food and water resources of the Promised Land were based on predictable climatic patterns that brought rain and dew into the region during expected season (Deut 11:10-15). This moisture recharged the springs and wells,
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (FAMINE PT1)
Thoughts, words, and actions by which humans rebel against God, miss His purpose for their lives, and surrender to the power of evil.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (SIN PT1)
Yes, God decides to prosper some nations (Old Testament Israel most dramatically) at the expense of neighboring nations (three are mentioned in this psalm). As land is limited, when God gives land to Israel, it must come at someone’s expense. In this case, Canaanite fiefdoms “lose.” in that sense, some nations are put down.
Continue reading DOES GOD “PUT DOWN” CERTAIN NATIONS?
The law of retaliation in the Old Testament permitted a person to put out an eye or knock out a tooth of an offender who had inflicted such injuries upon him (Exodus 21:23-25). But Jesus calls for a higher code of behavior from His followers. (“Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also,” Matthew 5:39.)
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (DO NOT RETALIATE)
King Sennacherib of Assyria had a huge army and ruled a large empire. And he was determined to add Judah to the list of nations under his control. He believed that no one could resist his demands-after all. Assyria had never lost a war, and Judah was a small nation. But Sennacherib failed to realize that Judah was different-it’s king, Hezekiah, depended on the Lord to fight Judah’s battles.
Continue reading DID YOU KNOW THAT AN ANGEL ONCE DESTROYED AN ENTIE ARMY?
Yet another reason for seeking a concubine was to demonstrate control over the assets and legacy of a father or king. Reuben attempted to force the hand of Jacob into declaring him the primary heir of the family by sleeping with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). The same happened in royal circles. Abner, Absalom, and Adonijah all either slept with a king’s concubine or attempted to do so in order to advance their legitimacy as a royal figure (2 Sam 3:7; 16:21-22; 1 Kings 2:17, 21-25).
Continue reading EVERDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (CONCUBINE PT2)