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?
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)
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?
The story of Judas Iscariot may be the most unsettling cautionary talk in all of Scripture. For three years Judas spent practically every day in the presence of the Son of God-experiencing his miracles, listening to his teachings, and watching him change lives and give hope to multitudes.
Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE (JUDAS, ISCARIOT)
Their predictions about Jesus can be found in many books of the Old Testament. The prophet Micah, for instance, said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2). Other Bible
Continue reading DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD TOLD MANY OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS BEFORE HE WAS EVEN BORN?
The Jewish religious leaders wanted arrest Jesus and have Him tried for blasphemy and treason. But they needed to take him into custody in a secluded place because of his popularity with the common people. They paid Judas to let them know when He could be arrested discreetly and under the cover of darkness.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER)
1.And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (LUKE 5:1-11 “THE FIRST DISCIPLES”)
God’s intention since the creation of the world is that one day a week should be set aside for rest and worship. The person who works seven days a week is cheating himself or herself out of this opportunity and frustrating the worthy goals to which his or her work is directed. For most Christians, Sunday is observed as that day of rest.
Continue reading SHOULD PEOPLE WORK ON SUNDAY?