It was Solomon who built up a professional army, for through taxation and trading he was able to accumulate sufficient wealth to pay for it (1 Kings 10:25-27). In times of national emergency the regular army was supplemented by conscripts. Recruiting officers went through the tribes on such occasions and were still in use at a much later date (2 Kings 25:18; 2 Chronicles 11:1).
Continue reading MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (SOLOMON’S ARMY)
God’s concern for the poor is also demonstrated in this law (see notes on Deuteronomy 24:10-11 and Deuteronomy 24:12-13).
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (OLIVES FOR THE POOR)
The land of Palestine, known for its dry climate, had limited rainfall. Moisture for crop production was supplemented by heavy dews (Deuteronomy 33:13). Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS & CURIOSITIES (PATIENT WAITING)
Judges 7:14- “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”
Gideon was threshing grain in a wine a press, to hide it from the marauding, when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Jud 6:12). Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE “GIDEON”
Conservative churches that discourage or ban use of alcoholic beverages are bewildered at the production of wine as Jesus’ first miracle. Such churches have sometimes insisted that the wine in John 2 was nonalcoholic, despite the wedding guests’ unusual delight and appreciation of it. Surely, Jesus did make very good wine, yet not hint of alcoholic abuse clouds this account. Continue reading DOES JESUS’ MIRACLE AT CANA ENCOURAGE THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?