The story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is one of the most perplexing and controversial narratives in the Bible. On the surface, it seems cruel and immoral for God to ask a father to kill his own child. However, when we look deeper into the story and the context in which it is told, we can see that it is a powerful metaphor for faith, obedience, and ultimate trust in God’s plan.
Continue reading HOW COULD GOD ASK ABRAHAM TO KILL HIS SON?
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (PROVERBS 15:1-14)
The firstborn of an unclean animal had to be redeemed by an estimation of the priest, with the addition of one-fifth (Lev 27:27; Num 18:15). According to Exod. 13:13; 34:20, the firstborn of an ass was either ransomed by a sheep or lamb, or its neck had to be broken.
Figuratively, Israel was God’s “firstborn” (Exod 4:22; Jer 31:9) and enjoyed priority status. God compared His relationship to Israel with the relationship of a father and his firstborn son. Within Israel, the tribe of Levi represented the firstborn of the nation in its worship ceremony (Num 3:40-41; 8:18).
Continue reading DEFINITIONS OF THE DAY (FIRST BORN PT 2 OF 2)
The ten plagues were direct attacks against the false gods of Egypt. The following table shows a possible pairing, among many, of plagues and Egyptian gods. However it might have been, it is certain that God was showing that Pharaoh was a false god. Only the LORD is God, and only he is in control of creation, including Egypt.
Continue reading THE TEN PLAGUES
The grandson of Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa is best known for being the first to execute one of Jesus’ disciples. “He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw much this pleased the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter” (Acts 12:2-3). An angel freed Peter.
Continue reading A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT (HEROD AGRIPPA I)
Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to your from other men” (Hosea 1:2).
Continue reading A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT (GOMER)
THE DEAD CHURCH
1.And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (REVELATION 3:1-13 “THE DEAD CHURCH, THE FAITHFUL CHURCH”)
Many, but not all, of the deities worshiped in the mysteries were originally associated with fertility. As such, their associated myths often referred to the natural cycle as it waxes and wanes (for instance, Demeter) or to the dying and rising of a god (Attis, Adonis, Osirs). Some scholars thing that the mysteries used this feature of the myth to give symbolic expression of rising to immorality with the deity. However, not all scholars agree; some deities venerated in mystery religions did not die or rise; moreover, the exact use of the myth in the mysteries is often unclear, though some concept of immorality seems to be implied.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (MYSTERY RELEIGIONS PT 2 OF 2)
Solomon’s list of times and “seasons” must be viewed within the larger context of life an history. He is not necessarily saying, “Hey, it’s twelve o’clock, time to kill-so go out and bump someone off.” Rather, Solomon insists that human life takes place within a larger framework of events that repeat down through history: laughter, tears, killing, healing, destruction, building, death, birth.
Continue reading AGAINST SO MANY BIBLICAL COMMANDS, HOW CAN SOLOMON ADVISE THAT THERE IS A TIME TO KILL, TO TEAR DOWN, AND TO HATE?
Ehud killed the king of Moab, Eglon, by plunging a sword into his stomach. However, Eglon’s death was a result of God’s punishment for oppressing the people of Israel for eighteen years. It is not a question of murder serving God’s will. Rather, God
Continue reading HOW DOES MURDER SERVE GOD’S WILL AND WIN GOD’S APPROVAL?