As the final act of battle, Israel was sometimes required to dedicate everything in a “ban” (herem), which meant that the people and possessions of an entire city would be set apart for God and destroyed (Deut 7:2; 20:17; Josh 8:2; 1 Sam 15:3). Only the metal objects were saved (Josh 6:18-24). Those who transgressed the ban faced dire consequences (Josh 7).
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DEFINITION OF THE DAY (HOLY WAR PT1)
The Hebrew word for “war” occurs more than 300 times in the OT. The strategic position of Palestine between Mesopotamia and Egypt made war a harsh reality for most of its inhabitants during biblical times. Israel gained a foothold in this land by means of a war of conquest, and thereafter, by frequently defensive actions against intruders and invaders. Unfortunately, the history of war in Israel also included several civil conflicts.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (HOLY WAR PT1)MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)
Music was very much a part of religious life, and musicians had always been important. They were classed along with smiths and those who possessed flocks and herds. Jubal was recognized as the father of all who played the pipe (Gen 4:20-21). We therefore find many examples of music in Bible times. The instruments that were played are not always easy to identify from their Hebrew names, but the following instruments (arranged alphabetically) are the most important ones used:
Continue reading MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE (MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)DEFINITION OF DAY (LAYING ON OF HANDS)
Symbolic ceremonial act used to invoke a divine blessing or establish a connection for the purpose of sacrifice, ordination, or to impart spiritual gifts.
OLD TESTAMENT: A primary used of laying on of hands in the OT was sacrifices. In Lev 16 the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron concerning the Day of Atonement. At a particular point Aaron was told to place his hands upon a live goat and “confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites-all their sins-put them on the goat’s head” (Lev 16:21), transferring the sins of Israel to the goat.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF DAY (LAYING ON OF HANDS)DEFINITION OF THE DAY (MESSENGER)
One sent with a message. Messenger is often used in the literal sense (Gen 32:3,6; Num 20:14; 24:12; Deut 2:26). In an extended sense, the prophets (2 Chron 36:15-16; Isa 44:26; Hag 1:13) and
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It was not possible to separate warfare from religion. The connection of the two was evident in many aspects of military practice. To the Jews, God was the Lord of Hosts who went before them into battle (Exo 15:3; Judg 4:14; 1 Sam 17:45; Isaiah 42:13). There was a sacred “Book of the Wars of the Lord” (Num 21:14). Before going to war, the men had to keep themselves ritually clean, not even engaging in sexual relationships (2 Sam 11:11). Health laws were involved in the commandments concerning ceremonial uncleanliness, but there were other laws in operation as well as those (Deut 13:13-14).
Continue reading MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN THE BIBLE (WAR AND RELIGION)ISRAEL AT SINAI
Exodus 19 describes Israel arriving at Sinai. This chapter is important for understanding the events at Sinai, where Israel spent over two years (Numbers 10:11). God addressed the people as “the house of Jacob. . . the people of Israel . . .” (Exodus 19:3) as a way to remind them that they were the people of the covenant, the descendants of Abraham. What was about to happen at Sinai was not a new covenant with the people but an extension of the covenant God made with Abraham.
Continue reading ISRAEL AT SINAIEVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (STONING “AS A FORM OF EXECUTION” PT2)
These laws sound rigid and austere in their proclamations, and we cannot say for sure how often this particular punishment was employed. What we can say for sure is that exceptions were allowed, as illustrated by Jesus. He did not demand that the woman caught in adultery be executed but instead disarmed her executioners and urged her to leave her lift of sin (John 8:3-11).
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (STONING “AS A FORM OF EXECUTION” PT2)THE BEATITUDES
WHAT DO THE BEATITIUDDES MEAN?
Jesus surprised his disciples by telling them what kind of people would be blessed by God. His list of traits are called the Beatitudes, meaning “to bless” or “to make happy.”
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Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding the KJV translates the underlying Hebrew and Greek terms as “issue of blood” (Lev 12:7; Matt 9:20) or “fountain of blood” (Mark 5:29). Modern translations render these terms as hemorrhage, flow, or discharge of blood, Mosaic law said any discharge of blood, whether associated with the birthing process (Lev 12:7), with menstruation (Lev 15:19), or continued bleeding (Lev 15:25; Matt 9:20) rendered a woman unclean.
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