Created beings whose primary function is to serve and worship God. Though some interpret the “us” in Gen 1:26 as inclusive of God and His angelic court, the Bible does not comment as to when they were created. Unlike God they are not eternal or omniscient. The Hebrew word in the OT is mal’ak, and the NT Greek word is angelos. They both mean “messenger” and occasionally refer to human messengers.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (ANGEL 1 OF 3)
If we tear our clothing, it is generally by accident unless we are tearing up an old garment for rags. This was not true in the culture of Bible times where the tearing of one’s garment was an external sign of one’s internal pain. The average person of the era did not have multiple changes of clothing like we do in our closets and dressers; consequently, they took great care to prevent accident tearing of their clothing (Exod 28:32; Matt 9:16; Mark 2:21). But there was “a time to tear and a time to mend” (Eccles 3:7); the time to intentionally tear was a time of intense grief that might have included repentance.
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (TEAR A GARMENT PT 1 OF 2)
In our eclectic, pluralistic era, it may sound arrogant to claim that God forgives sins by one way only, and that one person only-Jesus-speaks the truth about God. How can Christians be so exclusive?
Continue reading IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD?
Chapter 15 and 16 of Isaiah contain the prophet’s declaration of God’s judgment against the Moabites, enemies of the Israelites. The Lord would humiliate these people. Isaiah declared, by making them bald and cutting off their beards.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (HAIRLESS MOABITES)
You know you should pray for your church. But where to begin? The building needs a new roof. Vacation Bible School could use more teachers. People get sick and ask for our prayers. What does God want you to pray for?
Continue reading HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHURCH
Cloth covering. 1. Women’s veils Rebekah veiled herself before meeting Isaac (Gen 24:65). Her veil was perhaps the sign that she was a marriageable maiden. Tamar used her veil to conceal her identity from Judah (Gen 38:14,19). Another Hebrew term renders “veil” at Isa 3:23. Here veils are but one of the items of finery the elite women of Jerusalem would lose in the coming siege. The same Hebrew term in rendered “shawl” (NASB), “cloak” (HCSB, NIV, REB), and “mantle” (KJV, NRSV) at Song 5:7. There, removal of the shawl was part of a
Continue reading DEFINITION OF DAY (VEIL)
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of how God’s people came home form Babylon. They had spent man years there because they had disobeyed God. Now that they were home, they wanted to let God know how bad they felt about making him unhappy.
Continue reading DID YOU KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE TORE THIER CLOTHING TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE SORRY FOR SIN?
Jesus used this story to describe the joy of finding God. It’s worth everything we have. In terms of value, nothing compares. The point of this story is joy, not poverty. Its teaching reminds us that joy fuels change, and all change is possible when the end result in finding God.
Continue reading SHOULD PEOPLE SELL ALL THEY OWN WHEN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN?
Everyone gets scared. Not everybody admits it, of course. It’s natural to feel anxious now and then, especially when you’re going through a tough time or starting something new. How can you face your fears and not let them overwhelm you?
Continue reading HOW TO TRUST JESUS