Transliteration of Hebrew, meaning “hosts, armies, heavenly bodies,” Part of a divine title, “Lord of Host,” variously interpreted as Lord of Israel’s armies (cp. 1 Sam 17:45); the stars; members of Yahweh’s heavenly court or council; a comprehensive title for all beings, heavenly and earthly; an intensive title describing God as all powerful. Interestingly, the title does not
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Faith refers to (1) the exercise of our capacity to trust someone or something, as, for example, a rock climber has faith in his or her rope; (2) a set of beliefs, such as “Catholic faith”; (3) a deeper, very personal movement of the heart toward God that includes the first two meanings, yet moves beyond them into personal fellowship with God.
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When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, Pharaoh and his armies chased them. The Israelites were afraid and complained to God. Moses said to them, “Do not be afraid. . . The LORD will fight for you. . . ” (Exodus 14:13-14).
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Old Testament law distinguished between sins of ignorance, or sin unintentionally (Lev 4:2, 13-14; Num 15:24-29), and premeditated sins (“sin presumptuously” or with a high hand, Num. 15:30-31). Sins committed in ignorance incur guilt (Lev 4:13,22,27); however, the sacrificial system provided atonement for such sin (Lev 4; 5:5-6). In contrast, “high-handed” or “presumptuous” sin is an affront to the Lord punishable by exclusion from the people of God. The Law provided no ritual cleansing for such sin (Num 15:30-31).
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One of the things I have been blessed with (or coursed with, depending on your viewpoint) is good memory. Many times a week my wife will call on me to recall some name, some location or some date that has escaped her. That is a good thing, most of the time. Other times it is annoying, as I can recall mundane unimportant facts from decades ago that have absolutely no value today. A good memory is a powerful tool, when it is used right.
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At the time of Nahum’s prophecy, Assyria (of which Nineveh was the capital) was the most powerful empire on earth. For three hundred years the Assyrians had conquered all people’s in their path. Nineveh, the shinning center of Assyrian culture, learning, and technology, was
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Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been many attempts to communicate coherently what the Bible teaches about the identity of God. Inevitably, some of these attempts have been woefully inadequate, erring in ways that result in a mony to His triune identity.
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Giving the powerful role that fasting might play in developing this perspective, the biblical authors are roundly critical of those who abuse it. Typically, the presentation of fasting is surrounded by positive connotations, as when Luke mentions the widow Anna, who spent her days at the temple praying and fasting (Luke 2:36-37). But those who presumed that the mere act of fasting was sufficient in and of itself as leverage with which to force the Almighty into
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A biblical analogy to gun control is recorded in 1 Sam 13:19-22. The Philistines, who held a monopoly on the manufacture of iron implements, refused to allow the Israelites access to swords or spears. In spite of the Philistine attempt at armament control, the Israelites were able to defeat both the Philistines (1 Sam 14) and Amalakites (1 Sam 15) in battle.
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Revelation uses three types of literature. First, it is a letter written by the apostle John to seven churches in Asia Minor. Second, it is prophecy speaking God’s judgment and truth. Finally, it is apocalyptic writing a common form of Jewish literature.
Continue reading IS REVELATION TO BE UNDERSTOOD LITERALLY?