Category: Narrative of Ancient Writings
Imagery of cultural literature of Hebrew and Greek-speaking Jewish writers. Inspired by Holy Spirit but authored by men.
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Surrendering from Positions of Strength
Introduction In military engagements, diplomatic negotiations, even business discussions, it is a well- known necessity to confront one’s opponents from a position of strength. On the other hand, the Christian religion teaches that one best wins confrontations from an attitude of meekness and the surrender of one’s own interests. Bible stories, even the life of… Read more
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Just How Evil Is Collateral Damage?
Introduction An episode of NCIS: New Orleans I watched recently made a big deal of collateral damage. A military raid to capture, if not fatally eliminate, an evil terrorist resulted in the deaths of the man’s wife and son. The botched raid was treated as a horrible mistake, covered up by the CIA. It became… Read more
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King’s Treatment of Vashti: Immoral or Socially Acceptable?
Introduction The first chapter of the biblical book of Esther records the events of a great feast that King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) gave for all his nobles and officials. At the height of it, as she was giving her own feast for the women in the royal palace, Xerxes summoned his wife to appear before… Read more
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Intermingled Pictures of Armies Invading Israel
Introduction The book of the prophet Joel gives vivid descriptions of armies come to destroy the land of Israel. Though these armies are different in nature from each other, they have the same devastating effects on the land. Joel gives intermingled pictures of armies invading Israel. Three Different Armies Joel gives us pictures of an… Read more
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Rapture Vs. Parousia: Which Will It Be?
Introduction Two fundamentally different viewpoints exist concerning the Second Coming of King Jesus at the end of time. One is the Rapture, the catching away of believers upon His return to meet Him in the air to take them to Heaven with Him. The other is the Parousia, translated as the “coming”, “arrival”, or “appearing”… Read more
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Tree of Good and… What?
Introduction Genesis 2 gives the second Creation story recorded in the Hebrew Bible. It is part of the beginning of the whole Bible narrative that explains why things are good… and bad… in the world. This story says the Creator rested Humanity in the garden He had planted in the delightful country of Eden. He… Read more
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My Favorite Response Is “Yes”
Introduction I thoroughly enjoy occasions, especially in Bible study, when there is a choice between one perspective or another, and it turns out the best answer is “Both”. When asked to choose between two options, my favorite response is “Yes”. Who Is the Son of Man? Throughout the Hebrew Bible, from Genesis to Daniel, the… Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong? Knowledge of Good and Evil = Sense of Morality
Introduction Genesis 3 tells the story of the humans in Eden disobeying the Creator by eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Instead of trusting His provision and wisdom, they took things into their own hands and obeyed the enemy of God and humans rather than the Creator. I… Read more
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An Expectation of Sinlessness, Part 3
Introduction Time and again, Yahweh sent His prophets to rail against His people’s iniquities and worship of false gods. They said He would send them into captivity and bring destruction on Jerusalem and the Temple. Then Yahweh would promise the return of the people to the land, especially after they turned their hearts to Him.… Read more
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An Expectation of Sinlessness, Part 2
Introduction Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel. He did this with the idealistic expectation of sinlessness on their part. The sin offerings they made were to cover uncleanness and unintentional or unknown sins. Reality of Rebellion It pained Yahweh’s heart that His people found reasons to distrust His love and care for… Read more