“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” Deuteronomy 30:11 Commandment – From time to time we have spoken about the 613 mitzvot (commandments) found in the Torah. The actual count might vary a bit but the list complied by Maimonides (in Judaism…
For Adam and for his wife the LORD God made coats of skins and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 Coats Of Skins – The Hebrew combination of labash (to clothe) and kotnot (garments) appears in other important Hebrew Scriptures. The use in these other verses suggests something quite startling about God’s provision for Adam and his…
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” Deuteronomy 30:11 Not Too Difficult – Moses instructed the people. His instructions are only part of the Torah. The stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham and Joseph are also Torah. They are narrative instructions. They provide…
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:20 NASB Useless – According to this translation, James doesn’t say, “faith without works is false belief.” He doesn’t say, “faith without works is carnal.” He doesn’t say, “faith without works is hypocrisy.” According to this translation, he says…
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires that spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5 The Scripture – When you read this verse, do you simply assume that James is quoting some verse in the Old Testament (Tanakh)? Better check your cross references. You…
To you I will cry, YHWH my rock. Do not be silent to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit. Psalm 28:1 Pit – When God does not speak, I exist in a spiritual dungeon. It takes some deliberate concentration to discover this reality,…
“I will not leave you orphans;” John 14:18 Orphans – The world is a lonely place. In fact, loneliness covers the globe in pandemic proportions. The prince of this world has done his best to separate us, driving wedges of despair and abandonment deep into even the closest relationships. Just a little self-reflection confirms the…
Israel’s greatest struggle was idolatry. We often imagine that idolatry is relegated to those terrible pagans who don’t know the Lord, but Israel’s history should teach us otherwise. The same people who heard His voice at Sinai offered sacrifices to the gods of Canaan, Assyria and Babylon. Were they just being perverse? Were they simply…
“And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites . .” Matthew 6:5 Pray – We all agree that prayer is essential for a deep relationship with the Father. Almost all of us would say that we need to pray more. But far too often we stumble around in prayer. We don’t…
Dedicate a youth according to what his way dictates; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Dedicate – Solomon was a very wise man. His wisdom penetrated the essence of things. His sayings often reveal what we do not see on the surface. So, when we read this…
