But in vain I kept my heart pure and in innocence washed my palms. Psalm 73:13 (translation – Robert Alter) In vain – “I’d like to believe what you believe,” he said. “You seem to have a kind of stability in life. But if I decided to live like you, I’d miss out on a…
Don’t let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking . . Colossians 2:16 (The Complete Jewish Bible – David Stern) Eating and Drinking – David Stern correctly notes that Paul is not talking about all eating and drinking. He is addressing the assembly in Colossae, an assembly consisting of Jews and…
This is the way, dearly beloved, wherein we found our salvation, even Jesus Christ the High priest of our offerings, the Guardian and Helper of our weakness. 1 Clement 36:1 Guardian – Clement was most likely a compatriot of Sha’ul. His letters were considered equally inspired by a large number of believers in the early…
A man does not fully understand the words of the Torah until he has come to grief over them. Babylonian Talmud, Gitten 43a Come to grief – Rabbi Huna commented with these words when he acknowledged his own error in interpretation concerning a debate over the conditions of betrothal. Rabbi Huna called for a public…
Convenient transport – the Bus terminal: A Florist on every corner: No wait tailoring: SLOW – herd ahead: Outdoor shopping mall:
Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Exodus 24:7 NASB Will be obedient – What is the relationship between hearing and obeying? What steps do you take in…
Just as it is written, “For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:36 citing Psalm 44:22 NASB As it is written – What can separate us from the love of God? If you read Paul’s argument in Romans 8, the answer…
I thought you might like to see what I was doing on this last trip. At the request of Talent Research Foundation, I had the opportunity to teach in Singapore, Chennia and Coimbatore. Here are two pictures of different lectures. These believers live in a very tough environment, surrounding by active, visible idolatry. Christians are…
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed James 1:14 KJV (Cambridge Edition) Enticed – The last word in this phrase is the Greek word deleazomenos. It comes from the imagery of hunting. It means “to bait or trap.” We sometimes see it translated as “seduced” or…
