I just received a call from Skip. His son Michael and his wife Amy just had their baby two days ago. The baby’s name is Malachi. He was born unresponsive for about a minute and a half. Currently, Malachi is in ICU in very serious condition. Needless to say, both sets of parents are incredibly…
In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Psalm 71:1 NASB Put to shame – It isn’t surprising to find out that social media is one of the sources of psychological distress in young people. A recent study confirms the negative effects on teenagers,[1] but I suspect that we adults…
And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’” Joshua 4:21 NASB In time to come – By now you certainly realize that theological paradigms determine textual exegesis. What I believe about the text determines what I read in the text. …
And they shall make Me a Tabernacle, that I may abide in their midst. Exodus 25:8 Robert Alter Abide – The Hebrew root describing God’s desire to abide with His people is šākan. Perhaps you’ll recognize that this is precisely the same root of the word miškān, “Tabernacle.” Here the author chooses a nice play…
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NASB 1995 Give thanks – The story of this psalm is found in the chronicles of the kings. David receives the ark and offers sacrifices, installing Asaph and his line as priests. Then David offers this song. …
These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Exodus 1:1 ESV The names – What is the name of this book in the Bible? If you read a Bible based on Christian traditions, the name will be “Exodus.” But if you read the Tanakh,…
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive study is wearying to the body. Ecclesiastes 12:12 NASB Excessive study – One of my readers wrote, “I will be honest and say that from time to time – particularly when you get into ‘philosophical mode’ and use terms…
I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me. Psalm 57:2 [English] NASB Who accomplishes all things – Poetry is difficult to understand. Just ask my Italian students who are studying Walt Whitman or Edgar Allen Poe. Poets like to manipulate the language, strike unusual parallels, twist resonance, and bend meanings in…
