He commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready. Joshua 8:4 NASB Going to ambush – How do you know what a word means? You might respond, “Look in the dictionary,” but a dictionary is just…
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 NIV As Far As – How are is the East from the West? How far do you have to travel toward the East to reach the West? The answer is obvious. Infinitely. Forever. Never. If…
And all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were lured away from the city. Joshua 8:16 NASB Were called together – Something odd occurs in this verse; something we probably didn’t even notice. It shows up in the qere/ketiv of the text, something you…
“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11:7 NASB Confuse – When you listen to someone speak, what do you hear? Sounds, of course. Usually sounds that make up words that make up thoughts. But other than the audio signals, do you hear the meaning of those sounds? I live in…
Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD. Lamentations 3:40 NASB (1995) Yesterday we arrived back in America. We’ll be here until Thanksgiving and then return to Italy. Return – It’s a bit strange arriving on the shores of America. We’ve been in Italy for several years now, and…
But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For You bless the righteous person, Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12 NASB Shield – Don’t we wish the poet’s words were true! How life would be different if every…
Make them pay, God; have them fall by their own schemes! Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings, for they are rebellious against You. Psalm 5:10 NASB Make them pay, God – With all the corruption and hatred in the world, I want the psalmist’s imperative to come true today. “Make them pay, God!” Yes,…
For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Psalm 5:9 NASB Open grave – Remember “enemies” from the previous verse? When we read Psalm 5:8, we might have thought that David described those who brandished the sword, who wanted to kill him. But…
Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me. Psalm 5:8 NASB Because – What is the psalmist’s solution to an enemy attack? “Lead me in Your righteousness.” Doesn’t that seem strange? How can God’s guidance in justice and ethical behavior make any difference in an enemy’s assault? Wouldn’t it be…
You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit. Psalm 5:6 NASB Destroy/ loathe – Two verbs of consequence: ʾābad and tāʿab, “to destroy” and “to loathe.” The meanings are a bit tangled. The verb ʾābad is a common word for to die, or, in the case of things, reputation, etc., to pass…
