the one who does not love does not know God for God is love 1 John 4:8 NASB Not – This is a harsh verse. It may not seem harsh because we are likely to modify its meaning to accommodate our own failures. We want to feel better about our efforts to meet its demands,…
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. Proverbs 16:32 NASB Anger – The Hebrew for “slow to anger” is erek apayim. Behind this is the word ap, a word that describes the nostrils in breathing. This part of the body is important in Hebrew thought. Remember that God breathed life into…
“For I, the Lord, love justice,” Isaiah 61:8 NASB Justice– Today the West is obsessed with democracy. It so strongly believes in this Greek invention of self-governance that it celebrates when “democratically elected” officials are put into office even if those officials represent Islamic Jihadists. Extending the Greek idea of populist power, the West sinks…
“Do you wish to be well?” John 5:6 NASB To be well – Yeshua is making his way through the crowd at the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. To do so he has to pass by a pool. Today, just like every day, it is surrounded by those who cling to life by a thread of…
In the towns of the latter peoples, however, which the LORD your God is giving you as a heritage, you shall not let a soul remain alive. Deuteronomy 20:16 JPS Remain – “Kill them all. Every man, woman and child. Even the animals.” Does that sound like a compassionate God to you? Commands like this…
and all who dwell on earth will worship him, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. Revelation 13:8 NASB From the foundation of the world – What to do with this prepositional phrase? That’s the big…
“I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6 NASB But – It is common evangelical theology to assert that this statement from Yeshua excludes anyone who does not openly confess “Jesus” as savior and lord. Many preachers will confidently say that unless you…
And they sought for a lovely young woman in all the border of Yishra’el, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the sovereign. 1 Melakim 1:3 ISR Young woman – The opening story of 1 Kings is a very strange story to include in recounting the life of David. David is old. He…
“Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah, king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you, ‘You will not die by the sword. You will die in peace, . . . Jeremiah 34:4-5a NASB In peace – This seems like an inconsequential verse. Perhaps not inconsequential for Zedekiah, but certainly nothing more than…
Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2 NASB Traditions – There is little doubt that the mixed assembly in Corinth had a lot of problems. Internal strife, immorality among the members, dissention and struggles with proper…
