As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us, Psalm 103:12 NASB Removed – The word rahaq appears more than 50 times in the Old Testament. Its primary meaning is to indicate a physical distance between someone or something. In its ethical connotation it can be…
[The Lord] Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion. Psalm 103:4 NASB Lovingkindness – This Hebrew word (hesed) has a great deal more in its full meaning than we can capture in an English word. Our studies in the past have shown us its richer character. It is…
and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53 NASB Who had fallen asleep – Matthew is the only gospel account that includes this very odd event. …
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 NASB Perfect – It will come as no great shock to you that none of us can meet this standard. No one is perfect. In fact, it seems quite obvious that no human being is capable of being perfect. Perhaps that’s…
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NASB Delight – This word (‘anag) is used for a garment that is delicate or luxurious. Here it means to feel great favor toward something. But notice carefully the object of our delight. It is not His forgiveness. …
k’doshim tihiyu ki kadosh ani YHWH eloheychem Wayyiqra 19:2 Tanakh I am holy – The verse is Leviticus 19:2 in transliterated Hebrew. You might recognize the word kadosh (it occurs twice). tihiyu is the verb hayah (you shall be). When Yeshua refers to this verse in His pronouncement in Matthew 5:48, He has Torah observance…
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 NASB Perfect – Yeshua’s demand seems perfectly reasonable, right? You and I can be perfect, can’t we? God demands it. We are accountable. Therefore, we should do it. When I was much younger, this verse scared me to death. I knew…
in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 NASB Come to – In the margin of the NASB, you will find a note that gives an alternate translation. The alternate is “occur” (“the blessing…
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 NASB Mocks – Redistribution of wealth is a hot topic in today’s politics. Aggravating class warfare between the “rich” and the “poor” breeds contempt on both sides. First, the poor despise the success of the rich,…
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7 NASB Not mocked – It’s been two weeks since you made those annual New Year’s resolutions. By now you are back to the routine of life. Things haven’t really changed, have they? What you did…
