The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9 (Hebrew World translation) Clean – The comic figure, Mrs. Malaprop, from the play, The Rivals, has become a shorthand expression for the misuse of words. “She might reprehend the true meaning of what…
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (Hebrew World translation) Pure – The Hebrew adjective bar is rare indeed. Occurring only in poetic works, it is found in only seven verses in Scripture. Most of these are in Psalms where…
The last days have begun. God, through his Son, has fully revealed his nature, and his purpose which stretches back through the prophets to creation. Hebrews 1:1-2 (Ellingworth translation) Have begun – Read almost any standard translation of this verse. None of them will be like Ellingworth’s translation. The crucial differences are the rearrangement of…
watching diligently that not any lack from the grace of God, that no root of bitterness growing up may disturb you, and through this many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 (translation J. Green) Defiled – Does it seem like sometimes it’s just too much to continue on this path? Are you wearing down in your quest…
“Is it permissible to heal on the Sabbath?” Matthew 12:10 (NASB) Permissible – The Sabbath is a day of rest, an honoring of God’s creative effort and a fulfillment of His ordinance for our own good. But every Jew knew that the commandment concerning the Sabbath was part of a hierarchy of commandments, some of…
As He also says in Hosea, “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her, who was not beloved, ‘Beloved.’” “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.’” Romans 9:25-26…
Then He said, “Name him Lo-ammi (Not-My-People); for you are not My people, and I am not your God. Hosea 1:9 (NASB) Not your God – Hosea is a book of word puns, double meanings and striking metaphors. Many of these are lost in the English translation. Usually this doesn’t have a significant impact on…
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (Hebrew World translation) Right – Take a piece of paper at least 10 inches wide. Now cut a perfectly straight line across that paper. I’ll bet you can’t do it without a straight-edge…
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 Making Wise the Simple – They are prominently displayed on my office wall. Five degrees and a certificate for Alpha Kappa Sigma. Marks of academic achievement from prestigious institutions. But none of…
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 Testimony – The Hebrew word ‘eduth means “testimony, precept or warning.” It comes from a word that means “witness,” that is, someone who gives evidence. And that word comes from a primitive…
