Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37 End – “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” So says the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession. In order to align this with David’s insight, we must recognize that glorifying God…
The great day of YHWH is near; it is near and rushing greatly, the sound of the day of YHWH. Zephaniah 1:14 (J. P. Green, literal translation) Day Of YHWH – Did you see the movie “2012”? A typical disaster flick, it works off the supposed end of the world predicted by the Mayan calendar. …
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV) To See If – Are you Berean? Are you willing to examine the Scriptures every day to see if…
For God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5 (my translation) Knowing – Adam opened the door. That’s the way Paul puts it in his letter to the Roman congregation. “As by one man sin…
For the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14 Do – “Evil is not man’s ultimate problem. Man’s ultimate problem is his relation to God.”[1] We might need to read this line from Heschel a few more times. It underscores the difference…
He that oppresses the poor blasphemes his maker, but he who is gracious unto the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31 (translation A. Heschel) Blasphemes – What would you think of someone who curses God? You might be shocked, dismayed or disturbed. Who would do such a thing? You might understand the circumstances that would lead…
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:7 Naked – Why did Adam and Havvah realize they were naked? Were they in such a joyous stupor prior to eating from the Tree that they just…
The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will be ruined. Proverbs 10:8 (ESV) Receive – “Without mitzvot one is naked.” So say the rabbis about the necessity of the commandments (mitzvot). Heschel points out that Judaism views the commandments as if they were literal things, as if they could be possessed…
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1 Governing Authorities – Do you have difficulty reconciling this verse with the actual history of the world? Most people do. While theologians go through hoops trying to…
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 Form Of Teaching – Want to be free? Then become an obedient slave to…
