Taught by the Master

The LORD’s counsel is for those who fear Him, and His pact He makes known to them.  Psalm 25:14  Robert Alter translation Makes known – God keeps secrets.  He just doesn’t keep them from those He calls His own.  The counsel of YHWH is the Hebrew word sod.  You will recognize it as the last…

The Answer

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, may You forgive my crime, which is great.  Psalm 25:11  Robert Alter translation For the sake of – Why does God forgive?  What benefit accrues to Him for this act?  He has nothing to gain by forgiving those who despise and resist Him.  There is no guarantee…

Beneficiaries

All the LORD’s paths are kindness and truth for the keepers of His pact and His precepts.  Psalm 25:10  Robert Alter translation Keepers – Think of the covenant like a trust fund with conditions.  All of God’s kindness and truth is available as a result of the trust He established.  But the benefits aren’t for…

Calendar Questions

“So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.”   Ezekiel 16:62-63  NIV Then – When did…

Identity Theft (5)

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky . . .”  Genesis 1:26 NASB Likeness – If tselem provides the vital connection between God’s actions and our existence as humans, then why…

Under His Wings

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.  Genesis 6:8 NASB Found favor – Now this is important, so pay close attention.  We have examined the Hebrew word hesed, discovering that it isn’t accurately portrayed by the single idea of “lovingkindness” or “mercy.”  That’s because hesed presupposes obligation established by mutual relationship.  Hesed,…

Blood Brothers

And Moses took the blood and sprinkled on the people and said, “Behold, the blood of the covenant which YHWH has cut with you concerning these things.” Exodus 24:8  (J. Green translation) Blood – The New Testament authors lay emphasis on the blood of Yeshua.  We now take it for granted that they are expressing…

The Other Shoe

“YHWH, Elohey Yisrael, there is none like You, Elohim, in the heavens or in the earth, keeping covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.” 2 Chronicles 6:14 (Darby) Mercy – God is faithful.  He keeps His promises.  He is the covenant-keeping God.  That is critically important for us. …

Promise-Keeper

“YHWH, Elohey Yisrael, there is none like You, Elohim, in the heavens or in the earth, keeping covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.” 2 Chronicles 6:14  (Darby) Keeping Covenant – Who keeps promises these days?  Not me.  I’ve broken quite a few in my time.  I suspect…

Promises Kept

Nor is it with you only that I make this sworn covenant, but with him who is not here with us this day as well as with him who stands here with us this day before the Lord our God Deuteronomy 29:14-15 Is Not Here – Who isn’t there?  Moses delivers an everlasting covenant commitment…