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…
To the woman He said, “I will greatly increase your sorrow and your conception – bring forth children in pain. And your desire is for your husband, and he does rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 (SRI) Greatly Increase – Perhaps we have become so numb to this story that we just don’t ask any questions…
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, that in Himself he might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace. Ephesians 2:15 Two Into One – There are a host of issues with this verse, none of which are easily resolved without understanding principle…
“Indeed, I gave them no-good decrees, and laws that did not offer them life.” Ezekiel 20:25 No-Good Decrees – Brevard Childs, professor of Biblical theology at Harvard, says that this verse is an example of “the clearest sign of the brokenness of the Old Testament covenant . . . once given as a source of…
There you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, that cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Deuteronomy 4:28 You Will Serve – Israel’s occupation of the Promised Land is completely conditional. Their election as God’s people is completely unconditional. God chooses and obligates Himself in the election of Israel, but Israel must…
and there shall no longer be any curse Revelation 22:3 Curse – Do you remember what the Hebrew word for curse really means? ‘arar means binding, hedging in with obstacles and rendering powerless. We have lived in a world that has been bound since the days of Adam. But some day things will change. Some…
