Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, and revive me in Your ways. Psalm 119:37 NASB Worthless – “That the primary meaning of šāwʾ is ‘emptiness, vanity’ no one can challenge. It designates anything that is unsubstantial, unreal, worthless, either materially or morally. Hence, it is a word for idols (in the same way…
Stripped and distraught and despoiled, fainting heart and buckling knees and shuddering in all loins, and all faces lose their luster. Nahum 2:11 Robert Alter Four in One Do you know the story behind Nahum? Probably not. It’s one of those short prophetic books that get lost in the splendor of Isaiah and the woes…
Then they will cry out to the Lord, but He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time because they have practiced evil deeds. Micah 3:4 NASB Hide His face – Hebrew is a tactile, idiomatic language. It uses common life experiences to describe crucial religious concepts. Salvation is described as a…
“Then they spoke against God; they said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’” Psalm 78:19 NASB Wilderness– Can He? Can God prepare a table? Life as it comes to us says, “No! God isn’t able to provide in the midst of our empty places.” And we go on wandering. Looking for the answer…
For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. Deuteronomy 32:47 NASB Idle word – Good morning! Welcome to the thirteenth year of Today’s Word. After the personal…
Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, “Aha, aha!” Psalm 70:3 NASB Aha, aha – What do you do about those who seek your destruction, about those who ridicule your faith and despise God’s name? They might not be as blatant in their opposition as the enemies of David, but they are…
we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NASB Not despairing – How many negatives does it take to make a promise? Paul suggests that it takes at least three. Here the Greek is ouk exaporoumenoi. The first…
“And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36 (NASB) Careless – Two stories capture the picture. The first comes from my childhood. I remember the day that I read one of those Christian comic book tracts. Its…
And you shall love YHWH your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 All – “You’re so intense.” I’ve often heard this back-handed compliment. Maybe it’s true. When you get me wound up about Hebrew thought, it might take a long time for me…
