A Way of Life

Blessed are those whose way is [a]blameless, who walk in the Law of the Lord.    Psalm 119:1  NASB Walk – It really doesn’t matter what you think.  It’s what you do that counts.  In the Hebrew worldview, it’s not necessary to understand why you should do the things you are asked to do.  It’s nice when they…

God’s Subpoena

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord,  Isaiah 1:18a  NJKV Come now – You probably remember this verse in its King James version suggesting that God wants you to enter into a rational discussion with Him (“reason together”).  I’ve often heard this phrase cited in classical apologetics, and, of course, the rest of the…

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Babylon (4)

He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8  NASB What is good – The simple truth.  Three things God asks of us.  Do justice, love kindness, walk in His ways.  That’s it.  No lofty theoretical propositions….

Going Deeper (1)

Then the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew the trumpets; and the armed men went ahead of them, and the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while they continued to blow the trumpets.  Joshua 6:13  NASB They continued to – According…

The Self-Help Bible

For the LORD is a sun and a shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 ESV Walk Uprightly – The Bible is the world’s only guaranteed self-help book. There are lots of competitors, of course. Just browse any bookstore online or in…

Let’s Take a Walk

They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.  Psalm 73:9 ESV Struts – Yes, we know it’s poetry, but does that explain why it sounds so odd?  Do we just dismiss the improper grammar and the misplaced imagery simply because we give Asaph poetic license?  And how would you…

Empty-nesters

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  Matthew 28:19-20a  NASB Go – Yesterday we discovered that this verse is really about conformity to the ways of God.  It describes…

Going, Going, Gone

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  Matthew 28:19-20a  NASB Go – Most of us know that this opening word, “Go,” is not an imperative.  It is not a…

What’s Happening Here?

And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s slave-girl, where did you come from and where are you going?”  Genesis 16:8 Where – You will recall the difference between ‘ayyeh and ‘eypoh.  ‘ayyeh (short form ‘ay) is “where” as a statement of surprise, like “Why aren’t you here where I expected you to be?”  ‘eypoh is “where” like…

¿Qué Sucede Aquí?

y le dijo: “Agar, sierva de Saraí, ¿de dónde has venido y a dónde vas?” Génesis 16:8 Dónde – recordaras la diferencia entre ´ayyeh y ´eypoh. ´ayyeh (diminutivo de ´ay) donde “donde” es una declaración de sorpresa, como “¿Por qué no estás donde espero que estés?” ´eypoh es el “donde” como “¿Dónde queda la salida?”…