If you assent and listen, the land’s bounty you shall eat. But if you refuse and rebel, by the sword you shall be eaten, for the Lord’s mouth has spoken. Isaiah 1:19-20 Robert Alter If – Do you remember the examination of the previous verse? The conjunction ʾim? Remember that the NASB rendered ʾim as…
When you go out to battle against your enemies, and the Lord your God hands them over to you and you take them away captive, Deuteronomy 21:10 NASB When – The most important word in this verse is not “battle” or “enemies.” It’s not the claim that God will fight on your side. It’s the opening conjunction, the…
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16-17 NASB If – We critically examined the first part of Paul’s declaration, concluding that his loose language about spiritual confirmation…
And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5 NASB If– Avivah Zornberg frames our persistent question: “How can an individual count? The children of Abraham are to be like the sand on…
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” Psalm 139:11 NASB If– Is it really hypothetical? Do we really only imagine a darkness that overwhelms? The translator, also a reader (see yesterday’s Today’s Word about the role of the reader), apparently reads this poem as a theological proclamation of God’s…
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB And – Is this promise good for us? Is it conditional? Does it…
If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Psalm 139:8 ESV If – David’s famous poetic line expresses the impossibility of escaping God’s concern. David is the precursor to Paul’s similar passage in Romans 8. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. But…
And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Matthew 4:3 NASB If – Tiny words cause big problems if you and I don’t notice them. This tiny word is ei (if). “If you are the Son of God.” Just a little suggestion…
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18 ESV If – David’s words are harsh. “If I had any serious engagement in my heart about sin, God would not listen to me.” But when is this ever not the case? We are constantly besieged by temptations. Just…
“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My commandments, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine.” Exodus 19:5 NASB Indeed Obey – How loud does God need to speak for you to hear him? If you are like those Israelites who…
