Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. Joshua 7:6 NIV Tore/ fell/ sprinkled – These three actions indicate the gravity of the situation. Joshua never expected to have any losses at all in the…
In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Psalm 71:1 NASB Put to shame – It isn’t surprising to find out that social media is one of the sources of psychological distress in young people. A recent study confirms the negative effects on teenagers,[1] but I suspect that we adults…
Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Genesis 27:19a NASB I am – Some time ago (September 28, 2018) I wrote about the shift in the idea of “individual.” I noted that ancient, non-industrial cultures exhibit group consciousness rather than discrete, individual consciousness. I cited works by Gabor…
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30 ESV Must I do– How do you read this question? If you’re like most Western believers, you will read this as a personal need for salvation. You will identify with the trauma of the jailer, and think of this question as if you were…
Whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and obtains favor from YHWH; but whoever misses me does violence to his very being [nephesh]; all who hate me love death. Proverbs 8:35-36 NASB with revisions Love death – “Since the culture of ancient times tended to value a person in light of the role performance, personal values…
