He will turn back against them their wickedness, through their evil He will destroy them, the LORD our God will destroy them. Psalm 94:23 Robert Alter Turn back against them – What is the opposite of turning toward God? Before you answer, consider that the Hebrew verb which means “to return” to God is šûb…
Rise up, O Judge of the earth, bring down on the proud requital. Psalm 94:2 Robert Alter Requital – The biblical idea of justice is summarized in the phrase “measure for measure.” In legal parlance, this is lex talionis, the principle of exact retaliation or reciprocal justice. For example, in biblical justice, if a man…
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2 NASB Measure – There is no doubt that Yeshua endorsed the Hebrew biblical concept of measure-for-measure. He used it to express watchfulness with regard to judgment of others and he used…
Yet if in spite of this you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins. Leviticus 26:27-28 NASB With hostility – The Hebrew word keri occurs appears seven times in the passages…
“At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing waters stood up like a heap; the deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.” Exodus 15:8 NASB Piled up – So what does Genesis 2:25 and 3:1 have to do with the destruction of the army of Egypt? Ah, it’s…
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they dug a pit before me; they themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah. Psalm 57:6 NASB Into the midst – The fundamental principle of biblical justice is “measure for measure.” This idea can be found throughout Scripture. We notice…
“He who joyfully bears the chastisements that befall him brings salvation to the world” Rabbi Joshua ben Levi, Talmud, Tractate Ta’anith 8a Middah k’neged middah – Soon the world of the solar calendar will prepare for reassessment of the past year and preparation for the next. Rabbi Joshua b. Levi’s insight from the Talmud is…
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge I will reject you from priestly service for me. You have forgotten the instruction of your God; so I too will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 (translation J. A. Dearman) Forget – When you think of the Hebrew verb forget, think of…
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge I will reject you from priestly service for me. You have forgotten the instruction of your God; so I too will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 (translation J. A. Dearman) Reject you – We feel good about the love story of Hosea. …
“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 Evil Of Your Deeds – “The mistaken notion that ritual worship could atone for criminality or intentional religious desecration…
