“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Amos 3:2 NASB Punish – Consider the difficulties created by translating paqad with the word “punish” in this verse. The translation makes you think either 1) God has decided to punish Israel because He…
“It will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good or evil!’” Zephaniah 1:12 NASB Stagnant in spirit – It is a serious, and sometimes fatal, mistake to pretend…
But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, Psalm 103:17 NASB To children’s children – What’s the connection? Hesed operates between related parties. It isn’t like grace (hen). Hesed presupposes some already-existing connection. Once in place, hesed governs the continuing relationship…
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Amos 3:2 NASB Will punish – OK, so tell me honestly. If I offered you membership in a great club but the condition of membership was punishment every time you violated the agreement even in…
You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:5 NASB Exodus in Revelation – paqad, the Hebrew word for “visiting,” has always given…
Nevertheless I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, who observed My commandments and My statutes; 1 Kings 11:34 NASB For the sake of – Let’s see now. The usual…
Parents shall not be put to death for children, nor children be put to death for parents: a person shall be put to death only for his own crime. Deuteronomy 24:16 JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy Only – Does God punish people for the sins of their ancestors? Well, if you read Exodus 20:5-6, Exodus 34:6-7,…
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV Rodney Baker has contributed several TW’s on Religion while I am in South Africa. Religious – Now James provides the solution to the riddle. What is it to truly fear God?…
. . . she heard that the LORD had taken note of His people and given them food. Ruth 1:6 JPS Had taken note – Once or twice in life it’s nice to hear something from the Lord. Two times is the extent of direct mention of God in the story of Ruth. Yes, the…
It is a trustworthy statement; if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 1 Timothy 3:1 NASB Overseer – If any man? But what about Carol or Ann or Linda or Jan? What if they desire to be “overseers”? Ah, if only Paul weren’t so…
