Reading the Signs?

In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch of David sprout; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. Jeremiah 33:15  NASB In those days – We’ll take a break from Luzzatto and Mesillat Yesharim for a moment.  This message came to me by email.  I want to comment on…

Nostalgia

The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Genesis 2:8 NASB Garden in Eden – “The good ol’ days.” That’s what we really want, isn’t it? Those days that didn’t seem so stressful, so chaotic, so confusing. What we really want is…

God’s Investment Strategy

If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.  Exodus 21:2  Hebrew World Six years – Apparently God is not interested in profit; at least not in the same way that we are.  Imagine the ridiculous consequences of this Torah commandment.  Someone…

Necessary Redundancy

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27  NASB Male and female – What is the point of the repetition?  Wasn’t it clear enough with the first, “God created man”?  Why add the second “in the image of God He…

Fuller Fear

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7  NASB Fear – Last year (October 2, 2011) we examined Moses Luzzatto’s insight into the meaning of yirat adonai (YHWH).  Ira Stone commented on Luzzatto’s examination.  It’s worth reading again: “It should by now be clear that the term yirat Ha-Shem [yirat adonai] cannot simply…

Faith Is Action

“You were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many. Matthew 25:23 Faithful – God gives. That is an essential part of the foundation of Christian thought. God, the Sovereign Master of the universe, gives. He determines the distribution of assets. They are His, not ours. He determines the degree of obligation….