In the beginning, God created . . . Genesis 1:1 NASB In the beginning – It is little wonder that some rabbis spent their entire lives contemplating the opening three words of Scripture. We have spent quite a bit of time on the same subject. At last count, there are half a dozen or more…
You have not lied to men but to God Acts 5:4 NASB Lied – This word comes from the Greek word pseudomai. You will see our English word pseudo in this verb. It means “what is false.” Peter confronts Ananias. It is not a confrontation about the sale of the property. It is not about…
One of the difficulties believers face understanding the place of the cross in Christian theology is directly related to a prior commitment (usually without reflective consideration) to the philosophical concept of the Greek idea of time. Examination of this assumption demonstrates that it is the philosophical concept itself that produces confusion about the role of…
And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NASB Shedding of blood – Rabbi Robert Gorelik argues compellingly that the author of Hebrews gives us a picture of the sacrifice of Yeshua in the heavenly temple. …
And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NASB Shedding of blood – This will be difficult. To even suggest an alternative understanding of what we are about to investigate may cause apoplectic theological shock. Some…
Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. Psalm 73:7 ESV Fatness – Asaph’s description of the physical qualities of the wicked is certainly metaphorical. Asaph is not writing about corneal edema. He is poetically describing the results of a life of opulence; a life that pursues luxury. But his use of…
Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son Genesis 22:10 NASB Knife – The ma’akelet is a special kind of knife – a knife used to slaughter sacrifices. In the Old Testament, it describes the instrument used to cut a person into pieces (Judges 19:29) and to prepare animals for…
Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NASB…
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:2 NASB Offering/ Sacrifice – Paul does tend to be verbose at times. His Greek is complicated and filled with allusions (typical of a rabbinic midrash). But…
When a person presents an offering of meal to the LORD, his offering shall be of choice flour; . . . Leviticus 2:1 JPS When – God never commanded sacrifices. Let’s say that again. God never commanded sacrifices. Even when Abraham was asked to take Isaac to the altar, it was not a command. The…
