Anger Management

Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.   Psalm 37:8 NASB Fret – Why is fretting such a bad thing? Don’t we all worry about the future? Certainly the news is full of things to worry about. That’s what sells newspapers. Why would the Psalmist say that fretting leads to evildoing? It seems to me…

The Keys to Recovery

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 NASB Honor/give thanks – Addictions affect the mind. You probably assumed that was the case with drug abuse, but it is just as true…

Beware of Dog

“Moab is My washbowl; over Edom I shall throw My shoe; shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!” Psalm 60:8 NASB Because of Me – If you read this verse in ESV, you will find “shout in triumph.” The Hebrew is hitroai. The root is rua, spelled Resh-Ayin. As TWOT notes, “An unusual verb, although…

Theological Substitution

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19 NASB Sovereignty – What has YHVH established in the heavens? His throne. What does that mean? Ah, now you must be very careful with your answer. If you read the text according to the NASB translation, you will…

Guilty Until Declared Innocent

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?  Isaiah 40:27 NASB Due me – Biblical justice is exactly the opposite of the guiding principle of American jurisprudence. The assumption of guilt is the determining factor…

The Smell of Sacrifice

The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.   Genesis 8:21 NASB Soothing Aroma – Can you…

Divine Restraint

Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 1 Chronicles 12:1 NASB Restricted – A great rabbi once said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

Number Four

Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God.  Deuteronomy 6:13  KJV Fear – According to Rambam’s list of the 613 commandments, this is number four.  “By this injunction we are commanded to believe in the fear and awe of God (exalted be He), and not to be at ease and self-confident but to expect His punishment…

The Secret Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.  Exodus 20:17  ESV Not covet – There is a reason why no other legal code of the ancient Near East contains…

Planned in Advance

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.  Psalm 139:16  NASB Ordained for me – This verse is often used as a proof text for the idea that God has foreordained the days…