“Since the culture of ancient times tended to value a person in light of the role performance, personal values also follow that path. Van der Toorn finds a ‘priority of shame over guilt, of honour over self-esteem, and of success over integrity. Since misfortune of any sort was inferred to derive from having offended deity,…
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Galatians 3:1 NASB Bewitched – Have we been fooled? Would Paul say the same thing to us if he showed up at our doorsteps? “You undisciplined Christians, who has cast an evil eye upon you?” Perhaps that…
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” Zechariah 8:23 NASB The garment – I suppose the first thing to ask about this verse is, “When?” …
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (Hebrew World) Two Witnesses – The legal system of Torah is quite clear. …
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 NASB It – What is “it”? What is nailed to the cross? According to the Greek text in this verse, it…
I gave them My statutes, and made my judgments known to them, by whose observance man shall live. Ezekiel 20:11 (Hebrew World) Man – Perhaps you find this statement in Ezekiel as startling as I do. God, speaking to disobedient Israel, has the perfect opportunity to clear up the issue of Torah application. He could…
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger who sojourns with you, an ordinance forever in your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One Torah and one code shall be for you, and for the stranger who sojourns with you. Numbers 15:15-16 …
There is a time to act for God; set aside the Torah Psalm 119:126 (Heschel) To act for God – You won’t get this translation in the English Bibles. Most English Bibles, and a lot of translations of the Jewish Tanakh, read something like, “It is time for the Lord to act, for they have…
Tradition is a fence for the Torah; tithes are a fence for riches, vows are a fence for abstinence; a fence for wisdom – silence. Rabbi Akiva, Pirke Avot 3:17B Fence for riches – Rabbi Akiva was one of the most famous and most adored of all the ancient rabbis. His martyrdom at the hands…
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1 Calling – What is your calling from God? Most Christians immediately think of some individual and personal assignment. They imagine that Paul is exhorting us to seek God’s personal…
