Pulling Back the Covers

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”   Romans 1:17 NASB Revealed – The Greek verb translated “is revealed” is apokaluptetai. This is present tense – an on-going process. Notice that “is revealed” implies something new. This is…

Deep Breaths (2)

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty  Proverbs 16:32 NASB Slow to anger – The Hebrew expression is erek apayim.  It is a perfect match with the Greek makrothumia.  Behind this expression the word ap, a word that describes the nostrils in breathing and the word erek which mean “long.”  God…

The Severity of God

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights.  I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1  NASB Justice – I sincerely hope that you do not pray for this prophecy to come true.  There is no doubt that one day…

Justice as Antidote

Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? Psalm 90:11  NASB Power – Read the first verse of this psalm.  No, not the first English verse.  Read the first verse in the Hebrew text.  Let me help you:  tefillah le-Moshe ish ha-Elohim (A prayer of…

The Righteous Judge

YHWH, I have heard the report about You and I fear.  O YHWH, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 Wrath – “There is an evil which most of us condone and are even guilty of: indifference to…

Erga tes Sarkos: Works of the Flesh

Christians have always been taught to avoid sin.  That’s a given.  But sometimes I think we trip ourselves up by not really understanding what the Bible calls “sin.”  We assume that we know what we aren’t supposed to do.  Murder, steal, lie, covet (that one is kind of vague but it’s on the list), use…

Blood Bath

A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and before Yahweh pours out his complaint. Psalm 102:1 (in the Hebrew text) Pours Out – “Then you will take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water . . will become blood.” So begins the story of the…