Hidden Hope

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.  Psalm 119:114  NASB Wait for – Once more David opens the line with a samech.  Here the first word of the verse is sitri’ – “hiding place, covering, protection.”  The verb in translation (“are”) is implied, not expressed.  The idea that God…

The Consequences of Indecision

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law.  Psalm 119:113  NASB Double-minded – Who is the double-minded man?  You might think that it is the person who just can’t decide, the one who seems constantly torn between alternatives.  Years ago a friend of mine called this person (referring to me, by the…

The Necessity of Desire

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.  Genesis 3:6  NASB When – Suppose…

What Kind of Fool?

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3  NASB Fool – Proverbs employs several different words for the English “fool.”  Knowing which one makes a big difference.  “Fool” can be the translation of ‘ewil (as it is here), or kesil or nabal.  Sometimes it is even…

PERTH Invitation

In case you don’t read the blog site: We have the joy to invite all those in and around Perth to a special Sabbath gathering on 23 November, where you can hear Skip Moen expound from the Scriptures in their Hebraic context. We look forward to meeting Skip in person and hearing what our Heavenly…

To the Winner Belongs . . .

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3  NASB Keeping away – What does it mean to “keep away” from strife?  Does it mean to turn the other cheek?  Does it mean to walk away?  Does it mean to never press for the truth?  When you…

Insights from Africa

Yes, I know someone will say, “But this is a religious web site.  You shouldn’t be talking about politics.”  Maybe, but when I recently went to Zimbabwe and saw the portrait of “His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Robert Gabriel Mugabe,” while holding the money pictured below, it reminded me of President Obama’s…

A Terrifying Calm

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.  Proverbs 20:2  NASB Provokes – At 3AM I got out of my sleeping bag and unzipped the tent door.  There was just enough moonlight to see around the campsite.  Everyone else in the…

A Covenant of Purpose

The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  Genesis 2:22  NASB Fashioned – If you read the Genesis account of creation within the framework of  covenant commitments, you might notice the following pattern.  God makes a covenant of power with male…