“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” says YHWH. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 Thoughts – How many times have you heard these verses employed in discussions of the…
So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12 Good – What is good? Well, there’s the good news. What’s good about that? It’s the announcement that we can have peace with God. That’s pretty good. In the scheme of things, peace with God counts a lot. …
they desire to draw near to God Isaiah 58:2 Draw Near – Yesterday we learned that qirbah is used only twice in Scripture. This is the second occurrence: qirvat Elohiym. Asaph desired only that God should be near. Now Isaiah tells the people that their pleas for God’s presence are in vain. Why? Because they…
As for me, the nearness of God is good to me; I have made my refuge in the Lord YHWH, to declare Your works. Psalm 73:28 God/ Lord/ YHWH – Before we look at the deeper implications of this verse from Asaph, we must notice that he includes three designations for the Holy One of…
Six days you shall labor and do all your work and the seventh day is a sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work . . . Exodus 20:9-10 Six Days – Religion that takes away the Sabbath leaves us “with a life of weekdays.”[1] Doesn’t that sound appealing? One day just…
“These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling.” John 16:1 Kept From Stumbling – Yeshua does not want you to be scandalized. That’s the Greek word here – skandalizo – “to cause to offend or stumble.” In this context, Yeshua explains the process of faith so that we won’t…
And Egypt, vainly and emptily they help. So I have called to this: Their strength is to sit still. Isaiah 30:7 To Sit Still – Welcome to God’s PAC – the divine Political Action Committee. Of course, His PAC is a bit different from the ones we have. The operative procedure of His PAC is…
And He said, “ I Myself will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and will proclaim the name of YHWH before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:19 To Whom – Who does YHWH love? That…
The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. . . Isaiah 24:5-6 Polluted – It’s the economy, stupid! Everyone is concerned. Everyone is worried (almost everyone). But no one seems…
“And when God made me wander from my father’s house, I said to her . . .” Genesis 20:13 Wander – Abraham’s faith is legendary. His long relationship with YHWH establishes blessings which we enjoy today. But Abraham’s perception of the character of YHWH is often at odds with our “refined” view. Consequently, we tend…
