Law and Grace: Part 3

Baruch Levine emphasizes one of the most important characteristics of the Hebrew view of law when he says: . . . the laws of the Torah did not permit Israelites to expiate intentional or premeditated offenses by means of sacrifice.  There was no vicarious, ritual remedy – substitution of one’s property or wealth – for…

Connections

You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down to Lebanon. Song of Songs 4:15 Flowing Water – Do you remember the rabbinic principle of exegesis concerning similar words and phrases?  Basically, this principle says since God is the author of the text, where we find similar words we must look for…

Renamed

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. Song of Songs 1:3 Perfumes – Song of Songs does more than provide the reader with an exuberant poem about the power of love.  Of course, it’s reassuring to find that the biblical record includes an elaborate endorsement of one of…

Adam and Abram

So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing [children].  Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.”  And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:2 Listened To The Voice – Ah, now you see the connection.  Adam listened to the voice of…

Measure For Measure

So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing [children].  Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.”  And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:2 Please – Did you think Sarai simply forgave Abram for betraying her by “selling” her to Pharaoh? …

The Fine Print

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Sins – John doesn’t write, “Confess your sin.” He writes, “Confess your sins.” It’s plural. He is not writing about the big block of willful rebellion against the source of light…

Half Way There

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Confess – Let’s translate this verse according to contemporary standards: “If we admit our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins.” In Hollywood terms, this is the equivalent…

Betrayed

“Please say that you are my sister, so that it may be well with me for your sake” Genesis 12:13 For Your Sake – Not Abram’s finest hour, is it? His wife, Sarai, is beautiful and desirable. This is a problem. He fears that men will kill him to take her. So, he asks her…

Some Questions Resolved

Recently, some blog comments have raised issues about various Hebraic topics.  Some of these can be easily resolved with an internet search. How did the name Yeshua become Jesus?  click here The shift from the Hebrew Bible to the Christian Bible.  Click here