Hello Fred. So good to hear from you. I was wondering when we would hear from you again. so, welcome back and I pray that God will chase that old devil away from hindering you further. Amen.
Dear Richard, I read all of your posts and find your diligence challenging. You Take a book and stay focused in it until you finish it. I started on this site a year ago with Genesis and am only in Leviticus. But we each can have our own pace as the Spirit leads us.
For me, writing out an in-depth commentary helps me, first of all, to grasp the chapter better. It works for me. I know that I write long posts and that may not be for many people's preferences. And, realizing this, I like to space such commentary posts out so that the site isn't overloaded with what I post. Trying to be considerate of others in regards to my own postings.
As for you, I think you are doing a wonderful job with your posts. they are helpful and I like reading the Scriptures from your posts. And, because they are so focused and not jumping all over the Scriptures, it helps me to increase my intake of the Word in a more systematic way, So, thank you.
Indeed 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 is the written gospel. You read it but NOW it is up to everyone to obey the gospel which is what Jesus spoke in John 3:3-5. Also Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled bc it is in the name of. No one was ever water baptized in the book of Acts by father, son, & Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 is the New Testament salvation message. Water baptism remits your sins. Matthew 26:28 says the same.
We need the Holy Ghost power. Lo & behold, not everyone has the Holy Spirit just bc they believe.That's just not true. Ppl must stop making a doctrine from one verse. For ex: John 3:16 is true, however we must all start at the beginning of the chapter. And there we find what Jesus Christ spoke on in John 3:3-5, for without it we can not enter into the kingdom of heaven. All the ppl in the book of Acts were told to repent & be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Romans 10:9 is an example---call on the name of the Lord. Read Matthew 26:28, Jesus spoke, "For this is my blood of the New testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins". Hallelujah & Amen
"He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight."
Is we wash our eyes with the water(Word of God) of Siloam(in Hbr Siloam it means the "one who is sent") then we will se clearly(the truth).
I appreciate your positive feedback; I get a few comments here and there. I guess it is safe to say that you are far more in depth in all the Levitical procedures with the sacrifices than I have knowledge of. Am still hoping to get someone on here for an objective analysis of my writings; usually little or no preparation other than reading the Psalm and sometimes a few minutes researching the context and setting. Same deal with general commentaries not scripture specific.
So good to see you back here, brother Fred. And in very truth, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light" ( Romans 13:11,12); for indeed "our redemption draweth nigh".
Arising into heaven upward with my hands stretched out! Calling out His name as I watched and felt the power of the resurrection!
Watching the moon as the clouds opened and I felt the power of the almighty!You will only know one thing as you experience this tremendous feeling. That God cannot lie, He will do as He says! Have faith. When this happens ,it will happen quickly!
I had entered the gate to find a table set. Those around it had nothing to eat. Instead they were consumed with sound that I had turned up on their radio these who were their wanted the volume turn down. As I entered the garden, I looked up and opened my arms, and was taken up into heaven, praising His name! This is a dream I had, I hope you post! Our redemption draws nigh!
"My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:"
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?"
I have been away, and as many times I have wished to return ,only to be thwarted by Satan once again.
Even so with more wisdom and knowledge of those things that so easily have tried to beset us, that have and will once again bring the power that only can come from above!
Satan, once again can never ever outsmart the Holy Spirit that lives within you! If you are watching as you should, you will see that the days are fast approaching fulfilling all things that have been spoken! We who are last shall sound the trumpet unto those who have been called first! We who will be waiting in the end shall give the signal even the Spirit of truth that He has given to all who believe and know the word!
Many of you know me, and how many conversations we have had about the love of Christ! Never before can one be so emphatic to the time has come. Judgment will begin at the house of the Lord! Watch, Watch, I say to you in the name of Christ the Savior of the world!
I would go as far as to say when we are truly saved we should "RECOGNIZE" we have become light "THAT HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM DARKNESS". And we should walk in that light. 1 John 1:5-7.
The word of God is so powerful, there is wisdom which comes through obedience and our relationship with God. Relate to Adam and Eve, man always wants to overtake God's power in creation and as a result is what we are experiencing today. We have created so much evil and the light is shying away from us.
Let us remind ourselves:
Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
If you are speaking of John the Baptist, I have read that it was possibly in the month of Nissan and Jesus being born 6 months later in the month of Tishri. This is based on the record of the services of the high priest terms. Zechariah is said to have the rotation of service in the Temple in the month of Sivan, the month that Elizabeth conceived John.
But as far as Scripture, such dates are not given.
Going back to Joel 2:30-31 we see a verse utilized by Dominionists and other extreme Pentacostals which taken in context are likely to be a description of the 2 Prophets in the last days who have a sort of "Prophetic contest" with the rest of the world. They end up being martyred by the Beast coming out of the sea (Antichrist) before being Resurrected. Again; if there is no warning about false Messiahs doing miracles ( Matt. 24:24) then we are left assuming that everything is genuine that is "miraculous" without examining to see if it is men's imaginations; God or a demon causing these things or apparent things to occur.
Of course if we do the preverbal "throwing out the baby with the bathwater" and are total cessationists we are also going beyond scripture and are in danger at worst of blaspheming God when a true miracle occurs; or at worst being overly discouraging.
Red flag #3: Tying into the first two "red flags" there are those who go beyond what we know presently in relation to a prophetic event and make all sorts of statements on this or that event being a sign; and taken to an extreme stating that it proves such and such an event during the Tribulation is occurring. We must keep in mind that Christ personally opens all the seals; and in fact no man is worthy to do so beforehand. The man of sin surely would have come out by now if the restrainer had been removed. In fact we probably all would have been dead by now.
Red flag #4: Finally; a reminder once again not to be sidetracked by political; economic and other pressing issues beyond what we are called to be. We must be aware of the order of authority; namely the Godhead; Satan and his minions with their own ranks; then men in leadership followed by the rest of us "peons". We can look at the world in a way that we would see a skin lesion and not realize that the whole body is sick (such as seen in Isaiah 1:6). A mighty fortress is our God says it well
Discernment is listed in regard to knowledge of the spirit world as a spiritual gift ( 1 Cor. 12:10) and apparently is listed in Hebrews in understanding between good and evil. Many of us for several reasons are sorely deficient in that area today.
Red flag #1: "Dumbing down scripture". The lack of TRUST in God's revealed and living Word is the basis for all sorts of evils.
It seems rather evident that many aren't even concerned about studying history and also having a fair and impartial study of scripture itself to see how it fits into a whole picture. We have all sorts of ways that we like to "cherry pick" certain verses that fit whatever doctrine is politically correct at the time. If the foundations be destroyed; what can the righteous do? ( Psalm 11:3). Once the "anchor of the soul" ( Heb. 6:19) is taken out as a basic element of our faith then of course we aren't able or willing to see a lie when it is presented.
Red flag #2: Eschatological error. Often referred to as a "secondary issue" once again when scripture isn't literally taken (unless the context and explanation within the text clearly indicates otherwise; we can be in dangerous waters. If; for instance we deliberately ignore verses such as 2 Timothy 3 on many falling away in the last days then we have some idea that a great revival will occur or must occur before He calls His church upward. This is confusing what is written in Revelation and Joel to name two places where a great number come to faith. Revelation makes it clear starting in the 5th Seal that mass martyrdom will be the result of this faith. Persecution is already abounding but for now the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. ( Matthew 16:18). According to Daniel the saints WILL by and large be overcome in the Tribulation ( Daniel 7:21).
Is this the expectation of those who preach of revival today? By and large; no.
The idea that God somehow merely created the "energy" to form the earth and that the "days of creation" could be long periods of time is contrary to the Bible. The Bible clearly teaches otherwise.
The Bible is the very Word of God and each word in the original Hebrew and Greek is exactly the word that God chose to use. While God does use the werd "day" sometimes to refer to a period of time (ex. The day of salvation), in the creation account God use the phrase "And the evening and the morning were the _____ day" in describing each "day" of creation. That phrase means a single 24 hour day, as we know it. In fact if we understand the time line of history properly from the Bible we conclude that creation occurred about 13,000 years ago.
If you visit the SearchingHisWord web site and go to the literature section you will find a book entitled the "Biblical Calander of History" that works this out in detail based only on what the Bible declares.
Verse 5 in this short Psalm indicates vows that David made; unknown as to exactly what they were. The next verse states assurance of long life which Solomon was promised in 1 Kings 3:14 IF He would remain obedient and not stray as warned in the conditions listed there as well as in 2 Chronicles 1:11 and sequential verses (without the promise of long life there). Solomon's sins probably shortened his life; however despite his lengthy reign.
In David's case vows were given; whereas in Solomon's case I know of no such example. There are warnings; in fact in Ecclesiastes which Solomon wrote after learning some bitter life lessons where he mentions vows. ( Ecclesiastes 5:4-8). God requires it; and we are "fools" if we don't. A vow can be a one time act such as Paul in Acts 18:18; or one that is done for as long as a lifetime (such as a marriage vow). Thus; we need to be careful what we promise and have every intention to complete it. Judges 11 shows the seriousness of a poorly thought out vow (much controversy there as to the meaning; it would probably mean dedicating as a perpetual virgin to the Lord in the case of a human as opposed to an animal sacrifice). There are whole commentaries on that passage of scripture.
In this Psalm we should focus on the eternal benefits of those who trust God. Verse 7 indicates the king will abide before God "forever"; and this would clearly foreshadow the Messiah who was to be a son of David who would finally be the one to restore the Kingdom and fulfill all the promises left undone. It would seem that David's vows were for a lifetime of some sort of service (verse 8). The continual praise certainly should accompany what we vow; that would be nice to see in marriages. The rock in verse 2 certainly would indicate Deity; and God's protection in verses 3 and 4 show our heavenly home to come and the angelic protection promised for His saints (see Psalm 91:4).
The prohibition of consuming blood was reiterated at the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 for both Jew and Gentile. So, this law is still in effect for believers. To me, I just trust that God's reasons for this commandment are for my benefit, so it is easy to obey this. I choose to eat meat that is medium done with no blood seeping from it.
Interesting that in John Ch. 6 Jesus says that unless one eats His flesh and drinks His blood one cannot have eternal life. This was greatly disturbing to the religious leaders and most of the Jews that heard these words. Most left off of following Him after this discourse. But the apostles stayed with Him even though this command was quite incredulous for them and the thought of cannibalizing Jesus (as they interpreted His words) was very offensive to them. Yet, they stayed and at a later time grew to understand what Jesus was speaking about here. The Last Supper was the time when Jesus instituted Communion using bread and wine to be as His body and blood of the New Covenant that was cut and sealed by His shed blood and the sacrifice of His body for the sins of the world for the forgiveness of sins.
The last section of this chapter speaks of regulations concerning eating animals that have died a natural death (not from disease) or torn apart by a beast. They were again prohibited from eating any of it blood and if they did eat the flesh, they would need to bathe themselves and be unclean until the evening.
God took the shedding of any blood from any creature He had made a serious matter, not so much prohibited, but that since sins must be covered by the shedding of blood, His people should be careful to be respectful of the animals they slaughter for food or for sacrifice.
In 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Paul gives instructions on partaking in Communion in church worship. His words emphasize the respect and honor we are to give to this ordinance as in we are partaking of the body and blood of Jesus in fellowship
God's law concerning the slaying of animals for sacrifice
Prohibition of consuming blood
Directives concerning animals who die naturally or are killed by a beast.
From Adam to the time of the Exodus-those who had faith in the true God would create altars and sacrifice animals to God wherever and whenever they felt it was good to do so. Each man was his own priest for himself and his household. But now with the priesthood installed and sacrificial ceremonies in place and the law given to the Israelites, the common people were to stop killing animals and sacrificing them in the open fields. Instead, they were to bring each animal they wished to sacrifice to the door of the tent of meeting to be offered by the priests in the correct way instructed in Leviticus 1-16. It was the priests' job to accept each animal for sacrifice at the tent of meeting. So they were spending most of their time in this tabernacle. People could slaughter the animal at home, but then they were to bring it to the tent of meeting to be sacrificed on the brazen altar by the priest. All of the blood was to be drained from the animal and if done so outside of the tabernacle, the blood was to be covered with dust. Some of it would be brought to the tabernacle to be poured out at the altar. The fat was burned, and if a peace offering, they could take of the meat of the butchered animal and eat it with their families and the priests.
God was concerned that if allowed to sacrifice anywhere and anytime they chose, the Israelites would revert to sacrificial practices of the pagan around them and make sacrifices to idols and be led astray from YHWH.
In the middle of the chapter, the Israelites are sternly commanded again to never consume the blood of any animal, like the heathens did, but also because God says that the life is in the blood. So, to consume the blood one would be consuming a live substance rather than dead food.
Thank you brother. I too, alongwith GiGi, agree to what you've shared here. Scientists have been searching for answers about the unknown worlds & our existence, & have developed theories to which they will cling to until some new discovery is made to bring them to 'greater knowledge'. To accept the Genesis account would be too simplistic & unworthy of their great education & advanced analytical skills & knowledge. But they will never understand what God has determined & what God has put in place. They come with their mental prowess but God simply asks us to accept what He has done & given us to know, in Faith.
Then, can science & faith ever be compatible? There would be varied opinions on this I'm sure, even as one known to me is a religious person (as believing in God's existence), but also an accomplished scientist & mathematician. He tells me that the two (science & faith) can co-exist, even as he has proved. It may to some extent, but where science ends, where the limits of man's knowledge are reached, how many scientists resort to God's Word for the answer and believe Him for what He has told us?
As Duncan has written, I can't recall any such situation that you've given here. Though in Ephesians 4:32 we read, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Here, the thought is to show kindness, gentleness & compassion to one another, since we really don't understand or fully understand the trials that another person may be going through. We shouldn't think that a lack of a facial expression should definitely mean something is amiss. He might be working through some issue, lost a loved one, or even had a tooth pulled out that won't bring on a smile. So, we need to understand that there might be a good reason for a somber or sullen face & rather to tell him to 'get over it & smile a little', we would do better to get beside him & minister to him as he permits you & by the Lord's leading.
One further comment in light of the beginning of what I said in the previous post. The stories of antiquity still have an origin; such as those of gods and giants. The O.T. makes it clear that there were indeed various tribes of Nephilim; Zamzumites and a bunch of other giants that were of the offspring of demons and man as mentioned in Genesis 6. Satan is very real and demons have taken many aspects of truth as often found in original languages and cultures and their stories of an original true Creator God which changed later on to that of varying mythologies. There is also a similar flood story to scripture worldwide to Noah as well.
These things have to be examined along with other things; I pray that you look long and hard to the historicity of the Bible before making any hasty conclusions to disregard it. There are many good resources out there such as the old book Evidence that demands a verdict and the sequel from Josh McDowell and many other good apologetic books along with recent archaeological discoveries.
The preverbal question that comes up is what comes first...in this case is it Christmas or pagan stories of a similar nature? If you are already determined to be a diehard atheist; then I suppose you could automatically designate the story of the birth of Christ (which you can see is in those verses as well as the start of other Gospels) as a late version of say Semiramis or the countless mother and child mythologies involving a virgin child; or offspring from the "gods"; etc.
The genealogical descendants as you will observe are listed in Matthew from Joseph; but in Luke they are from Mary's lineage.
One point that is brought out in Matthew is the census; clearly the lineage of each family was well known in the list of descendants. There are some complexities involved which on a surface level may appear to be discrepancies. Nonetheless; the whole history of the O.T. had to have descendants for the Messiah to come through certain individuals. David was promised according to Mark 12:36 (referring to an O.T. scripture) that Messiah would be in his lineage.
The whole Christian faith hinges on God coming in the form of a man who could live as we did but without sin; and becoming the final atoning sacrifice. The O.T. sacrifices have been gone for nearly 2000 years; the occurrence of the curtain tearing in the Temple happened when Christ died. He had to overcome death and was Resurrected as well; all prophesied events. (See Luke 23:44-45). The virgin birth was promised in Isaiah 7:14. Christ had to not be born with the sin nature which all sons of Adam had (so wasn't from natural human seed). He had to take on our sins as the sacrificial lamb.
He had to be God (as God the Son and part of the eternal Godhead demonstrated as early as the Book of Genesis where God created man in "our image" ( Genesis 1:26). Only God can forgive; and Christ stating that He was the "I am" ( John 8:58) showed He was truly God as only God can forgive sins.
For me, writing out an in-depth commentary helps me, first of all, to grasp the chapter better. It works for me. I know that I write long posts and that may not be for many people's preferences. And, realizing this, I like to space such commentary posts out so that the site isn't overloaded with what I post. Trying to be considerate of others in regards to my own postings.
As for you, I think you are doing a wonderful job with your posts. they are helpful and I like reading the Scriptures from your posts. And, because they are so focused and not jumping all over the Scriptures, it helps me to increase my intake of the Word in a more systematic way, So, thank you.
Indeed 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 is the written gospel. You read it but NOW it is up to everyone to obey the gospel which is what Jesus spoke in John 3:3-5. Also Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled bc it is in the name of. No one was ever water baptized in the book of Acts by father, son, & Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 is the New Testament salvation message. Water baptism remits your sins. Matthew 26:28 says the same.
We need the Holy Ghost power. Lo & behold, not everyone has the Holy Spirit just bc they believe.That's just not true. Ppl must stop making a doctrine from one verse. For ex: John 3:16 is true, however we must all start at the beginning of the chapter. And there we find what Jesus Christ spoke on in John 3:3-5, for without it we can not enter into the kingdom of heaven. All the ppl in the book of Acts were told to repent & be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Romans 10:9 is an example---call on the name of the Lord. Read Matthew 26:28, Jesus spoke, "For this is my blood of the New testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins". Hallelujah & Amen
I love God & his truth
"He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight."
Is we wash our eyes with the water(Word of God) of Siloam(in Hbr Siloam it means the "one who is sent") then we will se clearly(the truth).
Watching the moon as the clouds opened and I felt the power of the almighty!You will only know one thing as you experience this tremendous feeling. That God cannot lie, He will do as He says! Have faith. When this happens ,it will happen quickly!
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?"
I have been away, and as many times I have wished to return ,only to be thwarted by Satan once again.
Even so with more wisdom and knowledge of those things that so easily have tried to beset us, that have and will once again bring the power that only can come from above!
Satan, once again can never ever outsmart the Holy Spirit that lives within you! If you are watching as you should, you will see that the days are fast approaching fulfilling all things that have been spoken! We who are last shall sound the trumpet unto those who have been called first! We who will be waiting in the end shall give the signal even the Spirit of truth that He has given to all who believe and know the word!
Many of you know me, and how many conversations we have had about the love of Christ! Never before can one be so emphatic to the time has come. Judgment will begin at the house of the Lord! Watch, Watch, I say to you in the name of Christ the Savior of the world!
I would go as far as to say when we are truly saved we should "RECOGNIZE" we have become light "THAT HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM DARKNESS". And we should walk in that light. 1 John 1:5-7.
God bless.
Let us remind ourselves:
Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
But as far as Scripture, such dates are not given.
Going back to Joel 2:30-31 we see a verse utilized by Dominionists and other extreme Pentacostals which taken in context are likely to be a description of the 2 Prophets in the last days who have a sort of "Prophetic contest" with the rest of the world. They end up being martyred by the Beast coming out of the sea (Antichrist) before being Resurrected. Again; if there is no warning about false Messiahs doing miracles ( Matt. 24:24) then we are left assuming that everything is genuine that is "miraculous" without examining to see if it is men's imaginations; God or a demon causing these things or apparent things to occur.
Of course if we do the preverbal "throwing out the baby with the bathwater" and are total cessationists we are also going beyond scripture and are in danger at worst of blaspheming God when a true miracle occurs; or at worst being overly discouraging.
Red flag #3: Tying into the first two "red flags" there are those who go beyond what we know presently in relation to a prophetic event and make all sorts of statements on this or that event being a sign; and taken to an extreme stating that it proves such and such an event during the Tribulation is occurring. We must keep in mind that Christ personally opens all the seals; and in fact no man is worthy to do so beforehand. The man of sin surely would have come out by now if the restrainer had been removed. In fact we probably all would have been dead by now.
Red flag #4: Finally; a reminder once again not to be sidetracked by political; economic and other pressing issues beyond what we are called to be. We must be aware of the order of authority; namely the Godhead; Satan and his minions with their own ranks; then men in leadership followed by the rest of us "peons". We can look at the world in a way that we would see a skin lesion and not realize that the whole body is sick (such as seen in Isaiah 1:6). A mighty fortress is our God says it well
Discernment is listed in regard to knowledge of the spirit world as a spiritual gift ( 1 Cor. 12:10) and apparently is listed in Hebrews in understanding between good and evil. Many of us for several reasons are sorely deficient in that area today.
Red flag #1: "Dumbing down scripture". The lack of TRUST in God's revealed and living Word is the basis for all sorts of evils.
It seems rather evident that many aren't even concerned about studying history and also having a fair and impartial study of scripture itself to see how it fits into a whole picture. We have all sorts of ways that we like to "cherry pick" certain verses that fit whatever doctrine is politically correct at the time. If the foundations be destroyed; what can the righteous do? ( Psalm 11:3). Once the "anchor of the soul" ( Heb. 6:19) is taken out as a basic element of our faith then of course we aren't able or willing to see a lie when it is presented.
Red flag #2: Eschatological error. Often referred to as a "secondary issue" once again when scripture isn't literally taken (unless the context and explanation within the text clearly indicates otherwise; we can be in dangerous waters. If; for instance we deliberately ignore verses such as 2 Timothy 3 on many falling away in the last days then we have some idea that a great revival will occur or must occur before He calls His church upward. This is confusing what is written in Revelation and Joel to name two places where a great number come to faith. Revelation makes it clear starting in the 5th Seal that mass martyrdom will be the result of this faith. Persecution is already abounding but for now the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. ( Matthew 16:18). According to Daniel the saints WILL by and large be overcome in the Tribulation ( Daniel 7:21).
Is this the expectation of those who preach of revival today? By and large; no.
to be continued...
The Bible is the very Word of God and each word in the original Hebrew and Greek is exactly the word that God chose to use. While God does use the werd "day" sometimes to refer to a period of time (ex. The day of salvation), in the creation account God use the phrase "And the evening and the morning were the _____ day" in describing each "day" of creation. That phrase means a single 24 hour day, as we know it. In fact if we understand the time line of history properly from the Bible we conclude that creation occurred about 13,000 years ago.
If you visit the SearchingHisWord web site and go to the literature section you will find a book entitled the "Biblical Calander of History" that works this out in detail based only on what the Bible declares.
Verse 5 in this short Psalm indicates vows that David made; unknown as to exactly what they were. The next verse states assurance of long life which Solomon was promised in 1 Kings 3:14 IF He would remain obedient and not stray as warned in the conditions listed there as well as in 2 Chronicles 1:11 and sequential verses (without the promise of long life there). Solomon's sins probably shortened his life; however despite his lengthy reign.
In David's case vows were given; whereas in Solomon's case I know of no such example. There are warnings; in fact in Ecclesiastes which Solomon wrote after learning some bitter life lessons where he mentions vows. ( Ecclesiastes 5:4-8). God requires it; and we are "fools" if we don't. A vow can be a one time act such as Paul in Acts 18:18; or one that is done for as long as a lifetime (such as a marriage vow). Thus; we need to be careful what we promise and have every intention to complete it. Judges 11 shows the seriousness of a poorly thought out vow (much controversy there as to the meaning; it would probably mean dedicating as a perpetual virgin to the Lord in the case of a human as opposed to an animal sacrifice). There are whole commentaries on that passage of scripture.
In this Psalm we should focus on the eternal benefits of those who trust God. Verse 7 indicates the king will abide before God "forever"; and this would clearly foreshadow the Messiah who was to be a son of David who would finally be the one to restore the Kingdom and fulfill all the promises left undone. It would seem that David's vows were for a lifetime of some sort of service (verse 8). The continual praise certainly should accompany what we vow; that would be nice to see in marriages. The rock in verse 2 certainly would indicate Deity; and God's protection in verses 3 and 4 show our heavenly home to come and the angelic protection promised for His saints (see Psalm 91:4).
The prohibition of consuming blood was reiterated at the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 for both Jew and Gentile. So, this law is still in effect for believers. To me, I just trust that God's reasons for this commandment are for my benefit, so it is easy to obey this. I choose to eat meat that is medium done with no blood seeping from it.
Interesting that in John Ch. 6 Jesus says that unless one eats His flesh and drinks His blood one cannot have eternal life. This was greatly disturbing to the religious leaders and most of the Jews that heard these words. Most left off of following Him after this discourse. But the apostles stayed with Him even though this command was quite incredulous for them and the thought of cannibalizing Jesus (as they interpreted His words) was very offensive to them. Yet, they stayed and at a later time grew to understand what Jesus was speaking about here. The Last Supper was the time when Jesus instituted Communion using bread and wine to be as His body and blood of the New Covenant that was cut and sealed by His shed blood and the sacrifice of His body for the sins of the world for the forgiveness of sins.
The last section of this chapter speaks of regulations concerning eating animals that have died a natural death (not from disease) or torn apart by a beast. They were again prohibited from eating any of it blood and if they did eat the flesh, they would need to bathe themselves and be unclean until the evening.
God took the shedding of any blood from any creature He had made a serious matter, not so much prohibited, but that since sins must be covered by the shedding of blood, His people should be careful to be respectful of the animals they slaughter for food or for sacrifice.
In 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Paul gives instructions on partaking in Communion in church worship. His words emphasize the respect and honor we are to give to this ordinance as in we are partaking of the body and blood of Jesus in fellowship
This chapter has a few different subjects:
God's law concerning the slaying of animals for sacrifice
Prohibition of consuming blood
Directives concerning animals who die naturally or are killed by a beast.
From Adam to the time of the Exodus-those who had faith in the true God would create altars and sacrifice animals to God wherever and whenever they felt it was good to do so. Each man was his own priest for himself and his household. But now with the priesthood installed and sacrificial ceremonies in place and the law given to the Israelites, the common people were to stop killing animals and sacrificing them in the open fields. Instead, they were to bring each animal they wished to sacrifice to the door of the tent of meeting to be offered by the priests in the correct way instructed in Leviticus 1-16. It was the priests' job to accept each animal for sacrifice at the tent of meeting. So they were spending most of their time in this tabernacle. People could slaughter the animal at home, but then they were to bring it to the tent of meeting to be sacrificed on the brazen altar by the priest. All of the blood was to be drained from the animal and if done so outside of the tabernacle, the blood was to be covered with dust. Some of it would be brought to the tabernacle to be poured out at the altar. The fat was burned, and if a peace offering, they could take of the meat of the butchered animal and eat it with their families and the priests.
God was concerned that if allowed to sacrifice anywhere and anytime they chose, the Israelites would revert to sacrificial practices of the pagan around them and make sacrifices to idols and be led astray from YHWH.
In the middle of the chapter, the Israelites are sternly commanded again to never consume the blood of any animal, like the heathens did, but also because God says that the life is in the blood. So, to consume the blood one would be consuming a live substance rather than dead food.
Then, can science & faith ever be compatible? There would be varied opinions on this I'm sure, even as one known to me is a religious person (as believing in God's existence), but also an accomplished scientist & mathematician. He tells me that the two (science & faith) can co-exist, even as he has proved. It may to some extent, but where science ends, where the limits of man's knowledge are reached, how many scientists resort to God's Word for the answer and believe Him for what He has told us?
Here, the thought is to show kindness, gentleness & compassion to one another, since we really don't understand or fully understand the trials that another person may be going through. We shouldn't think that a lack of a facial expression should definitely mean something is amiss. He might be working through some issue, lost a loved one, or even had a tooth pulled out that won't bring on a smile. So, we need to understand that there might be a good reason for a somber or sullen face & rather to tell him to 'get over it & smile a little', we would do better to get beside him & minister to him as he permits you & by the Lord's leading.
These things have to be examined along with other things; I pray that you look long and hard to the historicity of the Bible before making any hasty conclusions to disregard it. There are many good resources out there such as the old book Evidence that demands a verdict and the sequel from Josh McDowell and many other good apologetic books along with recent archaeological discoveries.
Do your homework.
Agape; Rich P.
The genealogical descendants as you will observe are listed in Matthew from Joseph; but in Luke they are from Mary's lineage.
One point that is brought out in Matthew is the census; clearly the lineage of each family was well known in the list of descendants. There are some complexities involved which on a surface level may appear to be discrepancies. Nonetheless; the whole history of the O.T. had to have descendants for the Messiah to come through certain individuals. David was promised according to Mark 12:36 (referring to an O.T. scripture) that Messiah would be in his lineage.
The whole Christian faith hinges on God coming in the form of a man who could live as we did but without sin; and becoming the final atoning sacrifice. The O.T. sacrifices have been gone for nearly 2000 years; the occurrence of the curtain tearing in the Temple happened when Christ died. He had to overcome death and was Resurrected as well; all prophesied events. (See Luke 23:44-45). The virgin birth was promised in Isaiah 7:14. Christ had to not be born with the sin nature which all sons of Adam had (so wasn't from natural human seed). He had to take on our sins as the sacrificial lamb.
He had to be God (as God the Son and part of the eternal Godhead demonstrated as early as the Book of Genesis where God created man in "our image" ( Genesis 1:26). Only God can forgive; and Christ stating that He was the "I am" ( John 8:58) showed He was truly God as only God can forgive sins.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.