Primary themes and practical applications of the Bible (part 4)
It should be fairly obvious that we only can follow what the Lord says in scripture. As previously mentioned Satan accurately quoted scriptures to Christ but it was to suit his twisted logic in order to make another failed attempt to bring down Christ to get the glory for himself. The previous example of Moses as well as any other Bible characters; almost all whose flaws were painstakingly detailed in the Bible show that even accurate biographies of these individuals doesn't mean we should emulate them in all things. Certainly we can learn from their mistakes; even with circumstances from thousands of years ago when men would covet a neighbor's donkey and other things that are hard to relate to.
"Substance over form"
In 1 Samuel 7:9 Samuel only offered ONE lamb which would be for; as far as I can tell all of Israel at that time. There were other instances when men were allowed to take the Passover one month later when unclean; when David ate the shewbread only by law for the priests; etc. Even in the old Testament times; a true sacrifice was with a broken and contrite spirit ( Psalm 51:17). It became clear later on in passages such as Isaiah 1:14 that God was tired of rituals without being heartfelt and he actually used the word HATE to describe it. That word is rare; the only other time I am aware of it is used with the passage "I hate divorce" ( Malachi 2:16). Eventually the New Covenant would render the old obsolete; but we can't say there aren't relatable themes here; once again pointing to a man's heart condition such as was seen with the parable given in Luke 18:13.
Justifying our religious pride certainly hasn't died out with the law and the Old Testament regulations; it has merely found different ways to control and manipulate people under the "authority" of the church and offices of administration that are excuses for "lording it over" parishioners; and often fleecing money.
It should be fairly obvious that we only can follow what the Lord says in scripture. As previously mentioned Satan accurately quoted scriptures to Christ but it was to suit his twisted logic in order to make another failed attempt to bring down Christ to get the glory for himself. The previous example of Moses as well as any other Bible characters; almost all whose flaws were painstakingly detailed in the Bible show that even accurate biographies of these individuals doesn't mean we should emulate them in all things. Certainly we can learn from their mistakes; even with circumstances from thousands of years ago when men would covet a neighbor's donkey and other things that are hard to relate to.
"Substance over form"
In 1 Samuel 7:9 Samuel only offered ONE lamb which would be for; as far as I can tell all of Israel at that time. There were other instances when men were allowed to take the Passover one month later when unclean; when David ate the shewbread only by law for the priests; etc. Even in the old Testament times; a true sacrifice was with a broken and contrite spirit ( Psalm 51:17). It became clear later on in passages such as Isaiah 1:14 that God was tired of rituals without being heartfelt and he actually used the word HATE to describe it. That word is rare; the only other time I am aware of it is used with the passage "I hate divorce" ( Malachi 2:16). Eventually the New Covenant would render the old obsolete; but we can't say there aren't relatable themes here; once again pointing to a man's heart condition such as was seen with the parable given in Luke 18:13.
Justifying our religious pride certainly hasn't died out with the law and the Old Testament regulations; it has merely found different ways to control and manipulate people under the "authority" of the church and offices of administration that are excuses for "lording it over" parishioners; and often fleecing money.
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