Category Archives: Old Testament Studies

Don’t Be a Prating Fool

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Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

The truth of this verse plays itself out over and over again in daily life.  As is common in Hebrew poetry, the first part of the verse stands in contrast to the last part.

If a person is wise then they will receive commandments.  “Receive” should be understood as “listen” or “obey”.  It doesn’t mean that a person will get more rules to follow, but rather it means that he/she is receptive to instruction. Continue reading →

Where Do You Turn for Help?

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Psalm 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.  17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

David spent a good portion of his life running from his enemies. Psalm 55 chronicles his reaction to one such instance.  He calls upon the LORD in his time of trouble.  This is a very wise thing to do.  Difficult times are when the people of God should draw close to God, seeking protection and strength.  It is at these times when we recognize very clearly our weakness and dependence.  Continue reading →

Is Truth Dead?

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Jeremiah 7:28

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jeremiah lived in a dark day in Judah’s history.  He faithfully preached God’s message to the people, but they did not listen.  The verse above is part of Jehovah’s assessment of them.  They did not obey or even accept correction for their evil ways.  God then states that “truth is perished”.

When we turn away from God’s truth, it becomes dead (ineffective) to us.  It has, in effect, perished in our lives.  Christians need to guard against this and accept the truth that God has revealed through His Word.  We must not let the cares of life, our culture, or anything turn us away from God’s message.  When truth dies in our life, our fellowship with God goes with it.  When we follow His precepts and wisdom, we can have a vibrant spiritual life as we obediently live for Him.

Who Is the Messiah?

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Isaiah 9:6 gives us great insight into the person and work of the promised Messiah.  The person of Jesus Christ is the only One who fills the qualifications mentioned in this verse.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

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How God Sometimes Speaks

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Eli was a priest who had been entrusted with the raising of young Samuel.  The Bible provides some interesting insight into how God sometimes communicates with individuals through Samuel and Eli’s experiences.  First, sometimes God speaks at an unexpected time.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; (1 Samuel 3:1-3) Continue reading →

What a Pagan King Teaches Us about God

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Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most infamous kings of the Old Testament.  He conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and sent the Jews into exile or captivity.  In Daniel chapter 4, however, the king is humbled by God.  After Nebuchadnezzar boasts of his achievements, God gives him an odd mental disease (know in modern times as lycanthropy or porphyria) where he is forced to live as an animal for seven years. Continue reading →