When we ask God for things we need, do we need to beg and plead with him? Or can we trust that He loves us and will hear and answer us, just because we call on Him? We don’t need to beg God to help us; instead, we can trust God to supply our needs because he promises to do so.
Continue readingThe Story of Jacob Pt.2 (Genesis ch. 35-50)
Part 2 of an overview of the story of Jacob in Genesis 35-50 with some commentary. Check out part one here.
Continue readingThe Story of Jacob Pt.1 (Genesis ch. 25-34)
Part 1 of an overview of the story of Jacob in Genesis 25-34 with some commentary. Check out part two here.
Continue readingAdultery: Men vs Women
Why does the Bible mainly focus on women committing adultery? Numbers chapter 5 describes a purity ceremony that determines if the wife cheated, but there is no equivalent for men. It may be that the classification of adultery differs under a polygamous system.
Continue readingIsaac vs Ishmael Everlasting Covenant
Abraham had eight sons: Ishmael from Hagar, Isaac from Sarah, and six sons — Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah — all from Keturah, his second wife after Sarah’s death. There is a blessing for all of Abraham’s children, but the special, everlasting covenant is only for Isaac because this promise was made to Sarah’s son, and she had only one son.
Continue readingAngel Worship and False Angels
In the New Testament, we are warned about false human teachers, but we are also cautioned against deceiving spirits. Jesus warns us about false prophets and false messiahs in Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22. Colossians 2:8-10 instructs us to reject corrupt theology based on the philosophies of worldly spiritual teachings. 1 John 4:1-4 instructs us to test the spirits and reject those that lead people away from the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Galatians 1:8 warns against the false gospel preached by anyone, including fallen angels. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 states that false teachers pretending to be godly are like Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light. Additionally, Colossians 2:18 states that angels shouldn’t be worshiped or prayed to.
Continue readingSodom and Gomorrah Hazing Ritual
Oftentimes people will use the word “sodomy” about same-sex intercourse and “sodomite” about those that engage in it. Let’s make a note that Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty of far more than just that. Sodom and Gomorrah are mentioned in Ezekiel 16:49 for various sins, like pride and abusing the poor. In Jeremiah 23:14, they are compared to the sins of priests in pre-exile Israel who committed adultery and idolatry. In Matthew 11:24, Jesus even compares his generation of Jews to Sodom and says they are more stubborn and hard-hearted. Therefore, Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty of more than just sexual sin.
Continue readingGospel Contradictions: Blind Men and Demons
There are four Gospels, and they are all slightly different because they were written by other people who either witnessed or spoke with witnesses of the same events. Some variation is natural, so it should be expected; however, the Bible remains spiritually inspired, and minor variations are not contradictions. Nevertheless, some Bible skeptics will make a big deal out of them. The story of Jesus exorcising the legion of demons is one of the most famous stories associated with Jesus. There are two men possessed by a legion of demons in Matthew 8:28-34, but only one demon-possessed man is mentioned in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39. Additionally, there are two blind men in Matthew 20:29-34, but only one blind person is mentioned in Luke 18:35-43, and he is identified as Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52. Is this a contradiction?
Continue readingEsau’s Wives
How many wives did Esau have? He first had two Hittite wives, Basemath, the daughter of Elon, and Judith, the daughter of Beeri, as recorded in Genesis 26:34-35. Then the sister of Nebaioth, Ishmael’s daughter Mahalath (Gen 28:8-9). However, later in Gen 36:2-3, it is stated that his wives are Adah, the daughter of Elon, Bashemath, the daughter of Ishmael, and Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite. Esau’s children were Eliphaz (from Adah), Reuel (from Bashemath), and Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah (all three from Aholibamah).
Continue readingOn Covenants in the Bible
The Bible is more than two covenants, Old and New. There are multiple covenants in the Old Testament. There are the Edenic, Adamic, Noahide, Abrahamic, Sinaitic, Davidic, and Messianic Covenants. The Messianic Covenant is a product of the events recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament.
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