Someone once asked the question, If a person slew another person in a city of refuge, what would happen? Would they be forced to flee to another city of refuge? Using the text, there is a simple answer. The explanations of the town of refuge are in Numbers 35, Deut 4:41-43, and Deuteronomy 19.
Continue readingLessons From The Giants In Deuteronomy 2
In Deuteronomy 2, Moses talks about Israel’s relatives in Canaan (Edom, Moab, and Ammon) and the giants they faced to get their land. In this chapter, Moses reveals two things. First, they have no reason to fear the giants dwelling among the Canaanites, as these are only a remnant of the Rephaites (giants) who were there before. The rest of whom were previously defeated by Israel’s relatives, so they are not immortal, nor is defeating them impossible. Second, the promised land is a specific geographical section that God will give to the Israelites, and they shouldn’t attempt to take land from their relatives unless God hands it over, as that is their allotted portion.
Continue readingDid God Rape Mary?
Some Bible skeptics have made the argument that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was raped by God because she didn’t give consent for Jesus’ birth. Is this true? Is there any evidence to the contrary?
Continue readingExodus 4:24-26 The Deadly Circumcision
Exodus 4:24-26 involves a circumcision that happened under pressure from the threat of God’s judgment. It seems God was willing to kill Moses right after calling him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Why would he do that, even after he told Moses that it had to be him when Moses asked him to send someone else? This incident seems to imply a failure to circumcise in Moses’s family. Since circumcision was a part of the requirements for the Abrahamic covenant and Moses was leading the Israelites, it was important that he at least kept that rule.
Continue readingIsrael’s Reparations
Some have questioned how the Israelites were able to build the Tabernacle with all of the precious metals and unique fabrics while wandering in the desert.
Continue readingGenesis to Exodus
Some critics suggest that Genesis and Exodus are separate stories from two different sources that were combined. Here is a brief overview and exploration of the transition between Genesis and Exodus, demonstrating a smooth transition between the two.
Continue readingExodus vs Numbers: Firstborn Male Redemption
Some people view Numbers 3:39-50 as a contradiction to Exodus 13:1-16 and Exodus 34:19-20, specifically regarding the topic of firstborn male sacrifice and substitution. However, there is a simple explanation for why the rules have changed.
Continue readingCommand: You Shall Not Lie
Is lying a sin? Yes, but oftentimes some people point out biblical characters “lying” and not getting punished for it. Or use it to personally attack people for saying something untrue without examining their motives. Some have claimed that it was lying when King Solomon threatened to cut a child in half to reveal who the real mother was. Or that God lied when he told Abraham He wanted Isaac to be sacrificed. God also threatened to kill the Israelites and start over with Moses, but didn’t follow through with it, did he lie? The real questions are, what is a lie, and why is it a sin?
Continue readingThe Story of Joseph Pt.2 (Genesis ch. 42-50)
Part 2 of the Joseph story in Genesis 42-50 overview with commentary. Read part one here.
Continue readingThe Story of Joseph Pt.1 (Genesis ch. 29-41)
Part 1 of an overview with commentary on the story of Joseph in Genesis 29-41. Read part two here.
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