A place to grow your relationship with God

Archive for the ‘Scriptural Articles’ Category

Weekly Recap of Articles for Christians Jan 4th to Jan 10th

Bible

Education

Cooking/ House Keeping

Estudio Bíblico en Español

Category:

A First Book in American History, bible, bible, Bible Study, books, Education, history, Scriptural Articles, Weekly Recaps

Tagged with:

Unveiling the Armor of God in the Old Testament

When most people think of the Armor of God, they think of Ephesians 6:11-18 where Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. Did you know that the Old Testament speaks about the armor of God? It is not as laid out as Paul puts it in Ephesians, but it is there.

Here are the different pieces of armor found throughout the Old Testament:

Belt of Truth

  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
  • Psalms 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
  • Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Breastplate of Righteousness

  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
  • Psalms 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
  • Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Shoes of Peace

  • Remember the function of shoes is to protection the feet and to help keep your feet from slipping.
    • Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
    • Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
    • Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
    • Psalms 56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
    • Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
    • Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Shield of Faith

  • Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
  • Psalms 3:3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
  • Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Helmet of Salvation

  • Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
  • Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Remember to take the Whole Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:12-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Category:

bible, Bible Study, Christian Living, General Bible Study, Old Testament and the New Testament Compared, Psalms, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

10 Times Were the Israelites tempted God

Numbers 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

This verse indicts that the Children of Israel tested and tempted God 10 different times. They had problems trusting God even after seeing the plagues in Egypt. Below are the 10 times where they doubted God.

  1. The Red Sea
    • Exodus 14:10-12: And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
      • They were scared and accused God of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them.
      • This incident set the pattern for recurring disbelief, even though God miraculously parted the Red Sea soon after (Exodus 14:21-22).
  2. Complaining about Bitter Water
    • Exodus 15:22-24 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
      • After three days wandering through the Wilderness of Shur without finding drinkable water, the people became frustrated when they reached Marah and discovered its waters were bitter. Instead of recalling how God had delivered them at the Red Sea, they grumbled to Moses, questioning whether God would continue to provide for them.
  3. Grumbling about Food in the Wilderness
    • Exodus 16:2-3 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
      • God responded to their lack of faith by raining down manna, demonstrating His continual care despite their complaints (Exodus 16:4-5).
  4. Disobedience Regarding the Manna and the Sabbath
    • Exodus 16:27-30 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.
      • God told the Israelites to collect manna for six days and rest on the seventh. But some ignored this and went out to gather manna on the Sabbath anyway. Their disobedience tested God’s patience and showed their ongoing doubt.
  5. Quarreling about Water at Rephidim
    • Exodus 17:1-7 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?
      • Later in Deutronomy when the travels and the Law is being reviewed, this incident it recalled.
        • Deutronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
      • Jesus when answering Satan quotes from Deutronomy.
        • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
    • God instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, causing water to flow and providing the people with evidence of His faithfulness (Exodus 17:6-7).
  6. The Golden Calf at Mount Sinai
    • Exodus 32:1-6 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
      • While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the people grew restless and asked Aaron to make them gods. They ended up crafting a golden calf, crediting this idol with their escape from Egypt. This open act of idolatry challenged God’s holiness, despite all the incredible signs and wonders they had already seen.
  7. General Complaints and Discontent
    • Numbers 11:1-3 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them.
      • As they traveled from Mount Sinai, the Israelites started grumbling once more for no clear reason. The Bible says that “the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp” (Numbers 11:1). This episode highlights how their complaints were ongoing and intentional acts of disbelief.
  8. Craving Meat and Rejecting Manna
    • Numbers 11:4-6 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
      • They insisted they were better off in Egypt, once again ignoring God’s continued provision. By longing more for their former lives there than trusting His plan, they put the Lord to the test.
  9. Disbelief Following the Spies’ Report
    • Numbers 14:1-4 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
      • When Moses sent spies to scout out Canaan, most came back with a discouraging report. The Israelites were gripped by fear, unwilling to trust that God would give them the land. They even considered picking a new leader and heading back to Egypt. This deep lack of faith stood in stark contrast to the powerful acts of deliverance God had already shown them.
  10. Rebellion of Korah and the Aftermath
    • Numbers 16:1-3 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
    • Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
      • Korah, Dathan, and Abiram stood against Moses’ authority, and God responded with a dramatic judgment, causing the earth to swallow them. But the very next day, the people grumbled again, accusing Moses of causing their deaths (Numbers 16:41). This moment shows yet another refusal to accept God’s chosen leader and trust in His decisions.

Significance of the Ten Tests

These ten events show a pattern of doubt, ingratitude, and defiance, even in the face of remarkable displays of divine power. Time after time, the Israelites had clear proof of God’s faithfulness—through miracles, provisions, and warnings—yet they continued to struggle with disbelief.

These stories offer lasting lessons about the risks of becoming complacent or ignoring guidance. For readers today, they highlight the value of trusting the One who always provides and supports, even when situations seem overwhelming.

Implications for Faith and Obedience

These repeated challenges remind believers of the real consequences of not trusting God’s promises. Each moment comes with a call to return to faithful obedience, urging us not to “test the LORD” (see Deuteronomy 6:16). Paul, reflecting on these wilderness events, said, “Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Choosing faith in tough times keeps us rooted in God’s gracious character, giving us a firm spiritual foundation and helping us avoid the traps of rebellion.

Conclusion

The account of Israel testing God ten times is a powerful reminder that disbelief and defiance can cloud our vision, no matter how many miracles we’ve seen. Real faith grows when it’s grounded in humble trust, recalling past rescues and leaning on God’s promises. Looking at these events shows us that His character deserves our complete confidence, and that any challenge to His faithfulness should lead us to respond with trust and obedience, knowing His love and strength have never failed.

Category:

bible, Bible Study, General Bible Study, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Explorando la vida y las enseñanzas de Jesús

Jesús es la figura central de toda la Biblia. A continuación, encontrará algunos estudios sobre Jesús, su identidad y sus obras.

  • Jesús de Nazaret nace en el año 5 o 4 a. C. (Israel)
  • Jesús en su niñez: año 8 o 7 d. C.
  • Enseñanzas y milagros de Jesús: del 25 al 30 d. C. (Israel)
  • Traición y muerte de Jesús: alrededor del año 30 d. C. (Israel)
  • Resurrección de Jesús: alrededor del año 30 d. C. (Israel)

Category:

Estudio bíblico general, Estudio de la Biblia,, General Bible Study

Tagged with:

Othniel: A Biblical Hero’s Journey

There were some nations that God did not have Joshua drive out from the promise land. Those nations were left as a test for Israel.

  • Judges 3:1-5
    •  Now these are the nations which the Lord left [in order] to test Israel by them (that is, all [the people of Israel] who had not [previously] experienced any of the wars in Canaan; 
    • only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, at least those who had not experienced it previously). 
    • The remaining nations are:
      • the five lords (governors) of the Philistines,
      • all the Canaanites,
      • the Sidonians,
      • and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath. 
    • They were [allowed to remain] for the testing of Israel, to determine whether Israel would listen to and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers (ancestors) through Moses.

Israel was commanded not to intermarry.

  • Deuteronomy 7:3-4
    • You shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son; 
    • for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled and burn against you and He will quickly destroy you. 

Israel disobeyed.

  • Judges 3:5-6
    • And the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites; 
    • and they took their daughters for themselves as wives and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their [pagan] gods.

God allowed Cushan-rishathaim the king of Mesopotamia to put them into bondage.

  • Cushan-rishathaim is often interpreted to mean “Cushan of double wickedness” or “Cushan of double iniquity,” reflecting his oppressive rule over Israel.
  • Cushan-rishathaim is described as the king of Aram Naharaim, which is often identified with the region of Mesopotamia, specifically the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • Aram Naharaim is better known as the Kingdom of Mitanni. This Kingdom came on the scene around 1600 BC

After 8 years of bondage the Children of Israel cried out to God.

  • Judges 3:9
    • But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord [for help], the Lord raised up a man to rescue the people of Israel, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 

Othniel

  • Othniel means “lion of God.”
  • He was Caleb’s younger brother.
    • Caleb was one of the two honest 12 spies.
      • Numbers 13:6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh
  • We 1st learn about Othniel in Joshua 15:13-17
    •  Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh Joshua gave a portion among the sons of Judah, as the Lord commanded him, namely, Kiriath-arba, Arba being the father of Anak (that is, Hebron). 
    • So Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak. 
    • Then he went up from there against the people of Debir; Debir was formerly named Kiriath-sepher. 
    • Caleb said, “I will give Achsah my daughter as wife to the man who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it.” 
    • And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, captured it; so he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife.

The spirit of God came upon Othniel.

  • Judges 3:10-11
    • The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, and he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. 
    •  And the land was at rest [from oppression for] forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

This battle corresponds to the downfall of Aram Naharaim in the 14th century BC.

Category:

bible, Bible Study, General Bible Study, history, People of the Bible, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Melchizedek and Christ: Unraveling the Theological Mystery

Who was Melchizedek (sometimes spelled Melchisedec). Paul refers to him in Hebrews chapter 7

  • Hebrews 7:1-3
    • For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
    • To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
    • Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

The writer of Hebrews noted that Melchizedek had no recorded genealogy in the priesthood, possibly because records weren’t kept in Abraham’s time. Moses later wrote about this meeting (see Gen. 14) when he composed the Torah in the wilderness, centuries after Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek.

The writer of Hebrews and his audience understood that the Jewish priesthood began during Moses’ time in the wilderness, following the revelation of the Ten Commandments and the building of the tabernacle. Aaron was the first high priest, succeeded by his sons, and from then on, the names of all high priests serving in the tabernacle and later in the temple were carefully recorded and preserved. Hebrews 7 refers to Psalm 110:4.

  • “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

When the writer of Hebrews said Melchizedek was without father, mother, or genealogy,

  • it meant there was no written record of his origins, unlike the documented lineage of the sons of Levi from Aaron, who served in the tabernacle.

Hebrews compares the ministries of Christ and Melchizedek.

  • Melchizedek appeared without a recorded past and was both king and priest,
  • Christ also belonged to that same priestly order, having no earthly father and not coming from the tribe of Levi, from which the sons of Aaron descended.
    • All priests came from the tribe of Levi, but Christ was from the tribe of Judah.
    • Being from Judah connected Him to the lineage of David and gave Him the rights of royalty, yet it also meant He was not from the priestly line.
  • The writer of Hebrews emphasized this uniqueness:
    • Christ was the High Priest from the tribe of Judah.
      • Christ is both a priest and a King.
    • Melchizedek was a king-priest.

Now here is a simple yet complicated theological question:

If Melchizedek was a pre-incarnation of Jesus Christ, then how could he be after the order of what he already was?

  • This would make him an order of himself.
  • Secondly, this would imply that Christ lived in the flesh more than 1,800 years before He became flesh, meaning that He became flesh twice.
    • This would justify the heretical teaching of reincarnation that is part of the Hindu religion.

I believe there is a simple yet very interesting possibility as to who this mysterious first king and priest of Jerusalem was. The story begins with Noah.

Remember that Noah had 3 sons.
The three sons of Noah Shem, Ham, and Japheth would eventually settle in different parts of the world and begin repopulating the earth. The book of Genesis lists the names of the descendants of Noah’s sons, and researchers identify the early nations with the parts of the earth.

  • Ham’s descendants settled in the area of northern Africa.
  • Japheth’s descendants settled in Russia and northern Europe
  • Shem’s descendants chose Arabia, Palestine, and Syria.

Of the three sons of Noah, there is one through whom the lineage of the Messiah came – the lineage of Shem. Noah gave a powerful prophecy to Shem in Genesis 9:26:

  • “And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”

Noah continues this prophecy in Genesis 9:27:

  • “God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”

This prophecy is very revealing.

  • Noah mentions Canaan, the fourth son of Ham, twice.
    • Canaan became the father of the Canaanites, who are mentioned throughout the Old Testament.
      • The many tribes living in Israel during the time of Joshua and the judges were descendants of Canaan.
    • Since Canaan would serve Shem, it seems that Shem or his descendants would rule over Canaan.
      • Noah also refers to the tents of Shem, meaning the children of Shem dwelling near Canaan.
      • It’s possible that Shem himself settled in the land of Canaan, known today as Israel.
    • The Hebrew people descended from Shem’s lineage through his great-grandson Eber (see Gen. 10:21-24).
      • Terah, Abraham’s father, was also from Shem’s line, making him part of the She tribal identity. Abraham’s descendants were called Hebrews, from the word “Ibriy,” meaning “an Eberite,” referring to their descent from Eber in Shem’s lineage.

The Shem Connection
For centuries, Jewish sages have believed that the Melchizedek mentioned in Scripture was actually Shem, the righteous son of Noah who settled in Canaan, particularly in a place called Salem, later known as Jerusalem.

  • Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

This view is reflected in the book of Jasher, which says that Shem and Eber lived in Jerusalem and ran a special teaching academy there. According to Jasher, several patriarchs sent their sons to this academy for spiritual instruction.

  • Jasher XVI, 11 “And Anonizedek, king of Jerusalem, who was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech”.

The book also says Shem and Eber were present at Sarah’s burial:

  • Jasher XXIV, 14-15 “And Abraham buried Sarah with pomp… And at the bier was Shem, his son Eber…”.

After Sarah’s death, it adds:

  • Jasher XXIV, 17 “When the days of mourning had passed, Abraham sent his son Isaac to the house of Shem and Eber to learn the ways of the Lord and His instructions, and he remained there three years”.

The first argument that arises when we teach that Melchizedek was actually Shem, to whom the lineage of the Hebrews came and the Messiah was promised, is this:

  • Wouldn’t Shem have already died before the time of Abraham and Isaac?

The answer is no.

  • Shem was about one hundred years old when the flood came and covered the earth (compare Gen. 5:32 and Gen. 7:6).
    • Two years after the flood, Shem’s son Arphaxad was born (see Gen. 11:10).
    • Shem was 102 years old at that time.
  • Eber, his great-grandson, was born when Shem was about 173 years old.
  • If we move forward to the time of Abraham and Isaac:
    • Shem died when he was six hundred years of age (see Gen. 11:10-11).
    • According to the chronology of scholars:
      • Abraham lived to the year 2121 BC
      • Shem lived until 2156 BC.

Therefore, Shem was still living in the time of Abraham and into the time of Isaac.

At the time of Shem, Jerusalem (called Salem) was separated into two divisions: the lower slope and the upper slope.

  • The lower slope
    • The lower slope included the eastern slope of the area known as the Temple Mount.
      • The east was called Salem (or in Hebrew Shalem)
  • The upper city (or western area) included the Temple Mount and part of the area where the future altar of the temple would sit.
    • The west was called Yirah (a name given by Abraham in Gen. 22:14).
  • The two names joined together to form the name Jerusalem.

The early city became large enough to be governed by Shem, who was given the title Melchizedek. Under Melchizedek, both slopes of the city were joined together.

When Abraham met Melchizedek, this king-priest was controlling the lower section of the city identified in Scripture as the “king’s dale” (see Gen. 14:17). Today this area is called the Kidron Valley, which runs below the Eastern Gate toward the village of Silwan.
Seeing that Shem would rule over Canaan and that the Hebrews were identified with Shem’s great-grandson Eber (don’t forget that Shem was still living in the time of Abraham and that from his lineage came the Messiah), Melchizedek could have been Shem.

The book of Hebrews emphasizes that Melchizedek was both a king and a priest; he is a picture of the ministry of Christ.

  • Jesus is presently the High Priest of the profession of our faith.
    • Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
    • Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
  • He will return to earth in the future to be proclaimed the King of kings.
    • Psalms 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
    • Hebrews 7:1-3
      • For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
      • To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
      • Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

The writer of Hebrews compares Christ to Melchizedek but never says He was Melchizedek.
Since Melchizedek was a king-priest and Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek (king-priest), then all believers are a part of the same priesthood.

  • We are presently priests unto God offering sacrifices of praise and financial gifts to Christ who receives them in heaven.
    • Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
  • In the future, we will rule and reign with Christ on earth as kings:
    • Revelation 1:6 “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be
      glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
  • As priests we have spiritual authority to approach God in heaven. As kings we will be given spiritual dominion on the earth during the thousand-year reign of Christ. This is why it is important to understand that Christ is after the order of Melchizedek.

Category:

bible, Bible Study, General Bible Study, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Understanding Apologetics: A Defense of Christian Faith

Apologetics is the study and practice of giving answers for the reasonableness and truth of the Christian faith.

  • Apologetics comes from the Greek apologia
    • means “to give a defense.”
      • it refers to a verbal defense or a reasoned statement or argument.
  • Apologetics is the branch of theology which deals with giving a defense of the Christian faith.

In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are commanded to give an apologia to anyone who asks the reason for our hope.

  • 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

In a world where God’s Word often faces criticism both inside and outside the church, we should be ready to share the hope we have. Christianity is grounded in real history—actual people and events that truly happened. While we can counter arguments and explain the reasons for our faith, if we don’t point others to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ, we haven’t really defended the faith. Scripture reminds us to do this with meekness and fear, meaning we’re not here just to win arguments. Too often, Christian apologists can come across as loud, unkind, or prideful. We should proclaim the truth boldly, yet with self-control and the mindset of a messenger delivering the King’s message. We also act with reverent fear, knowing it’s only by God’s grace that we’ve been made ambassadors for Him, and that without the Holy Spirit’s work, our efforts alone can’t bring anyone to salvation. Above all, we must be careful not to misrepresent God by misusing the truth He’s entrusted to us.

These days, many Christians lack the discipline and discernment to defend their faith against “the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). Over time, the church has become less effective at reaching those who are lost. While there are several reasons for this, a major one is that many believers have trouble explaining or defending their beliefs. As a result, Christianity is often viewed as a “blind faith,” and its followers are seen as uninformed or easily influenced.

Christianity isn’t a “blind faith” but is rooted in the God and His perfect, revealed Word. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” So how can faith involve “evidence”? Because it’s anchored in real history—genuine people and events. While evidence can’t definitively prove the Bible’s truth, it can demonstrate that it supports Scripture. Viewed through the lens of God’s Word instead of human opinion, the evidence fits seamlessly with the Bible.

Throughout the New Testament the Early Leaders of the Church practiced apologetics. The authors of Scripture accurately recorded historical events, including the miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Crucifixion and Resurrection.

  • Peter:
    • Wrote about the early followers of Christ:
      • 2 Peter 1:16 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty”.
      • The Apostle Peter also instructed his readers to
        • “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
  • Jude
    • Informed his readers about the importance of earnestly contending “for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
  • Paul
    • Practiced apologetics as he regularly went first to a town’s synagogue and “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead” (Acts 17:2, 18:4, emphasis added).
    • Paul reasoning with the religious leaders of the day does not sound like the actions of a man who had a blind faith.
    • Knew his faith was defensible.
      • He had encountered Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–8)
      • He told the Corinthians that over 500 people had witnessed the resurrected Savior at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6).

For information on where in history the various event wrote about in the Bible took place, please visit Key Events in Ancient History: A Comprehensive Timeline.

For more information read: The Importance of Knowing Your Christian Faith

Category:

Apologetics, bible, Bible Study, Christian Living, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Key Judges Before Israelite Kings: A Historical List

Israel had many judges before they got a king. God would raise up a judge to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors. Here is a list of the first 12 judges of Isreal.

JudgeScripture ReferenceOppressorYears in bondageYears of Peace
OthnielJudges 3:7-11The king of Mesopotamia8 Years40 years of rest
EhudJudges 3:12-30Eglon, king of Moab18 Years 80 Years of rest
ShamgarJudges 3:31The Philistines? Doesn’t say? Doesn’t say
Deborah and BarakJudges 4:1-5:31Jabin, king of Canaan20 years40 years of rest
GideonJudges 6:1-8:35The Midianites7 years40 years of rest
TolaJudges 10:1-2? not listed? Doesn’t say23 years that he judged
JairJudges 10:3-5? not listed ? Doesn’t say22 years that he judged
JephthahJudges 10:6-12:7The Ammonites18 years 6 years
IbzanJudges 12:8-10? not listed ? Doesn’t say7 years
ElonJudges 12:11-12? not listed ? Doesn’t say10 years
AbdonJudges 12:13-15? not listed ? Doesn’t say8 years
Samson13:1-16:31The Philistines40 Years20 years

For more information on the Judges read Understanding the Judges of Israel: A Deep Dive

Category:

bible, Bible Study, General Bible Study, People of the Bible, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Los siete tiempos señalados por Dios

Dios tiene un plan. «A este, entregado conforme al plan determinado y la presciencia de Dios, vosotros lo prendisteis, y por manos de inicuos lo crucificasteis y matasteis» (Hechos 2:23).

Él ha revelado el plan. «Dios, que en tiempos pasados ​​habló a nuestros antepasados ​​por medio de los profetas en diversas ocasiones y de diversas maneras, en estos últimos días nos ha hablado por medio de su Hijo, a quien constituyó heredero de todo, y por medio de quien también creó el universo» (Hebreos 1:1-2).

Ahora está completando el plan. «Y oí una gran voz del cielo que decía: “He aquí el tabernáculo de Dios está con los hombres, y él morará con ellos; y ellos serán su pueblo, y Dios mismo estará con ellos y será su Dios. Y Dios enjugará toda lágrima de los ojos de ellos; y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor; porque las primeras cosas pasaron”. Y el que estaba sentado en el trono dijo: “He aquí, yo hago nuevas todas las cosas”. Y me dijo: “Escribe; porque estas palabras son fieles y verdaderas”. Y me dijo: “Hecho está. Yo soy el Alfa y la Omega, el principio y el fin. Al que tenga sed, yo le daré gratuitamente de la fuente del agua de la vida. El que venza heredará todas las cosas, y yo seré su Dios, y él será mi hijo”» (Apocalipsis 21:3-7).

Dios dio su plan general a los israelitas en forma de sus siete fiestas solemnes. «Habla a los hijos de Israel y diles: Estas son las fiestas solemnes del Señor, las cuales proclamaréis como santas convocaciones: estas son mis fiestas» (Levítico 23:2). Estas siete fiestas señalan acontecimientos que ya han sucedido y otros que (en el momento en que se dieron las fiestas) aún estaban por suceder.

 

Para obtener más información sobre las fiestas de Dios.

Otros días importantes

  •  

  •  

 

Category:

Estudio de la Biblia,, Feasts of God, Fiestas del Señor

Tagged with:

The Importance of Keeping Vows in the Bible

THE LAW OF MAKING A VOW

Moses establishes the lawn of making a vow. The Bible clearly states that a vow is a very serious thing and is not be taken lightly.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4-6  
    • When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
    • Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

In the Bible, a vow is a promise made to God. The first mention of a vow is about Jacob, who dreamed of a ladder reaching from heaven to earth, with angels going up and down on it. He took this as a sign of God’s favor on the place where he slept and named it “Bethel,” meaning “House of God.” Jacob also vowed that if the Lord blessed him, he would return a tenth (tithe) back to God (Genesis 28:10-22).

The Vow: Neder or Issar?

There are two types of Hebrew vows. One is called a neder and the other issar.

  • The neder vow is when a man vows a vow unto God.
    • We would say that tithing is a neder vow
  • The issar vow is when a man swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond
    • marriage between a man and a woman is an issar vow

Nazarite Vow
One of the strongest vows in the Bible was the Nazarite vow. A Nazarite vow could be a voluntary vow
commanded vow. For example, two men in the Bible were to be Nazarites from their mother’s womb-Samson and Samuel (see Judg. 13-1-7; 1 Sam. 1:11). According to Numbers 6, a Nazarite vow consisted of three parts:

  1. A Nazarite was never to drink wine or strong drink.
    • Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.
  2. A Nazarite was never to use a razor to shave his hair.
    • Numbers 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
  3. A Nazarite was never to touch a dead body, human or animal.
    • Numbers 6:6 All the days that he separateth himself unto the Lord he shall come at no dead body.

Samson is a prime example of someone who broke a Nazarite vow.

  • He attended a seven-day feast (believed to be a wedding feast) where no doubt people were drinking wine. Yet he arose and accomplished a great feat through the anointing of the Spirit (see Judg. 14-10-20).
  • He had touched the carcass of a lion (see Judg. 14.8-9) and the jawbone of a donkey (see Judg. 15:15-17).
    • Touching a dead body was forbidden in the vow, yet the Spirit of God touched him again.
  • Finally, he rested in Delilah’s lap and under pressure revealed the final aspect of his vow to God (never to shave his hair).
    • Delilah subsequently cut his hair, breaking the third part of the vow (see Judg. 16:1-19)
    • When Samson awoke, he assumed the Lord would continue to anoint him; however, the Spirit departed from him (see Judg. 16:20
      • God had extended His mercy through two acts of vow breaking, but when the third and final commandment of the vow was broken, God was no longer obligated to anoint Samson.

Foolish Vows

  • The most foolish vow in the Old Testament
    • The vow took place when a judge named Jephthah vowed that if God would help him defeat the descendants of Ammon in battle, the first thing to come out of his house following the conflict would become a burnt offering unto the Lord.
      • Judges 11:30-31
        • And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
        • Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
    • After a great victory, Jephthah returned home and his only child, a daughter, met him. She was dancing with a tambourine because of her father’s victory.
    • Then the judge remembered his foolish vow. Jephthah knew the power of the vow.
      • He said, “I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back” (Judg. 11:35).
    • The reason this vow was so serious is that he made a neder vow to God.
  • The most foolish vow in the New Testament
    • This vow took place when a renegade band of forty men with a hateful agenda bound themselves with an oath” that they would not eat or drink until they killed the apostle Paul (Acts 23:21
    • The conspiracy was exposed, and Paul was secretly escorted out of the city (see Acts 23:20-35).
      • Did these forty men eventually starve to death? Probably not. When they realized that Paul was in safe hands, away from their reach, they went back to eating and drinking. Their death vow was made in the heat of the moment.
      • This vow is an issar vow made to men, which is not bound by the Holy Spirit, can be repented of.

All Vows are serious and should never be treated lightly.
Many people make vows to God in times of trouble.

  • For examples:
    • when a child is ill or in an accident, parents may tell God, “let my child live and I will serve you and and attend church.
    • Others my have a companion dying and will cry out, “heal my companion. I can’t live without this person. If you do, I will follow you!”
    • Some end up in prison and will say, “Get me out and I will minister to others.”
    • A businessman about to go bankrupt may promise God, “if you will save and prosper my business, I will tithe and support your work.
  • Sometimes the child recovers, the loved one is healed, the prisoner is released, and the business is saved, but within a few months, the people forget the vow that they had made to the Lord.
  • People do not realize that the Holy Spirit takes the promises they make very seriously.
    • Your promises are not mere words but are equal to a sacrifice laid on the altar for transgression under the Old Covenant.

Category:

bible, Bible Study, Christian Living, General Bible Study, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with: