Category: Old Testament

In responding to this question, I am giving my understanding on this difficult question. My viewpoint doesn’t represent other Christians, church or denomination whether Ishmael is the father of the Israelites. From a cultural viewpoint, Ishmael is the firstborn of Abraham. Hagar was elevated from concubine to one of the wives of Abraham. If Hagar … Read More “Was Ishmael the father of Israelites?” »

Thank you for the question on the authorship of the Ten Commandments. Modern scholars attribute the Torah to different authors as the JEDP Theory. For one’s consideration that the author is God who verbalized the Ten Commandments and Moses wrote the words down in the Book of the Covenant. A. The Ten Commandments were first … Read More “Who wrote the Ten Commandments for the first time?” »

Thank you for the question, “If Abraham believed that God expected him to sacrifice Isaac, why did Abraham tell Isaac “The Lord will provide”? If Abraham knew how it would turn out, how was it a test of his faith?” As one reads Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice him on the mountain that he … Read More “If Abraham believed that God expected him to sacrifice Isaac, why did Abraham tell Isaac “The Lord will provide”? If Abraham knew how it would turn out, how was it a test of his faith?” »

Thank you for the question on “smiting.” The term, smiting, used in the KJV refers to the destruction of life as in killing in warfare. Rarely in our modern English that term is used. The Scriptures records that God intervened into human history in aiding his people. As a Christian, I believe God does care … Read More “What does smiting refer to in the Old Testament? Did God hit people with lightning bolts?” »

Thank you for your question. For one’s consideration, there are some Biblical implications on the state of Enoch and Elijah: A. Prior to the resurrection of Jesus, Jesus stated that flesh and blood can’t inherit the kingdom of God. Thus the physical body could not be in the presence of God. B. Prior to the … Read More “There is no way to prove that Enoch and Elijah died, so given the scripture verses that refer to them, we assume they were translated. Should I disregard the Amsterdam apparitions and assume that Mary was not assumed to Heaven?” »

Thank you for the question on the character of God, “How come God repented (Exodus 32:14 KJV) if he doesn’t repent (Numbers 23:19 KJV)?” As one reads any literature, including the Scriptures, the meaning of a word and the context will aid in understanding a particular word choice. The KJV uses the term, repented while the … Read More “How come God repented (Exodus 32:14 KJV) if he doesn’t repent (Numbers 23:19 KJV)?” »

Thank you for the question, “Why was Samson called a Nazarene?” Samson was a Nazirite, not a Nazarene. The difference is that a Nazirite is a certain procedure that an Israelite follows as a vow or service to God while a Nazarene is a city of whom a person is born in or associate with. Judges … Read More “Why was Samson called a Nazarene?” »

Thank you for the question on the relationship between God and Moses, “And in Exodus we learn that “the Lord would speak to Moses, face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). God also said of Moses, “I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:17). How did God … Read More “And in Exodus we learn that “the Lord would speak to Moses, face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). God also said of Moses, “I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:17). How did God and Moses get so close?” »