Category: Old Testament

Thank you for the question on the burial of Moses, “And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the Valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is” (Deut 34:5-6). Why is there so much mystery … Read More ““And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the Valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is” (Deut 34:5-6). Why is there so much mystery surrounding his burial?” »

Thank you for the biblical question on Numbers 11, “Why did God get mad and send a plague to the Israelites for eating the quail that He gave to them (Numbers 11:33)? As one reads the Book of Numbers, there is a recurrent reaction by the Israelites in the Wilderness. That recurrent reaction was grumbling and … Read More “Why did God get mad and send a plague to the Israelites for eating the quail that He gave to them (Numbers 11:33)?” »

Thank you for the biblical question, “What is the significance of the sheep gate found in Nehemiah 3:1, 3:32, and John 5:2?” In Nehemiah 3, Governor Nehemiah records the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls and the Gates. He lists nine gates: The Sheep Gate (3:1) , The Fish Gate (3:3), The Jeshanah Gate (3:6), The Valley … Read More “What is the significance of the sheep gate found in Nehemiah 3:1, 3:32, and John 5:2?” »

Thank you for the Biblical question, “In Isaiah 5:2, what is the function of the tower, and how is it prophetically significant? And might it be related to Isaiah5:8?” Isaiah the Prophet uses the analogy of a piece of land which the owner possessed and cleared the land of rocks to plant a vineyard. The owner … Read More “In Isaiah 5:2, what is the function of the tower, and how is it prophetically significant? And might it be related to Isaiah5:8?” »

Thank you for the interpretative question on Proverbs 16:20, “Why does the Bible teach us that the origin of prosperity is instruction, as in Proverbs 16:20?” As one reads the broader context of Proverbs 16:20, the text says this, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be lowly in spirit along … Read More “Why does the Bible teach us that the origin of prosperity is instruction, as in Proverbs 16:20?” »

Thank you for the interpretation question, “Since necromancy was forbidden in ancient Israel, how can The Witch of Endor, found in 1 Samuel 28, be explained?” Your observation that witchcraft which includes consulting of a dead person is forbidden in the Torah (Exodus 22:18 and Leviticus 19:26). Leviticus 19 says this in the NIV, “‘Do not turn … Read More “Since necromancy was forbidden in ancient Israel, how can The Witch of Endor, found in 1 Samuel 28, be explained?” »

Thank you for the question on biblical relationships, “Why was Esau closer to Ishmael than his brother Jacob?” The Scripture is silent between the relationship of Esau and Ishmael. It is possible that both Esau and Ishmael could have been closer but one has to remember that there is a one generation difference between them. Ishmael … Read More “Why was Esau closer to Ishmael than his brother Jacob?” »

Thank you for the interpretative question on the Garden of Eden, “According to Genesis 2:8,God planted a garden Eastward in Eden. That means the garden was not called Eden but Eden was the land in which the garden was planted, which is this land or continent referred to as Eden?” The observation that you made … Read More “According to Genesis 2:8,God planted a garden Eastward in Eden. That means the garden was not called Eden but Eden was the land in which the garden was planted, which is this land or continent referred to as Eden?” »

Thank you for the interpretative question on the Israelites and Moses, “Did the ancient Israelites trust Moses completely as their leader sent from God or did they trust God’s wisdom and leadership in sending Moses?” As one reads Exodus and Numbers, the Israelites did not trust Moses or God’s presence or provision for them. That … Read More “Did the ancient Israelites trust Moses completely as their leader sent from God or did they trust God’s wisdom and leadership in sending Moses?” »