827. Jesus took no public stand against slavery, racism, class warfare, state-sponsored terrorism, military occupation, or corruption in government in the Gospels. He spoke not a word against abortion or infanticide, homosexuality or the exploitation of women and children. Of all the social evils of His day, Jesus spoke out against the pharisees and their spiritual corruption.
828. One sacrifice that only the women gave to the Lord was offered after the birth of a child: "When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering" (Lev. 12:6).
829. Jewish women were perhaps less active in temple or synagogue worship than later in history. Although there was a special area at the temple known as the "court of women," women were not allowed to go into the inner court. Sources other than the Bible indicate that women did not read the Torah or recite prayers in the synagogue, but they could sit and listen in the special women's area.
830. A different picture unfolds in the early Christian church. Luke 8:1-3 indicates that Jesus welcomed some women as traveling companions. He encouraged Martha and Mary to sit at His feet as disciples.
831. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, several women met with the other disciples in the upper room to pray. Both men and women gathered at the home of John Mark's mother to pray for the release of Peter; and both men and women prayed regularly in the church at Corinth (which is why Paul gave instructions to both men and women about how to pray in public).
Friday, November 6, 2015
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Culture Shock between the Ages ll
821. In the East the custom of arranged marriages goes back to early Old Testament times. When Esau married against his parents' wishes, he caused Isaac and Rebekah grief. Why did parents insist on their right to select a bride for their son? The new bride became a member of the bridegroom's clan, and the whole family had a vested interest in knowing if she would be a good fit. There is evidence that sometimes the son or daughter was consulted, as in Rebekah's case when she was asked if she was willing to go and become the wife of Isaac (Gen. 24:58).
822. What's love got to do with it? Eastern peoples consider love between husband and wife very much like westerners do between brother and sister. It is believed that husbands and wives should love one another because God chose them for each other through the selection of their parents. Love comes after marriage. There are some exceptions to the rule. The case of Jacob and Rachel is the most notable example. For Jacob it was love at first sight (Gen. 29:10-18).
823. For centuries it has been possible for a husband in Arab lands to divorce his wife by a spoken word. When the wife is divorced, she is entitled to all her wearing apparel, and the husband cannot take anything from her that she has on her body. For this reason, coins on the headgear, rings, and necklaces became an important source of wealth in time of a woman's need. Such customs of divorce were no doubt prevalent in Gentile lands during Old Testament times. A woman was not allowed to divorce her husband.
824. A husband must give a written certificate of divorce (Deut. 24:1) to his wife in order to divorce her. This is so that she may remarry. The prophet Malachi taught that God hated divorce and severely condemned any man who dealt treacherously with the wife of his covenant (Mal. 2:14-16).
825. The sin of adultery did not have anything to do with divorce under the Jewish law. Adultery was punishable by death or stoning (Lev. 20:10). A man who was guilty of unfaithfulness was considered a criminal only in that he had invaded the rights of another man. Jesus swept away all grounds for divorce under the law, and made unfaithfulness the lone grounds for divorce for New Testament Christians (Matt. 5:31-32).
826. Prostitutes often appear in the stories of the Bible. There were two kinds of prostitutes in the Hebrew Scriptures. There were "cultic prostitutes" of the Canaanite religion, but Rahab, the prostitute in Jericho, was a zonah, which is Hebrew for a common prostitute. Rahab was the prostitute who hid Israelite spies and later dangled a red cord out her window to mark her house for protection during the conquest of Jericho. New Testament genealogy in Matthew lists Rahab as the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth and is an ancestor of David, as well as Jesus.
822. What's love got to do with it? Eastern peoples consider love between husband and wife very much like westerners do between brother and sister. It is believed that husbands and wives should love one another because God chose them for each other through the selection of their parents. Love comes after marriage. There are some exceptions to the rule. The case of Jacob and Rachel is the most notable example. For Jacob it was love at first sight (Gen. 29:10-18).
823. For centuries it has been possible for a husband in Arab lands to divorce his wife by a spoken word. When the wife is divorced, she is entitled to all her wearing apparel, and the husband cannot take anything from her that she has on her body. For this reason, coins on the headgear, rings, and necklaces became an important source of wealth in time of a woman's need. Such customs of divorce were no doubt prevalent in Gentile lands during Old Testament times. A woman was not allowed to divorce her husband.
824. A husband must give a written certificate of divorce (Deut. 24:1) to his wife in order to divorce her. This is so that she may remarry. The prophet Malachi taught that God hated divorce and severely condemned any man who dealt treacherously with the wife of his covenant (Mal. 2:14-16).
825. The sin of adultery did not have anything to do with divorce under the Jewish law. Adultery was punishable by death or stoning (Lev. 20:10). A man who was guilty of unfaithfulness was considered a criminal only in that he had invaded the rights of another man. Jesus swept away all grounds for divorce under the law, and made unfaithfulness the lone grounds for divorce for New Testament Christians (Matt. 5:31-32).
826. Prostitutes often appear in the stories of the Bible. There were two kinds of prostitutes in the Hebrew Scriptures. There were "cultic prostitutes" of the Canaanite religion, but Rahab, the prostitute in Jericho, was a zonah, which is Hebrew for a common prostitute. Rahab was the prostitute who hid Israelite spies and later dangled a red cord out her window to mark her house for protection during the conquest of Jericho. New Testament genealogy in Matthew lists Rahab as the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth and is an ancestor of David, as well as Jesus.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Culture Shock between the Ages l
815. The Bible speaks about miracles without making apology or even changing its tone. In other words, it doesn't anticipate skepticism. It considers the whole creation rather miraculous. Its writers show the same awe for a sunrise as for a day when the sun stands still.
816. Male-female relationships in the Bible do-compared to our present-day standards-put women in a subordinate position to men. But when the Bible is compared to the standards of the day in which it was written, it continually gave women a better place in life than that culture allowed them.
817. A modern atheist says that he or she doesn't believe ion God-not gods. Antiquity knew no such atheists. Everyone and every nation had a god of their own, and usually more than one. The proclamation of monotheism must have sounded very strange to the surrounding cultures of that time.
818. The issue of intermarriage is still a divisive and emotional question among contemporary Jews because it defines who is a Jew. According to Jewish law, a Jew is one who is born to a Jewish mother or is converted to Judaism.
819. The Mosaic law allowed polygamy (more than one wife) among the Hebrew people. Wives were given certain protections against abuses and there were various regulations regarding these marriages. There was among the Israelites, however, a marked tendency toward monogamy (only one wife). The main reason may have been that the custom of having more than one wife was too expensive people.
820. The Mosaic law did forbid multiple wives for the kings of Israel with the warning that the king's heart would be led astray (Deut. 17:17). The cause of much trouble in the lives of David and Solomon, as well as Ahab, was that they followed the example of the kings in their day of taking many heathen wives, (sometimes many concubines) rather than obeying God's law. Men like Adam, Noah, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, and Job had only one wife.
816. Male-female relationships in the Bible do-compared to our present-day standards-put women in a subordinate position to men. But when the Bible is compared to the standards of the day in which it was written, it continually gave women a better place in life than that culture allowed them.
817. A modern atheist says that he or she doesn't believe ion God-not gods. Antiquity knew no such atheists. Everyone and every nation had a god of their own, and usually more than one. The proclamation of monotheism must have sounded very strange to the surrounding cultures of that time.
818. The issue of intermarriage is still a divisive and emotional question among contemporary Jews because it defines who is a Jew. According to Jewish law, a Jew is one who is born to a Jewish mother or is converted to Judaism.
819. The Mosaic law allowed polygamy (more than one wife) among the Hebrew people. Wives were given certain protections against abuses and there were various regulations regarding these marriages. There was among the Israelites, however, a marked tendency toward monogamy (only one wife). The main reason may have been that the custom of having more than one wife was too expensive people.
820. The Mosaic law did forbid multiple wives for the kings of Israel with the warning that the king's heart would be led astray (Deut. 17:17). The cause of much trouble in the lives of David and Solomon, as well as Ahab, was that they followed the example of the kings in their day of taking many heathen wives, (sometimes many concubines) rather than obeying God's law. Men like Adam, Noah, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, and Job had only one wife.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Sickness and Death ll
810. Relatives and friends continued their laments from the time the death wail was heard until the burial. The prophet Micah compared it to the cry of wild beasts or birds. During these lamentations, loved ones exclaimed their sorrow, repeating words over and over as David did when he mourned the death of Absalom: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you-O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Sam. 18:33).
811. Professional mourners, who were called in at the time of sorrow to express mourning for the dead, are mentioned by the Hebrew prophets: "Call for the mourning women, that they may come;...And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us (Jer. 9:17-18 KJV). Professional wailers were hired like singers would be for a Western funeral.
812. Sackcloth was worn, and they often tore their garments in order to let people know the depth of their grief (2 Sam. 3:31). Even today mourners will cry freely and beat their breasts to express sorrow. It is interesting to note, however, that priests were not allowed to rip their clothes even to mourn a parent's death.
813. Burial follows death quickly, usually the same day. The people of these regions have a primitive idea that the spirit of the one who dies hovers near the body for three days after death. Mourners believe this spirit is able to hear the wailing calls of grief. Martha, no doubt, thought it would be hopeless to think of reviving her brother's body, because he had been dead four days (John 11:39).
814. Three classes of Arabs are found in Palestine. The nomad or Bedouin Arabs are shepherds who live in tents. The peasant or Fellahin Arabs are farmers and usually live in villages in one-room houses. City or Belladin Arabs do business in the larger cities. The Belladin Arabs have come in contact with Western civilization and their manners and customs have undergone many changes. The peasant farmers. however, have changed customs very little and the Bedouins have adopted almost no changes.
811. Professional mourners, who were called in at the time of sorrow to express mourning for the dead, are mentioned by the Hebrew prophets: "Call for the mourning women, that they may come;...And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us (Jer. 9:17-18 KJV). Professional wailers were hired like singers would be for a Western funeral.
812. Sackcloth was worn, and they often tore their garments in order to let people know the depth of their grief (2 Sam. 3:31). Even today mourners will cry freely and beat their breasts to express sorrow. It is interesting to note, however, that priests were not allowed to rip their clothes even to mourn a parent's death.
813. Burial follows death quickly, usually the same day. The people of these regions have a primitive idea that the spirit of the one who dies hovers near the body for three days after death. Mourners believe this spirit is able to hear the wailing calls of grief. Martha, no doubt, thought it would be hopeless to think of reviving her brother's body, because he had been dead four days (John 11:39).
814. Three classes of Arabs are found in Palestine. The nomad or Bedouin Arabs are shepherds who live in tents. The peasant or Fellahin Arabs are farmers and usually live in villages in one-room houses. City or Belladin Arabs do business in the larger cities. The Belladin Arabs have come in contact with Western civilization and their manners and customs have undergone many changes. The peasant farmers. however, have changed customs very little and the Bedouins have adopted almost no changes.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Sickness and Death l
805. Sickness could be expected when God's Law was disobeyed, according to the law. The twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy lists many curses that would come upon the children of Israel because of disobedience. Therefore the Israelites would grow up believing that health was a reward for obedience and sickness came as punishment. The ancient Hebrews did not go to physicians when they were ill. There are surprisingly few references to doctors in the Old Testament times, and it's possible that those mentioned were foreigners (2 Chron. 16:12; Job 13:4; Jer. 8:22).
806. Multitudes of sick people in the land are described in the New Testament Gospel records. Many were brought to Jesus to be healed.
807. The Jews of the New Testament lacked knowledge of medicine, so they would seek help from the most pious man for healing power, rather than the most educated. They believed sickness was punishment for the sin of the sick person or a relative. Concerning the blind man, the disciples asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2).
808. Mark adds an interesting fact in his account of Christ healing the woman with an issue of blood. He says that she "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had" (Mark 5:26). One scholar of the Talmud of Babylon suggests that some of the rabbis posed as physicians and some prescribed very queer remedies for a woman with this type of ailment. If one procedure didn't succeed, another one was suggested.
809. As soon as a death took place, a wail was raised to announce to all the neighborhood what had happened. This was a sign for the relatives to begin their grieving. The death wail is described as a sharp, shrill, ear-piercing shriek. This shriek is followed by prolonged wails. This death wail was referred to in connection with the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. "Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead" (Exod. 12:30).
806. Multitudes of sick people in the land are described in the New Testament Gospel records. Many were brought to Jesus to be healed.
807. The Jews of the New Testament lacked knowledge of medicine, so they would seek help from the most pious man for healing power, rather than the most educated. They believed sickness was punishment for the sin of the sick person or a relative. Concerning the blind man, the disciples asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2).
808. Mark adds an interesting fact in his account of Christ healing the woman with an issue of blood. He says that she "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had" (Mark 5:26). One scholar of the Talmud of Babylon suggests that some of the rabbis posed as physicians and some prescribed very queer remedies for a woman with this type of ailment. If one procedure didn't succeed, another one was suggested.
809. As soon as a death took place, a wail was raised to announce to all the neighborhood what had happened. This was a sign for the relatives to begin their grieving. The death wail is described as a sharp, shrill, ear-piercing shriek. This shriek is followed by prolonged wails. This death wail was referred to in connection with the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. "Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead" (Exod. 12:30).
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Food V
801. Meals were eaten on a mat spread on the ground (like a picnic blanket), or at a low table when the diners were commoners. The Hebrew word pronounced "Shool-khawn," usually translated "table," has as its root meaning "a skin or leather mat spread on the ground." While eating, people would sit on the floor with their legs folded under them or in the position of kneeling.
802. A blessing was said by each person after the master of the house said it, such as "In the name of God," or "God be praised." Only after all had said the blessing did they begin to eat by dipping or scooping with their bread in a common serving bowl. The only dishes used were those in which the food was placed on the table; there were no individual dishes for those dining. Gideon put the meat in a basket, and the broth in a pot (Judg. 6:19). Meat was generally eaten with the fingers.
803. A prayer of thanks was said at the end of the meal. Deuteronomy 8:10 states: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you." It was customary for one of the guests to give the thanks in a loud voice, and for the rest to say, "Amen."
804. The Hebrew families looked to the promise God originally gave to them about health for their bodies throughout their wilderness experiences and after they were in the Promised Land. "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you" (Exod. 15:26). Health was promised if they were obedient to the Law of God.
802. A blessing was said by each person after the master of the house said it, such as "In the name of God," or "God be praised." Only after all had said the blessing did they begin to eat by dipping or scooping with their bread in a common serving bowl. The only dishes used were those in which the food was placed on the table; there were no individual dishes for those dining. Gideon put the meat in a basket, and the broth in a pot (Judg. 6:19). Meat was generally eaten with the fingers.
803. A prayer of thanks was said at the end of the meal. Deuteronomy 8:10 states: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you." It was customary for one of the guests to give the thanks in a loud voice, and for the rest to say, "Amen."
804. The Hebrew families looked to the promise God originally gave to them about health for their bodies throughout their wilderness experiences and after they were in the Promised Land. "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you" (Exod. 15:26). Health was promised if they were obedient to the Law of God.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Food lV
795. Nuts also count as a protein source, and though meat was rare, nuts weren't. Almonds and pistachios are mentioned in Genesis 43:11.
796. Numerous references to honey and honeycomb in God's Word are proof that the Holy Land abounded with the sweet stuff. Many Scriptural citations indicate that wild honey was very common, being found in cavities of trees, such as when Jonathan discovered and ate some honey (1 Sam. 14:25-27). It is also mentioned as being found in the holes of rock, where it was often extracted (Ps. 81:16), and even in the dried carcasses of animals, as when Samson ate honey from the carcass of the lion (Judg. 14:8-9).
797. Honey is used in the poetic books of the Hebrew Bible to make many comparisons. The judgments of God are compared to it (Ps. 19:10). Pleasant words are likened to it (Prov. 16:24), as are knowledge and wisdom to the soul (Prov. 24:13-14). And the bride and bridegroom of Solomon's Song speak of honey (Song of Sol. 4:11; 5:1).
798. Seasoning most often refers to salt (Job 6:6). However, other types of spice, such as dill ("anise" in the KJV), mint, cumin, and coriander are also mentioned.
799. What is "kosher"? Many people, Jew and Gentile alike, commonly ask if something is kosher, loosely using the term to mean "permissible" or "okay." Kosher is a Yiddish word for "proper" that derives from the Hebrew word Kashrut. Although in the modern sense we commonly associate "kosher" with only dietary laws, the notion of what is "proper" covers a broad range of items that must be done in accordance with the law.
800. Hand washing is very important to the Israelites. They are careful to wash their hands before each meal. Water was poured (most often by a servant) over the hands to be washed as they were held over a basin. Because the Hebrew people did not eat with silverware, washing was a necessity. Elisha poured water over the hands of Elijah in 2 Kings 3:11. As Elijah's servant, this was an important part of Elisha's duties.
796. Numerous references to honey and honeycomb in God's Word are proof that the Holy Land abounded with the sweet stuff. Many Scriptural citations indicate that wild honey was very common, being found in cavities of trees, such as when Jonathan discovered and ate some honey (1 Sam. 14:25-27). It is also mentioned as being found in the holes of rock, where it was often extracted (Ps. 81:16), and even in the dried carcasses of animals, as when Samson ate honey from the carcass of the lion (Judg. 14:8-9).
797. Honey is used in the poetic books of the Hebrew Bible to make many comparisons. The judgments of God are compared to it (Ps. 19:10). Pleasant words are likened to it (Prov. 16:24), as are knowledge and wisdom to the soul (Prov. 24:13-14). And the bride and bridegroom of Solomon's Song speak of honey (Song of Sol. 4:11; 5:1).
798. Seasoning most often refers to salt (Job 6:6). However, other types of spice, such as dill ("anise" in the KJV), mint, cumin, and coriander are also mentioned.
799. What is "kosher"? Many people, Jew and Gentile alike, commonly ask if something is kosher, loosely using the term to mean "permissible" or "okay." Kosher is a Yiddish word for "proper" that derives from the Hebrew word Kashrut. Although in the modern sense we commonly associate "kosher" with only dietary laws, the notion of what is "proper" covers a broad range of items that must be done in accordance with the law.
800. Hand washing is very important to the Israelites. They are careful to wash their hands before each meal. Water was poured (most often by a servant) over the hands to be washed as they were held over a basin. Because the Hebrew people did not eat with silverware, washing was a necessity. Elisha poured water over the hands of Elijah in 2 Kings 3:11. As Elijah's servant, this was an important part of Elisha's duties.
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