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He (Herod) had been very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians. Together they presented themselves before him, and having won over Blastus, who was in charge of the king's bedroom, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king's country. So on an appointed day, dressed in royal robes and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a public address to them. The populace began to shout, "It's the voice of a god and not of a man!" At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he became infected with worms…  ( Click for more )

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, and even his own life--he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:26-27 HCSB

There once was Christian woman who faithfully attended Church and Bible studies. Her husband actively led several church ministries. However, one day her husband presented her with a dilemma. She discovered that he had had an internet relationship for months with a single woman who had four kids.

When confronted…  ( Click for more )

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He said: LORD God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping the gracious covenant with Your servants who walk before You with their whole heart. - 1 Kings 8:22-23 HCSB

From time to time, people ask me what it means to serve God with their whole heart. Every godly person wants the intimacy that comes from d’vekut[1] but it is unfortunately difficult for sinful humans to achieve – even for…  ( Click for more )

Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue. Am I lying, or can I not recognize lies? - Job 6:29-30 HCSB

When seeking to understand a passage, it is important (among other things) to know who is speaking to whom. In this case, Job[1] is answering someone. Job was a man who held the position of elder. If we consider the New Covenant characteristics of an elder[2] and compare them to Job’s life, we quickly determine that the man was supremely qualified![3]

Because the person Job was answering was long-winded, we must turn back several…  ( Click for more )

When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? - Psalm 8:3-4 HCSB

When reading this psalm, I usually focus on the humility that comes from observing the vastness of space but what struck me today was the association of the placement of the heavenly bodies with Yahweh’s protection. The Lord our God provided the heavenly bodies for the benefit of all people everywhere.[1]

The earth is vulnerable to asteroids and comet heads. These arrive…  ( Click for more )

"You must not steal. You must not act deceptively or lie to one another.” - Leviticus 19:11 HCSB

We must be very careful to not allow ourselves to be overly simplistic in our approach to moral dilemmas. For instance, in advocating honesty, Immanuel Kant went so far as to say that if a murderer were to ask where his potential victim was, an honest person would be obligated to tell him![1]

Augustine also said, “…a lie may never be told for the preservation of the temporal life of another.”[2] Respectfully, Kant and Augustine are dead wrong…  ( Click for more )

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth. – Isaiah 6:1-3 HCSB

When God sits securely on his rightful throne in our hearts, his robe will fill the temple of our bodies.[1] Angels will stand around us, guarding us[2] and bringing us Hashem’s answers to our…  ( Click for more )

Some, to be sure, preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me trouble in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice - Philippians 1:15-18 HCSB

[1] A wicked man once tried to disgrace a tzaddik by making it look like the elder had fallen into sin.[2] The righteous man…  ( Click for more )

The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. - Psalm 87:2 HCSB

I was once told a story of two brothers who traveled through Eastern Europe several hundred years ago. They had spent days on the road, walking from town to town for the sake of their ministry, when they came upon a small town named Oushpitsin.

Not wanting to spend another night sleeping in ditches and hay stacks, they approached an innkeeper about having a place to stay. They didn’t have any money, so they couldn’t afford a room. However, the innkeeper was a kind man…  ( Click for more )

I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. Do not show partiality when rendering judgment; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it. - Deuteronomy 1:16-17 HCSB

When Kadosh Yisra’el (the Holy One of Israel[1]) told His people to appoint judges, He gave them very specific requirements. They were to be able to judge righteously, impartially and fearlessly.…  ( Click for more )

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you priests, who despise My name." Yet you ask: "How have we despised Your name?" "By presenting defiled food on My altar." You ask: "How have we defiled You?" When you say: "The LORD's table is contemptible." "When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor!…  ( Click for more )

Because you didn't serve the LORD your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything, you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you, in famine, thirst, nakedness, and a lack of everything. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. – Deuteronomy 28:47-48 HCSB

There once was an elderly tzaddik who went out of his way to greet everyone cheerfully, even complete strangers. He would walk through the streets, waving and smiling. He would wind his way through the market place shaking hands here, touching…  ( Click for more )

When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before the elders of that city, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. - Joshua 20:3-4 HCSB

In their capacity as shepherds, leaders and general establishers of peace and justice, elders sometimes must act as judges among the people. When God’s people have an interpersonal or business conflict that they cannot resolve on their own, they have the option of bringing it to a “beit din”[1] for resolution.[2]

In Israel,…  ( Click for more )

For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: we were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone's bread free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. It is not that we don't have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. - 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 HCSB

A good elder’s leadership is to be characterized by humble service rather than arrogant domination. A good elder will “lead from the front”; s/he will lead by example.[1]…  ( Click for more )

Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, "Amen, Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read. - Nehemiah 8:6-8 HCSB

[1] Paul told Timothy that an elder should be worthy…  ( Click for more )

Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah, and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: shepherd God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God's will; not for the money but eagerly; - 1 Peter 5:1-2 HCSB

The office of elder is incredibly ancient. Its existence apparently preceded Moses because it was simply stated as a matter of fact, without explanation. Moses was told to gather the elders of Israel to pass on to the people the message of the Lord.[1] They…  ( Click for more )

Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith. Moreover, wine betrays; an arrogant man is never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself; he collects all the peoples for himself. Won't all of these take up a taunt against him, with mockery and riddles about him? They will say: Woe to him who amasses what is not his--how much longer?--and loads himself with goods taken in pledge. – Habakkuk 2:4-6 HCSB

The Lord God spoke to Habakkuk one day…  ( Click for more )

Stop bringing useless offerings. I despise your incense. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies--I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them. When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil. – Isaiah 1:13-16 HCSB

Those who maintain that…  ( Click for more )

Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. – Ephesians 5:24-26 HCSB

Christians tend to fall on one of two ends of the spectrum when it comes to the lines of authority within a marriage. On the one hand, some feel that saying that the man is the head of the home means that he is allowed to dominate his wife. I find this view execrable in view of the fact that Christ…  ( Click for more )

The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling seizes the ungodly: "Who among us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with ever-burning flames?" The one who lives righteously and speaks rightly, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears from listening to murderous plots and shuts his eyes to avoid endorsing evil-- he will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the rocky fortresses, his food provided, his water assured. – Isaiah 33:14-16 HCSB

Isaiah rhetorically asked, “Who can live with a consuming…  ( Click for more )

"Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and there call out this word: Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place. Do not trust deceitful words, chanting: This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD. Instead, if you really change your ways and your actions, if you act justly toward one another, if you no longer oppress the alien, the fatherless, and…  ( Click for more )

Then the LORD replied to him, "In that case, whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over." And He placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him. Then Cain went out from the LORD's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain knew his wife intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. – Genesis 4:15-17 HCSB

[1]For theology’s sake, let’s be very clear. Adam was the first man[2] and it was through him[3] that the…  ( Click for more )

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. - Luke 1:5-7 HCSB

Zechariah probably started out with high hopes. When Elizabeth married him, there was talk about the priesthood, about education and standing in the community. Time wore…  ( Click for more )

In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. She was always doing good works and acts of charity. In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, "Don't delay in coming with us." So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.…  ( Click for more )