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The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone- it will come back on him. - Proverbs 26:27 HCSB

Do you remember the Bugs Bunny Road Runner Show? I used to love watching the coyote trying to catch the road runner. “Wile E. Coyote – Genius” it said on his business card. He would buy a catapult from the ACME company and try to launch a big rock. The only problem was that the rock went straight up and landed on him. He tried to move farther away but the platform flipped instead of the arm and landed on him. It seemed that no matter what…  ( Click for more )

But set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. - 1 Peter 3:15 HCSB

You often hear people assert that religion (Christianity in particular) has been an obstacle in the way of science’s progress. Sometimes, they will even view Christianity as a formidable enemy. In many works of fiction, the noble scientist has to work around the rabid, sweaty Christian evangelist who is trying to stop legitimate research out of paranoia, or simple greed for power. Like all…  ( Click for more )

I will honor only those who honor me, and I will despise those who despise me. I will put an end to your family, so it will no longer serve as my priests. – 1 Samuel 2:30b-31a

Eli was a good man with bad sons, a frequent phenomenon in the Bible. Eli’s two sons were supposed to assist him at the temple, but they began to take for themselves meat that was supposed to be sacrificed to God. As if that was not enough, they took the meat by force and they also slept with women who came to worship at the temple! Eli tried halfheartedly to rebuke them but was too weak…  ( Click for more )

"When men get in a fight, and hit a pregnant woman so that her children are born prematurely, but there is no injury, the one who hit her must be fined as the woman's husband demands from him, and he must pay according to judicial assessment. If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound. - Exodus 21:22-25 HCSB

Anencephaly (pronounced an-en-sef-ul-ee) is a birth defect in which the baby is missing a large portion of the brain as well as skull and scalp.…  ( Click for more )

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 )