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PHall | September 10, 2012
Second, being inflicted suggests another temptation related to the one above, which is the weakness or stubbornness to not put in the work necessary to restore the relationship. We might try, and then give up. Someone said, time heals all wounds, but that is not true unless there is work and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a […]
PHall | September 9, 2012
First, being sinned against requires being forgiving (Mt 6.14-15). If “to err is human, to forgive, divine” (Alexander Pope); then the temptation to not forgive is not divine but demonic. The temptation to hold on to hurt is the same as with most every sin and betrayal. Bitterness becomes a daily pill. Anguish is our […]
PHall | August 24, 2012
What do the Sermon on the Mount and Ecclesiastes have in common? Both are about the answer to true happiness. Ecclesiastes closes with the secret revealed, and the Sermon on the Mount opens with the answer. While there are different ways to translate and interpret Ecclesiastes 12:13, I prefer the one which is the most […]
PHall | August 19, 2012
Tribe of Levi Wife Barren House of God – Tabernacle and Temple Prayer for a child Hints that son becomes “Nazarite” Birth “Promised” Son born Names of sons based upon God Praises Offered by Parent Praises Similar in Language and Themes (i.e., horn, enemies, etc) Narratives include report of child’s growth Both become prophets Both […]
PHall | August 19, 2012
Was to receive a kingdom My enemies tried to trap me I was innocent of all charges Enemies tried to accuse me of breaking God’s law Enemies appealed to the governmental authority Enemies claimed loyalty to the governmental authority Enemies colluded together I prayed before arrested My prayer involved the number three Another attempted my […]
PHall | August 10, 2012
There is a recurring theme among liberal OT scholars. The Biblical books and authors are not authentic in time or authorship, but written in more “modern” times to help that later generation deal with their situations by re-inventing a past narrative. Daniel didn’t prophesy apocalyptic visions in chapters 7-12, but they were written in his […]
PHall | August 10, 2012
Daniel is easily divided into two sections: 1) Narrative – Present (1-6); 2) Prophetic – Future (7-12). The applicable lesson for us is that the same God who is today will be tomorrow. The same God that saves now can save in the later. The same God in charge of history today is in charge […]
PHall | August 10, 2012
Two types of Narratives in Daniel (Brueggemann, An Introduction to the Old Testament, p.352): Interpretation Story: The king has a vision or dream. The wise men of his court cannot interpret its meaning. The hero emerges and gives the interpretation. The hero is awarded. The king learns that ht hero’s God is all-powerful. Deliverance Story […]
PHall | August 5, 2012
Much like Lot is maligned for choosing the land of Sodom, although Scripture only speaks highly of him (2 Peter 2:7-8); those Jewish exiles who chose not to return after Cyrus’ decree are viewed askew, as less holy than the returnees. In staying behind, how could they be as righteous as those who went? However, […]
PHall | July 20, 2012
Concerning the vision in Ezekiel 1: “It has thus been, on the one hand, the point of departure for generations of mystics, who have scrutinized it in the hope of retracing Ezekiel’s steps, and finding their own path to the direct encounter with with God’s very being. Precisely for that reason, however, Jewish law forbade the public […]