The Bible contains many verses that tell us not to fear. When we face difficult circumstances, it’s natural to feel afraid. However, God wants us to trust in Him instead of giving in to fear. By relying on God’s power, wisdom and goodness, we can find courage and hope. The phrase “fear not” occurs over 70 times in the Bible. God often tells His people to “fear not” when they are afraid or anxious. For example, when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to Jesus, he said “Fear not, Mary” (Luke 1:30). When the…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and pithy observations about life. One such proverb is found in Proverbs 11:22, which states “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” This vivid metaphor compares a lovely yet foolish woman to a gold ring in a pig’s nose – an object both incongruous and wasted. To fully unpack this proverb, we must understand what it means to lack discretion and why physical beauty devoid of wisdom and prudence is ultimately hollow and unbeneficial. Discretion refers to good judgment, tact,…
The beautiful promise that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes is found in Revelation 7:17 which says, “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” This verse comes in the context of John’s vision of a great multitude in heaven made up of people from every nation who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-14). This glorious promise offers great hope and comfort…
The book of Genesis provides a foundational account of God’s relationship with humanity, including the creation of the world, the first humans, and humanity’s fall into sin. In Genesis 3:8, a key verse describes an encounter between God and the first humans, Adam and Eve, shortly after they had disobeyed God’s command not to eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden: “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the…
Determining the age of the Bible is a complex undertaking, as the Bible is not a single book written at one time, but rather a collection of ancient texts written and compiled over many centuries. Here is an overview of what we know about the origins and dating of the various books and sections that make up the Bible as we have it today. The Old Testament The Old Testament is the first major division of the Bible, covering the history of the Israelites and their relationship with God prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. It contains 39 separate…
Fear is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. However, the Bible encourages us not to live in fear but to find freedom through faith in God. Here are some of the keys that the Bible offers to overcoming fear and anxiety: Trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness One of the most repeated messages in Scripture is to trust in God’s sovereignty, power, and goodness. God is in control over all things and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Even when circumstances seem out of control, we…
The phrase “set your face like flint” comes from Isaiah 50:7 which says, “But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” This verse describes the resolute determination and unwavering commitment that the prophet Isaiah had to fulfill the will of God, no matter the opposition or suffering it entailed. To “set your face like flint” means to firmly fix your gaze and steadfastly set your resolve to complete the task God has called you to, without…
The Bible has a lot to say about apologizing and seeking forgiveness when we have wronged someone. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles on apologizing: We Should Be Quick to Apologize and Seek Forgiveness The Bible encourages us to have a heart ready and willing to apologize when needed. We see this in passages like: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer…
Yazidism is a syncretic religion practiced by the Yazidi people, who are an ethnoreligious group indigenous to northern Mesopotamia (modern day northern Iraq). The Yazidi religion incorporates elements from pre-Islamic ancient Mesopotamian religions, Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, as well as some aspects of Abrahamic religions like Islam and Christianity. Some key beliefs and practices of Yazidism include: Belief in one God, who created the world and entrusted it to seven Holy Beings often called Angels or heft sirr (‘the Seven Mysteries’). Reverence for Melek Taus, the ‘Peacock Angel’ who serves as God’s interlocutor with humanity. He is not an evil spirit as…
Verbal plenary preservation refers to the belief that God has perfectly preserved His words through the ages, down to the very letters and words themselves. The word “plenary” means “full” or “complete,” indicating that preservation applies to the entire text, including every word. “Verbal” means that preservation applies to the very words themselves, not just concepts or ideas. This view stands in contrast to those who believe that only the ideas or concepts of Scripture, but not the exact words, have been preserved over time. Those who hold to verbal plenary preservation base their belief on several key biblical passages:…