What does it mean to humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10)? Humility before God is a critical concept in the Bible. James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” But what exactly does it mean to humble ourselves before God? Here is an in-depth look at the meaning behind this verse. To Provide Context, James 4 Discuss Humility Amidst Worldly Pleasures and Pride It’s important to understand the broader context of James 4 when looking at verse 10. In the preceding verses, James rebukes those who make plans and focus on…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The Bible offers guidance on navigating the tension between leaving one’s parents after marriage while still honoring them. This article will examine key biblical principles for balancing “leave and cleave” with honoring parents after marriage. The Command to Leave and Cleave Genesis 2:24 states that “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (ESV). This establishes the precedent for the long-standing Judeo-Christian tradition of leaving the nuclear family unit to start a new family. Cleaving to one’s spouse in the covenant of marriage takes priority over remaining…
Ambition is a word that is not directly used much in the Bible, but there are many verses and passages that relate to the concepts and issues surrounding ambition, aspiration, and motivation. Ambition in and of itself is neutral morally – it can be used for good or bad purposes. The key is to have ambition for the right things and to avoid selfish or improper ambition. Here are some key themes about ambition that emerge in the Bible: 1. Ambition for God’s purposes and glory is good We are called to be ambitious for God and for accomplishing His…
Tamar is an important woman mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. There are two different women named Tamar in the Bible, and they both have unique stories that teach important lessons. Tamar, Daughter-in-Law of Judah One Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 38). Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry Tamar. However, Er was wicked and died young. As was custom at the time, Judah then gave Tamar to his second son, Onan, to provide an heir for Er. Onan refused to fulfill his duty and died too.…
The Exodus from Egypt: Meaning and Importance The exodus from Egypt refers to the mass departure of the Israelites from ancient Egypt described in the Bible’s Book of Exodus. This monumental event marked the liberation of the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians and set into motion the history of the Jewish nation. The exodus has deeply shaped Jewish identity and is remembered every year during the holiday of Passover. The Importance of the Exodus in the Bible The exodus is one of the most significant events in the Old Testament, representing a pivotal moment in Israel’s history as God…
A rite is a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Rites play an important role in many religions as formal acts of worship. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about rites: Origins and Purpose of Rites The concept of rites and rituals has ancient origins tracing back to humanity’s early religious practices. According to the Bible, the first rites were established by God Himself. After creating the world, God instituted the pattern of seventh day observance and rest on the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3). Later, the sacrificial system…
The name Noel comes from the French phrase “Les bonnes nouvelles” which means “the good news”. It is most commonly associated with Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the “good news” that God sent into the world to save humanity from sin. The name Noel first began being used in reference to Christmas during the Middle Ages in France. It was meant to refer to the nativity of Christ and the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the shepherds that the Savior had been born in Bethlehem. Over time, Noel became…
Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” This verse comes in the context of Paul urging believers to be strong in the Lord and put on His full armor to stand against spiritual forces of evil. The “wiles of the devil” refer to the schemes, strategies, traps, and tricks that Satan uses to tempt, deceive, accuse, and destroy people. Based on the broader context of Scripture, here are some of the key “wiles of the devil” that believers need to be aware of and…
The Aaronic Blessing, also known as the Priestly Blessing, is a blessing God commanded Moses to teach Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites with (Numbers 6:22-27). It’s a beautiful blessing that invokes God’s protection, grace, and peace over His people. Here is the text of the blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV) This blessing has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,000 years, continuing to…
Malachi was the final Old Testament prophet who wrote the Book of Malachi. The name Malachi means “my messenger” or “my angel”. Malachi likely wrote his prophetic book between 450-400 BC after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. Malachi was concerned with religious complacency and neglect among the priests and people. His prophecies center around the failure of Israel to fulfill their covenant relationship with God after their return from exile. Here is an overview of key information about the prophet Malachi and the Book of Malachi in the Bible: Authorship The Book of Malachi explicitly identifies Malachi…