The Hebrew word hesed is an important concept in the Bible that refers to God’s lovingkindness, mercy, grace, and compassion. It is a multi-faceted word that conveys the idea of steadfast, faithful, covenant love. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning and significance of hesed in the Bible: Definitions and Translations of Hesed The Hebrew word hesed (also spelled chesed or hesed) is most often translated in English as “lovingkindness,” “mercy,” “grace,” “compassion,” or “steadfast love.” It comes from the root word hasad, which means “to be good” or “show favor.” Some key definitions include: – Steadfast, loyal love…
Author: Matt Primack
The prophecy in Zephaniah 2:11 states that one day the Lord will be worshipped by the nations of Moab and Ammon: “The Lord will be awesome against them; for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations” (ESV). This prophecy raises the question – when will this worship of the Lord by Moab and Ammon take place? Let’s explore the biblical context. Background on Moab and Ammon Moab and Ammon were nations located east of the Jordan River. They were relatives…
The verse James 4:8 states, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This powerful promise encapsulates a profound spiritual truth that can transform our relationship with God. But what exactly does it mean to “draw near” to God, and how does He in turn draw near to us? In this approximately 9,000 word article, we will explore the meaning of James 4:8 and its implications for the Christian life. 1. The Context of James 4:8 To properly understand any verse, we must start by examining its context. James 4:8 falls within a larger passage (James 4:1-10)…
The prophet Micah foretold of a time when people from all nations would flow to Jerusalem to worship God. This prophecy is found in Micah 4:1-2: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will…
Hamartiology is the study of sin and evil according to the Bible. It comes from the Greek hamartia meaning “to miss the mark” and logos meaning “word, study, or reasoning.” In Christian theology, hamartiology looks at the origin, nature, effects and consequences of sin as it relates to mankind’s relationship with God. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical teachings on hamartiology: The Origin of Sin According to the Bible, sin originated with the disobedience and rebellion of Adam and Eve toward God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Though created good and without sin, Adam…
Determining if something is a sin or not can be challenging at times. The Bible provides guidance on identifying sinful behaviors, though some issues require wisdom and discernment. Here are some biblical principles for evaluating if something is sinful: 1. Examine if it violates God’s commands The Bible contains many direct commands from God on how we are to live. Disobeying God’s clear instructions is sin. For example, God commands us not to murder, steal, commit adultery, lie, covet, etc. (Exodus 20:1-17). If we engage in these behaviors, we are sinning. “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices…
In the Bible, Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the Savior of the world. On Day 1, we looked at Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. Today on Day 2, we will explore what the New Testament says about who Jesus is. Jesus is the Son of God The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus is the Son of God. This means that Jesus has the same divine nature as God. He was not created, but has eternally existed with the Father (John 1:1-3). Let’s look at some of the key passages: -…
The Bible has a lot to say about wealth and possessions. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles regarding money and riches: Wealth comes from God The Bible makes it clear that all good things, including material prosperity, ultimately come from God. We see this in Deuteronomy 8:18 which says “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” Wealth is not something we obtain purely by our own efforts, but is a blessing from God. James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is…
The apostle Paul made several missionary journeys to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman world. These journeys are described in detail in the book of Acts in the New Testament. There were three main missionary journeys that Paul took: Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-14:28) Paul’s first missionary journey began around AD 46-48 when he and Barnabas were commissioned and sent out by the church at Antioch. They traveled to the island of Cyprus and preached in the synagogues there. Then they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem. Paul…
Speaking in tongues is a controversial spiritual gift in Christianity. Some churches teach it is an essential sign of salvation, while others do not. What does the Bible say on this issue? Let’s explore the key scriptures and themes that shed light on this question. What is speaking in tongues? Speaking in tongues refers to praying or praising God in an unknown language as the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). It is a gift of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 along with other gifts like prophecy, healing, and interpretation of tongues. In the New Testament, there…