The “Branch of the Lord” is mentioned in Isaiah 4:2 which states “In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.” This verse points to the Messiah who will come to restore Israel. Here are some key things to understand about the Branch of the Lord: 1. It refers to the Messiah The Targums (ancient Aramaic translations/paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible) interpret the Branch as referring to the Messiah. The Targums substitute “Messiah” for “Branch” in many passages in…
Author: Matt Primack
The Bible contains many references to alcohol and warnings about its use and abuse. Here is a summary of some of the key biblical principles regarding alcohol: Wine is viewed as a gift from God In the Old Testament, wine is depicted as a blessing from God when used rightly (Psalm 104:14-15; Ecclesiastes 9:7). However, the Bible also warns that wine can be used excessively and promote drunkenness. “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) Drunkenness is strongly condemned While the Bible approves…
Romans 1:20 states “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” This verse teaches that even though God Himself is invisible, His attributes can be clearly seen and understood through examining His creation. When we observe the natural world around us – the intricacy of a single cell, the complexity of DNA, the vastness of the universe, the interdependent ecosystems on Earth – it points to an intelligent Designer behind it all. The creation…
Jesus’ statement about wanting to gather Jerusalem’s children like a hen gathers her chicks is found in Matthew 23:37, which says “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” This verse comes near the end of Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees and His lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23. To understand why Jesus made this statement, we need to examine the context and imagery He used.…
1 Corinthians 2:15 says, “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.” This verse teaches that those who are filled with the Holy Spirit have the ability to discern and evaluate all things according to God’s truth. Here is an in-depth look at what this verse means. 1. The “Spiritual Man” Refers to Believers Indwelt by the Holy Spirit In 1 Corinthians 2:15, the “spiritual man” refers specifically to those who have trusted in Christ for salvation and have subsequently been indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). When a person becomes a…
Ashdod is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It was one of the five major Philistine cities, along with Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Ashdod’s strategic location on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Mesopotamia made it an important trade center and seaport in ancient times. Here are some key passages that mention Ashdod and help explain its significance in biblical history: Ashdod in the Old Testament Ashdod is first mentioned in Joshua 11:22 as one of the cities conquered by Joshua during the Israelite conquest of Canaan: “None of the Anakim were…
The Global Methodist Church (GMC) is a new Methodist denomination that was officially launched in May 2022. It was formed as a conservative breakaway group from the United Methodist Church (UMC) over theological differences regarding issues like same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. Here is an overview of the key events and beliefs surrounding the GMC: Background The roots of the split began in 2019, when the UMC voted to uphold and strengthen its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy at a special session of their General Conference. This sparked strong reactions from more progressive factions of the UMC who…
The message of the cross being foolishness is a concept that the apostle Paul introduces in 1 Corinthians 1:18, which states “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” To understand what Paul meant by this, we need to examine the context and background of his letter to the Corinthians. The city of Corinth in Paul’s day was a center of culture and philosophy in the Roman Empire. The people valued wisdom, knowledge, and persuasive arguments. Different schools of philosophy and rhetoric…
Patience in times of tribulation is a key theme in Romans 12:12, which says “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” This verse encourages believers to respond to difficult circumstances with joyful hope, steadfast endurance, and consistent prayer. Let’s explore the meaning and application of this important passage. The Context of Romans 12:12 Romans 12 comes after 11 chapters of dense theological arguments. In chapter 12, Paul shifts gears to focus on practical Christian living. He urges believers to live as “living sacrifices” in view of God’s mercies (Rom 12:1). This includes using spiritual gifts, loving…
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. The apostle Paul wrote about wanting to know Christ and “the power of His resurrection” in Philippians 3:10. What did Paul mean by this, and what is the significance and power of Christ’s resurrection for believers today? The Context of Philippians 3:10 Philippians 3:10 says “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” To understand this verse, we need to look at the context. In Philippians 3, Paul is warning believers about false teachers who…