The Roman Empire plays an important role in biblical history, especially in relation to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. Here are some of the key ways the Roman Empire impacts biblical history: Roman Occupation of Judea In 63 BC, the Romans under Pompey conquered Jerusalem and brought Judea under direct Roman rule. This set the stage for Roman occupation of Judea during the time of Jesus. The presence of Roman authority figures like Pontius Pilate and Roman soldiers is evident throughout the Gospels. Jesus and his followers frequently interacted with representatives of Roman…
Author: Mike Solis
The phrase “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” appears several times in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms. It is an exhortation to worship and praise God with great joy, enthusiasm and gladness. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about making a joyful noise unto the Lord: The meaning of “joyful noise” The Hebrew word translated as “joyful noise” is ruwa. It means to raise a shout or a cry of joy. The literal meaning is to “split the ears” with sound. So making a joyful noise refers to worshiping God audibly and loudly,…
Despair is a feeling of complete hopelessness or lack of hope. It can arise from various life circumstances that seem too difficult to overcome. According to the Bible, despair is often linked to a lack of faith and trust in God. Here is an overview of some key things the Bible says about despair: Despair is a common human experience Many godly people in the Bible struggled with feelings of despair, including David (Psalms 42:5), Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:18), Job (Job 7:15), Moses (Numbers 11:15), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), and Jonah (Jonah 4:3). Even Jesus cried out on the cross, “My…
Having God’s Word hidden in our hearts is a powerful concept presented in Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” But what does this really mean and how can we achieve it? Here are some key points to understand about hiding God’s Word in our hearts: It involves treasuring Scripture The psalmist says he has “stored up” God’s Word in his heart. This implies valuing Scripture, cherishing it like a priceless treasure. We hide something valuable where no one can take it from us. When we treasure God’s…
The “problem of good” refers to the theological question of why there is good in the world if God is all-powerful. This question arises in response to the problem of evil, which questions why evil exists if God is good and all-powerful. The problem of good seeks to understand how good can exist in light of God’s omnipotence and omnibenevolence. According to the Bible, God created the world and called it “good” (Genesis 1:31). However, when Adam and Eve sinned, evil entered the world. So there is both good and evil in the present world. The continued existence of good…
The story of Moses sending twelve spies into the Promised Land is found in Numbers 13-14. After God had delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai, He commanded them to go and take possession of the land He had promised them – the land of Canaan. However, instead of showing faith and immediately entering the land, the Israelites demanded that spies first be sent to bring back a report about the land and its inhabitants (Numbers 13:1-2). Moses consented to this plan and appointed twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the…
The Bible does not specifically mention “the guff” by name. However, we can explore what the Bible teaches about human speech and communication, which seems relevant to the idea of “the guff.” The Power of the Tongue The Bible has a lot to say about the power of our words and speech. Several verses warn about the dangers of unwise, rash, or gossiping speech: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits…
The phrase “blessed are the peacemakers” comes from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, where Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” This is one of several beatitudes or blessings that Jesus pronounced during his Sermon on the Mount. So what did Jesus mean when he said this? Here is an explanation of the meaning behind this important saying. The Wording and Context of “Blessed are the Peacemakers” First, it’s helpful to look closely at the wording and context of the verse. Jesus says “blessed are the peacemakers.” The word “blessed” here means favored…
The topic of whether we should pray aloud or silently is an interesting one that deserves careful examination of the biblical evidence. There are a few key passages from the gospels that give insight into Jesus’ perspective on public prayer versus private prayer. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and…
The Bible describes God as a “consuming fire” in several places. This metaphor reveals key aspects of God’s nature and how He relates to humankind. Understanding the meaning behind this description can give us a deeper appreciation for God’s holiness, righteousness, and love. 1. God’s Holiness Consumes What is Unholy The description of God as a consuming fire points first and foremost to His holiness. God is utterly set apart from sin, corruption, and anything impure. Deuteronomy 4:24 says, “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” This verse connects God’s consuming fire nature with His…