The angel Phanuel is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about this mysterious angelic being. The Gospel of Luke Mentions Phanuel In Luke 2:25-38, we read about Simeon, a righteous and devout man in Jerusalem. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah). One day, the Spirit led Simeon to the temple courts just as…
Author: Mike Solis
The Kidron Valley, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, is an important biblical location mentioned several times in both the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the Kidron Valley’s significance and history according to the Bible: Geographic Location The Kidron Valley is a deep ravine located on the eastern side of Jerusalem. It separates the city from the Mount of Olives. The valley begins at the Old City near the Gihon Spring and runs in a south-easterly direction for approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) until it meets the Dead Sea. The name “Kidron” comes from the…
King Abijah was the son of Rehoboam and grandson of King Solomon. He became the king of Judah after his father’s death and reigned for 3 years from 913-910 BC. Abijah’s story is recorded in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13. Here is an overview of his life and reign as king: Abijah’s Family Background Abijah’s father was Rehoboam, who was the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonite. His mother was Maachah, the daughter of Absalom. Abijah had 18 wives and 22 sons and 16 daughters (2 Chronicles 13:21). His many wives were a violation of God’s command…
The Bible has a lot to say about justice. Justice is an important concept in Scripture, as God is described as perfectly just and righteous. The Bible calls on people to act justly, especially those in positions of authority and power. Some key points about biblical justice include: Justice comes from God True justice originates from God, who is perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4). God’s laws and character are the ultimate standard of justice. Any human attempts at justice should be rooted in God’s moral law and character. Scripture says that God executes justice for the oppressed (Psalm 146:7). As the…
The church at Jerusalem holds great significance in the history of Christianity. Jerusalem was the city where Jesus Christ carried out his ministry, was crucified, and rose from the dead. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the first Christian community formed in Jerusalem under the leadership of the apostles, particularly Peter and James. Here are some key points about the history and significance of the early Jerusalem church: Foundation of the Jerusalem Church According to the book of Acts, after Jesus’ ascension, his disciples returned to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). On the day of Pentecost,…
Teraphim were household idols that existed in ancient Israel and surrounding lands. The exact nature and purpose of teraphim is uncertain, but they seemed to function as household gods or personal gods that provided protection, guidance, and divination. Etymology The word “teraphim” comes from the Hebrew word תרפים, which may derive from a root meaning “to inquire” or “to consult.” This suggests the teraphim had a divinatory function. Some scholars link “teraphim” to the Akkadian term seru, meaning protective spirit. Appearances in the Bible Teraphim are mentioned several times in the Old Testament, though details are scarce. Here are some…
The Bible has a lot to say about a Christian’s responsibility in life. As followers of Christ, Christians are called to live according to God’s standards and commands as revealed in Scripture. Here is an overview of some of the key responsibilities the Bible outlines for believers: Love God and Others The most fundamental calling for Christians is to love God and love others. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.…
Consecration is the act of setting something apart as holy and dedicated to God. The Bible has a lot to say about consecration and calls believers to consecrate themselves to the Lord. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical themes around consecration: Old Testament Background In the Old Testament, the concept of consecration was closely tied to the idea of holiness. God called the people of Israel to be set apart and holy, just as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). Items, people, and times were consecrated and dedicated to the Lord’s purposes and glory. The tabernacle and…
The quote “out of the mouth of babes You have perfected praise” comes from Matthew 21:16 in the Bible. This verse refers to an incident where Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem and children were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!”. The chief priests and scribes were indignant and asked Jesus if he heard what the children were saying. Jesus replied by quoting Psalm 8:2 – “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” So what does this mean? Here are a few…
The metaphor of believers being “salt and light” comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16. In this passage, Jesus tells his followers “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” He then goes on to explain what he means by these metaphors. Being salt and light is a calling and responsibility that Jesus gives to all his disciples. Here is an explanation of what it means for believers to be salt and light in the world: Salt Jesus first calls his disciples “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). Salt…