#isaiah 40:1-2

[mindfulldsliving]

From Beggar to Believer: A Journey of Redemption

I never realized that I had lived most of my life as a beggar and have since discovered I'm a believer in Christ. This transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. For years, I wandered through life feeling empty and unworthy,

Finding Sanity: Faith, Hope, and Joy in My Recovery Journey with Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and cry to herthat her warfare is ended,that her iniquity is pardoned,that she has received from the Lord’s handdouble for all her sins.~Isaiah 40:1-2, ESV ~ Finding sanity amidst life’s chaos isn’t easy. Yet, as I reflect on my personal recovery…

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Isaiah 40: The Comfort of God's Grace

This passage was made famous by George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, “Comfort Ye My People,” the second piece heard in Part I. In this recitative, God gives comfort and promises salvation. #ComfortYeMyPeople #GodsComfort #GodsGrace

Context Isaiah remembered, in his historical interlude, the time King Hezekiah of Judah had been completely taken in by the flattering attention of the Babylonian envoys. Since Babylon was not a major power at that time, Hezekiah was not alert to the risks of giving them the cook’s tour of his palace, armory, and the temple’s outer courts. Instead, the young king enjoyed showing off to them, and…

[martyschoenleber]

Jesus is Coming

Some years ago I was walking around the reception tables after a wedding I had performed. An older woman approached me with a question. Almost everyone present at this particular wedding had come from a high church liturgical tradition. In their tradition, they had sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly recited either the Apostle’s Creed or the Athanasian Creed. But apparently, she hadn’t been…

[bojackson54]

The Woman Who Believed an Unbelievable Message

Almost every Christmas pageant contains the Angel’s appearance to Mary. Luke’s narrative about Mary’s conversation with Gabriel described her reaction to some pretty unbelievable news. If you think about it, there is much to learn from Mary’s response to God’s messenger. (And BTW, the Greek word for angel is anggelos, or messenger—simply put, a courier who brings a message, or a word from someone…

[touchofgoddotworld]

Whose Report Do You Believe? (270) - November 2 2024

Choose your Podcast App to Play this episode Pastor Catrice speaks on this week’s topic about the heart of the Christian when finding themselves in a Wilderness. Moses sent out scouts to report back what they found in Canaan, the land which God had given His children. However, some of them brought back an evil report because they were afraid of what they saw and didn’t acknowledge the Lord and…

[kmac4him1st]

Firstee Family

  Family Concern Plays Out To: Family Prayer In times such as these Jesus, we do have concerns for our family and we take them to You, Jesus, The Only One Who wears the Victor’s Throne, our Overcomer and our very Present Comfort. Thank You Jesus, we pray for every high thing to come down, every stronghold that affects our family in these dark and lawless times, to be broken by the power of Your…

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. — Matthew 16 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Job 34:11; Psalm 42:2; Psalm 49:8; Psalm 129:2; Proverbs 26:5; isaiah 22:22; Isaiah 57:3; Jeremiah 1:1; Matthew 1:16; Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 10:38-39; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 14:17; Matthew 14:20; Matthew 21:25; Mark 8:15; Luke 9:18; Luke 12:54; Luke 12:56; John 1:42; John 12;25; Revelation 3:7

Some Standing Here Will Not Taste Death

Key Events in Matthew 16

1. The Pharisees require a sign. 5. Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13. The people's opinion of Jesus, 16. and Peter's confession of him. 21. Jesus foretells his death; 23. reproves Peter for dissuading him from it; 24. and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.

[haveyoulistenedtothisalbum-poll]

Tracklist:

1 Samuel 15:23 �� Psalms 40:2 • Genesis 3:23 • Philippians 3:20-21 • Hebrews 11:40 • Genesis 30:3 • Romans 10:9 • 1 John 4:16 • Matthew 25:21 • Deuteronomy 2:10 • Isaiah 45:23 • Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace

Spotify ♪ Bandcamp ♪ YouTube

[httpsoftbunni]

Genesis 1 Is an Ancient Israelite Cosmology

Introduction to Genesis 1

In Hebrew, the word for "earth" typically means "land," rather than a globe or sphere floating in space, so when you read Genesis 1, imagine the story communicating about the land the people live on. God names the raqia the shamayim–the Hebrew word for "skies" or "heavens." In the Bible, the raqia is the solid dome above the land that holds back the waters above, and the creation of raqia creates a place where life can flourish. In the biblical view, God graciously sustains the raqia, keeping its floodgates closed so that the Earth will never again be destroyed (Gen. 9:11)

"Earth" in Genesis 1:1-2

In Hebrew, ‘erets doesn’t mean “globe-earth.” This is a modern meaning of the English word “earth” that depends on the concept of the planet as a sphere. This concept was not available to the biblical authors at the time. Photos of the earth are fascinating, but totally irrelevant for understanding what the ancient Hebrew word means in Genesis 1. There are no uses of this word in the Hebrew Bible that describe the land as a sphere. Rather, the word’s meaning describes the land that is below the skies and the clouds.

Psalms 102:19

For [God] looked down from His holy height; from heaven the LORD gazed upon the ‘erets.

Psalms 103:11

For as high as the heavens are above the ‘erets, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear him.

By looking at the biblical usage of this word, we can see that a more appropriate English word for translating ‘erets would be “land.”

"Firmament/Exapnse/Vault/Dome" in Genesis 1:6-8

In Hebrew, raqia refers to a solid blue dome above the land, above which are presumed to be waters. The English word “dome” is an accurate rendering of the word based on its other uses in the biblical text.

The Noun Raqia

Genesis 1:6-8

And God said, “Let there be a raqia in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the water.” God made the raqia and separated the water which were below the raqia from the waters which were above the raqia, and it was so. God called the raqia “heavens.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.

Genesis 1:20

And God said, “…and let the birds fly over the land against the surface of the raqia…”

Ezekiel 1:22, 26

And there was something like a raqia over the heads of the living creatures, like the appearance of ice, stretched out over their heads above…. And above the raqia that was over their heads something like blue sapphire, the appearance of a throne…

The Verb Raqa

In Hebrew, Raqa means “to hammer out, smooth, spread out.”

Exodus 39:3

And they [the craftsmen] Raqa’d smooth sheets of gold, and they cut them into cords to be woven together with blue and purple and scarlet…

Numbers 16:39

So Eleazer the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered and they Raqa’d them out as a plating for the altar…

Isaiah 40:19

As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a goldsmith Raqa’s it with gold….

Isaiah 42:5

Thus says God the LORD,

Who created the heavens and stretched them out, 

Who raqa’d the land and what springs up from it,

Who gives breath to the people on it

And spirit to those who walk in it…

The Windows of the Raqia’

The raqia’ is a solid blue dome between the land and the cosmic waters, which are released over the land through windows in the raqia’

Genesis 7:11

In the sixth hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the windows of the skies were opened.

Genesis 1 is using ancient physics to give a metaphysical account of the meaning of the universe.

[apilgrimpassingby]

Demons of the Hebrew Bible

Since today is also the day for Lord of Spiritsposting, I've decided to make a post I considered yesterday - the demons of the Hebrew Bible. This will be a long post, so I'm inserting a "Keep Reading".

Azazel: Appears only once in Leviticus 16, as the being in the wilderness to whom the goat with the people's sins laid on it in the Day of Atonement ritual is given (this isn't sacrifice, because the animal isn't killed or offered on an altar, among other things). Becomes a Devil figure in some later Jewish literature like the Book of Enoch, and is associated with deserts, sin and goats - the name literally means "the goat that goes away" (an archaic translation gives us the word "scapegoat"), and the seemingly-random reference to goat demons in Leviticus 17:7 comes just after Azazel's appearance.

Deber: The most prominent of the gang, appearing (usually in conjunction with other figures on this list) in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Habakkuk and the Pentateuch a total of 49 times, usually unleashed as punishment for some sin by Israel (compare "handing people over to Satan" in St. Paul's letters - 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20). A nocturnal demon of pestilence and destruction associated with the underworld in Canaanite mythology.

Hereb: Rendered as "the sword" in English; the next most prominent one, appearing 29 times and, like Deber, in conjunction with the others. A demon of violence and destruction associated with blood-drinking (Isaiah 34:5, Jeremiah 46:10) and flesh-eating (Deuteronomy 32:42, Jeremiah 12:12) and probably the rider on a red horse from Revelation 6:3-4.

Lilit: Appears just once, Isaiah 34:14, where she's dwelling in some ruins. Usually translated as "screech owl" or "night bird", but some use "Lilith". In Mesopotamian mythology, the lili are a class of nocturnal female demons associated who kill babies and are associated with owls, so the translation as "screech owl" is acceptable. The Songs of the Sage from the Dead Sea Scrolls refer to liliyot (feminine plural) as a class of demons: "And I, the Instructor, proclaim His glorious splendour so as to frighten and to te[rrify] all the spirits of the destroying angels, spirits of the bastards, demons, liliths, howlers...

Livyatan: Usually anglicised as Leviathan, and appears five times: Job 3:8 and chapter 41, Psalms 74:12-14 and 104:26 and Isaiah 27:1. Based on those appearances, he's a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent immune to weapons who battles with Yahweh and (of course) always loses. The myth of a god fighting a sea serpent is a staple of world mythology. Likely correlates to the beast from the sea of Revelation 13:1-10, since Leviathan is paired with a beast from the earth (Behemoth; Job 40:15-24) - also compare Revelation 13:4 ("Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”) to Job 41:33-34 ("On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride").

Nephilim: Famously appear in Genesis 6:1-4 as the warriors born of the sons of God and the daughters of men, understood in Second Temple Jewish texts such as the Book of Enoch and the Septuagint to be giants born of fallen angels and human women. They appear by the name Anakim or Rephaim in Genesis 14:5, 15:20, Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10-11, 2:20-21, 3:11, 3;13, 9:2 and Joshua 11:21-22, 12:4, 13:12, 14:12, 14:15 and 15:8 and war with giants appears in 2 Samuel 21:16-22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 and, of course, 1 Samuel 17 (the David and Goliath story).

Qeteb: Appears just 4 times (Deuteronomy 32:24; Psalm 91:6; Isaiah 28:2; Hosea 13:14), together with Deber in the Psalms and Hosea appearances and together with Resheph in Deuteronomy; if there's any lesson from this post so far, it's that plague demons hunt in packs. A diurnal plague demon whose name is rendered in English as "destruction"; nothing more to be said.

Ra'av: The third most prominent one, appearing 35 times; a famine demon whose name is rendered in English as "famine" or "hunger" who is unleashed on Israel as punishment together with (surprise!) Hereb and either Deber or Resheph. Probably the rider on a black horse from Revelation 6:5-6.

Rephaim: The spirits of dead kings who dwell in the underworld not doing much, translated in the ESV as shades and appearing in Isaiah 14:9 and 26:14; the same imagery and concept is being used by Ezekiel 32:20-30.

Resheph: A demon of plague and conquest worshipped as a god in Canaanite and Egyptian culture, depicted as a bearded archer on a white horse. Appears just 6 times in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 32:24; Habakkuk 3:5 Psalm 78:48; Job 5:7, Song of Songs 8:6); the name is rendered as "plague" or "pestilence" or occasionally "fire" or "sparks" because the name literally means "burning". Probably the rider on a white horse from Revelation 6:2.

Sources and Further Reading

"Before Him Went Pestilence (Hab. 3:5) - Biblical Lexis and Semantic Field of Epidemics" by Jozef Jankovic for The Old Testament Society of South Africa

"A Land of Giants" by Frs. Andrew Stephen Damick and Stephen DeYoung on The Lord of Spirits

"War, Famine, Disease, Death and Hades" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

"Who is Azazel?" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

Who is Lilith - Ancient Development and Origins of the Demon Queen by Dr. Justin Sledge on ESOTERICA

Or in short - stop making it all about Lilith. Use some other Hebrew Bible demons.

[solidrockistand]

Praise of God's Law pt 5

33. Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. (Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. Psalms 119:12 NIV)

And you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Exodus 18:20 ESV)

34. Give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. (If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 ESV)

Reproach- the expression of disapproval or disappointment.

(Cry out for insight and understanding. search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-6 NLT)

The same energy we put into pleasing other people, we need to direct that energy and motivation into pleasing Jesus.

35. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. (Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Psalms 25:4-5)

(Why don't people say to God, 'I have sinned, but I will sin no more'? Or, I don't know what evil I have done; tell me, and I will stop at once? Job 34:32 NLT)

(For you are my rock, and my fortress; and for your names sake you lead me and guide me. Psalms 31:3 ESV)

36. Turn my heart towards your statutes and not toward selfish gain. (He said, "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel. Joshua 24:23 ESV)

(And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouth they act; their heart is set on their gain Ezekiel 33:31 ESV)

37. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word (I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word. Psalms 119:25 NLT)

(You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth, you will bring me up again Psalms 71:20 ESV)

(How can a young man keep his way pure? by living according to your word. Psalms 119:9 NIV)

38. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. (God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said and will he not do it? Numbers 23:19 ESV)

(No, I will not punish you as much as my burning anger tells me to. I will not completely destroy Israel, For I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you and will not come to destroy. Hosea 11:9 NLT)

39. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. (Passion for your house burns within me, so those who insult you are also insulting me. Psalms 69:9 NLT)

(With which your enemies mock, O Lord, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed. Psalms 89:51 ESV)

(They will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and his people. The Lord as spoken! Isaiah 25:8 NLT)

40. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness. (Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life. Psalms 119:149 ESV)

(Please my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! Psalms 119:154 ESV)

(I am overwhelmed continually with a desire for your laws. Psalms 119:20 NLT)

Psalms 119:33-40 NIV

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Revelation 21: God's Glorious City

For this city was made entirely of the purest gold and shimmered with every hue of gem and pearl. In fact, each of its portals was carved from one voluminous pearl a piece. The sentries were angels. Every part of the city was foursquare, infinitely stable

[martyschoenleber]

Worst Trade Ever

We are a sports dominated culture like no culture before us. I include myself. A day isn’t complete for me in the Spring, Summer or Fall without an update on how the Phillies did. Ditto for the Fall and Winter in relation to the Philadelphia Eagles. Both those major sports sometime have so-called “Blockbuster Trades.” So maybe this metaphor makes sense to many. Here’s my version of the worst…

[bojackson54]

Unbelievable! The Woman Who Believed in a Preposterous Message

Almost every Christmas pageant contains the Angel’s appearance to Mary. Luke’s narrative about Mary’s conversation with Gabriel described her reaction to some pretty unbelievable news. If you think about it, there is much to learn from Mary’s response to God’s messenger. (And BTW, the Greek word for angel is anggelos, or messenger—simply put, a courier who brings a message, or a word from someone…

[touchofgoddotworld]

Refuse the Devil's Delivery of Anxious Thoughts and Turn Your Day Around (266) - October 5 2024

Choose your Podcast App to Play this episode According to Proverbs 15:15 (AMPC): ‘All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].’ This week we focus on guarding our hearts and minds, so that what we think, believe and ponder on remains fixed on that which lines up…