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Osama bin Laden is Dead

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 02 May 2011 Current Events 0 Comments

Osama bin Laden is Dead
Now what? He is dead but al Qaeda is still alive and well. The question is, does his death change anything? Will it make him a martyr? Will that increase anger at the US? These are definitely some really tough questions. Should we all be happy that he is dead? I am given pause when I remember Proverbs 24:17.

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice” (NIV)

A question that always pops into my mind when people judge people is, “How does Jesus view that person?” I am reminded of that question in this situation as well. How does Jesus view Osama bin Laden? Jesus sees him as a man in need of a savior. He sees him as someone He died for. He sees him as someone He loved. The obvious question then is, how should I see Osama bin Laden? I can’t help but think that had bin Laden experienced true Christian love, his life would have been radically different and that even the events of 9-11-01 may have been avoided.

I think we forget that our enemy is not ourselves (the human race). In this instance, our enemy is a philosophy; a philosophy of hate and revenge and selfishness on both sides. The only weapon against such an enemy is love. I know it sounds like a 1960s’ clich, but it is, logically, the only answer.

So, who is our real enemy?

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My Thoughts on Proverbs

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 22 June 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

This is a continuation of my ongoing report. I recently decided to listen to the Bible in an effort to gain a closer relationship with God. I purposefully listen not with the intent to study. I have a hard time reading the Bible I just start looking things up and I don't make much progress. I am listening to the Bible Experience (http://www.inspiredby.com/) which is a dramatized NIV version with many famous African American leaders, singers, actors and artists. (Even Samuel L. Jackson) As I listen through the Bible, hopefully I will make it all the way through, I will post notes and thoughts I have.

Solomon wrote the book, which makes sense because people would come from all over the world to hear him. It is easier to write a book. However, all of them were not written by Solomon.

This book is worth listening to again.

Some wisdom for you:

Avoid sinners

Listen to parents

Fools hate knowledge

Honor your word

Wisdom is like woman

Give

Watch out for pride

People sharpen each other

Other things:

Attitude of wise person

Peace and prosperity

Simple verses prudent

Dispute resolution

Who you associate with

Hard work

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My Thoughts on Psalms

by Donald E. Hester on Wednesday, 17 June 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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This book is a very interesting if you think of it as someone talking about their relationship with God. Many of the phrases are ones I have heard before.

I noticed up to this point why is Jacob called Jacob and Israel on an inconsistent basis.

Chapter 22 sounds like Jesus on the cross. Way to accurate. Crazy accurate.

One point talked about was you may think that you got away with it just because judgment was not swift. Watch out it is coming.

There is a total range of emotion covered in this book. Happy and sadness. Some of the psalms are deeply emotional.

I had notes on the following Psalms 34, 42, 46, 50, 22, 34, 26, 51, 58, 73, 78, 83, 97, 99 102, 105 & 127

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My Thoughts on Job

by Donald E. Hester on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

flower

The book starts off with a different feeling than it has at the end. The beginning seems to remind me Gilgamesh. When it gets into the discourses with his friends reminds me more of the style of Psalms or Proverbs.

Where is the land of Uz? It is East of the writer.

Is this is a true story or an metaphorical story or parable?

A number of people groups are mentioned who came and stole and killed. Who were those groups and where were they from?

Job shaved his head. Who used this custom? In we know we can determine the culture of Job.

His wife recommended he curse God and die. What a great supporter!

The Good God and the Evil Devil sort of remind me of Zoroaster's theology. However, Zoroaster would have been dated after Abraham. I guess it depends on the dating of this book.

Job friends had a concept they kept arguing. Their point was that if you do good, good should follow and if you do bad than bad should follow. Thus if bad things are happening to Job then he must have done something bad. I think this was also a point of Zoroastrianism. Which is funny that Job is a counter point to the Zoroastrian theology. Also in Zoroastrianism the good and bad Gods were equal in power. Another counterpoint in Job is that God and the devil are not equal. In Job the Devil starts off in the book but by the end of the book he is absent.

You can still hear the arguments of the Jobs so called friends from people today.

What are the Cohorts of Rehab? Would this help date the book.

Chapter 10 there is a call out for a savior

Is God teaching Job? Us? Satan? Or all of us a lesson?

Ch 16 My advocate is on high. Is this messianic? Or ch 19 I know that my redeemer lives?

Bronze tip arrow mentioned. May help in dating.

Ch 27 The phrase 'breath of God in his nostrils,' reminds me of Adam.

Good Question asked by Job. Where is wisdom and understanding. You can't find it or buy it.

God alone knows Wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom (CH28)

God talks many ways, even dreams. Sickness and troubles are another way God talks to us.

A number of scientific statements are made.

Stretching out the heavens, sound like the expanding universe

The ocean currents

Water cycle

Leviathan

Constellations Mentioned

Behemoth

Water erodes stone

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My Thoughts on Ezra, Nehemiah & Ester

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 06 April 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

alt This is a continuation of my ongoing report. I recently decided to listen to the Bible in an effort to gain a closer relationship with God. I purposefully listen not with the intent to study. I have a hard time reading the Bible I just start looking things up and I don't make much progress. I am listening to the Bible Experience (http://www.inspiredby.com/) which is a dramatized NIV version with many famous African American leaders, singers, actors and artists. (Even Samuel L. Jackson) As I listen through the Bible, hopefully I will make it all the way through, I will post notes and thoughts I have.

Similar account to the book of Kings just with a different perspective.

Book of Ezra

This book carries on right after 2 Chronicles as if it is the same book. There is a mention of some stuff that was taken out of the temple by Babylon that had been returned. The is a number of 666 in the number of people. Also, there is a list of Jews who have returned.

Persian rules are also listed, specifically Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Same Persian leaders who invaded Greece and had it out with King Leonidas and 300 Spartans.

I noticed that the Persians kept good records. It comes up again in Ester. One would think some of these records must exist. Unfortunately, if they exist still they are in Muslim hands and not likely to see the light of day if they have not already destroyed any records.

Sounds, like the Persians worked to keep their subjects happy. Helps to keep insurrection down. Like the Romans idea of bread and circus.

I also got the impression the Persians cared about the 'God of Heaven'?

Some of the exiles intermarried and returned with.

Book of Nehemiah

Nehemiah is a contemporary of Ezra. I wonder if it was written before Ezra or if it was written around the same time.

There are a number of references to places and a map would have been useful. In fact you could make a map of it. There are multiple accounts of the same stories. Is it to have a spread spectrum idea? In other words if you tell a story multiple time if the story is lost in one place it still exists in another.

The City was locked down to keep people from working on the Sabbath. Nehemiah was upset at those who took foreign wives and had children who could not speak Hebrew. In fact he beat them and pulled their hair.

Book of Ester

This happens during the reign of Xerxes. There is a description of where he lived and how far his kingdom was and what his palace it’s like. He drank a lot and allowed people to drink liberally.

The Queen refused to see the king and she fell out of favor. He took away her royal position.

Sound like it is after Daniel. They talked about India and Cush.

Learned that the Kings edict cannot be revoked. They came up with a with an alternative decree.

Haman for whatever reason hated Jews and tricked the king in to having them all killed. Tables are turned on him by Ester, well by God who used Ester. He was the one who was hung at the end.

The 14 or 15 of Adar was made as a holiday of when the Jews were saved from a holocaust.

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My Thoughts on 2 Chronicles

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 09 March 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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Similar account to the book of Kings just with a different perspective.

What does it mean when it says cubit of the old standard?

Need to know the date of the book in order to understand what is meant by the Ark is still there?

Explains why the temple was destroyed, it was because they rejected God.

Not much is said about Sheba queen of Ethiopia. Nothing is said if she had a son with Solomon.

Solomon ruled to the Euphrates River. It did not last long after him.

Chapter 10 was another example of a failure to lead like a servant.

What is the difference between seer verses prophet? Chapter 12.

Arabs are mentioned the first time as I recall in Chapter 17.

To help date the book the phrase 'To this day Edom has been in rebellion to this day.'

Chapter 21 what is the disease talked about? Sounds gross.

"...severe sickness, a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out…" NASB (2 Ch 21:15)

Chapter 24 speaking God's truth can lead to death.

I like the phrase did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but not wholeheartedly. It just sounds funny.

Hezekiah sounds like he was a great king. Seems like greater detail as it gets deeper in the book. More on Hezekiah than other books.

They kept on destroying idols; they seem to crop up like weeds.

Woman prophet in chapter 34.

Who is Neco king of Egypt?

Ark of the Covenant update:

Apparently the ark, or a ark was around hidden someplace and then it was placed in the temple during King Josiah reign. This was just before Babylon invaded.

"He also said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it will be a burden on your shoulders no longer. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel. " NASB (2 Ch 35:3)

When you read this, you get the idea that the Ark was hidden and then brought out. When was it hidden? Where was it hidden? During Hezekiah's reign, they found the book of Moses in the temple. Could it be that the Ark was hidden near or under the temple?

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My Thoughts on 1 Chronicles

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 02 March 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

flame This is a continuation of my ongoing report. I recently decided to listen to the Bible in an effort to gain a closer relationship with God. I purposefully listen not with the intent to study. I have a hard time reading the Bible I just start looking things up and I don't make much progress. I am listening to the Bible Experience (http://www.inspiredby.com/) which is a dramatized NIV version with many famous African American leaders, singers, actors and artists. (Even Samuel L. Jackson) As I listen through the Bible, hopefully I will make it all the way through, I will post notes and thoughts I have.

The book dates itself to the Babylonian captivity. Makes me think it was someone from Judah who wrote it.

The book of the Kings of Judah and the book of the kings of Israel are referenced again. (First referenced in 1 and 2 Kings).

The book claims to be a partial genealogy that more of the genealogy is in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel. Also stated genealogy information was also kept in the local towns.

This book gets into King David's rule of Israel.

There is a story of someone who was stuck down for touching the ark. I always wondered why if he was only being helpful.

God blessed those to had the Ark.

Some of the stories are coved in other books but from a different point of view. I wonder why?

God gives military advice.

King David wore a linen Ephod. Why? King and priest illusion?

David made a new tent for the Ark, I was wondering what happened to the original tent. Well it is talked about later in 2 Chronicles.

Satan is mentioned, it has been a bit of time since he was last mentioned.

David had a great speech. He said he would not sacrifice to God something that cost him nothing. A man after Gods own heart.

David reorganized the Levi priests because some of the jobs were not needed since the ark was not moving around regularly.

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My Thoughts on the Ark of the Covenant

by Donald E. Hester on Sunday, 01 March 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Ark

I have set aside a post for the Ark of the Covenant. Mostly because I have always been fascinated with it; ever since I saw Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Childhood dreams and wishes it was still around and that I could be the one to find it. What a pipe dream.

The temple dedication is the last chronological reference to the Ark of the Covenant. The contents are listed as the stones of the Covenant.

The next reference (familiar to anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.)

The next vague reference is to the raid on the temple by Pharaoh Shishak. Sheshonk I (c. 945-924 BC) may or may not be the "Shishak" of the Old Testament (I Kings 14:25-28; II Chronicles 12:2-12). A quick internet search on Google reveled two opposing ideas of who Shishak is.

www.specialtyinterests.net/sheshonk.html

http://www.drfalesbaa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=31

The account of Shishak raiding the temple does not specifically mention the ark but it says he stole all the temple treasures. If Sheshonk had taken it, he would have promoted it everywhere and we would no doubt see it written of in his tomb. Egyptians love to write of their victories especially over other gods.

When Titus destroyed the second temple, he advertised that he took the holy relics. You can see them to this day on the Arch of Titus. Antiochus Epiphanes stole one when he plundered the temple and a new one had to be made, which would have been the one that Titus took. The point being these were important pieces and when they were taken; it was clear and documented who did the taking.

Another theory I have heard was that Solomon sent the Ark to Ethiopia with his son. In fact, the Ethiopians claim to this day it is in the Chapel of the Tablet in Axum, Ethiopia.

"As the story goes, the Queen of Sheba, one of Ethiopia's first rulers, traveled to Jerusalem to partake of King Solomon's wisdom. On her way home, she bore the king's son, Menelik. After Menelik went to Jerusalem to visit his father, Solomon gave him a copy of the Ark and commanded that officials of his kingdom travel back to Ethiopia to settle there. But the royal entourage that was traveling to Ethiopia could not bear to be away from the Ark, so they switched the copy with the original and smuggled the real thing out of the country. Menelik learned of this only on his way home and reasoned that since the Ark's powers hadn't destroyed his entourage, it must be God's will that it remain in Ethiopia. " Pasted from <http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080705/news_1c05ark.html>

Other people think that it was taken before or after the Babylonia captivity.

Here is a clue that it may have still have been in the Temple. Sennacherib planned to take Judah and sent a letter blaspheming God. Hezekiah took the scroll to the Temple of the Lord:

"Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth." NASB (2 Kings 19:15)

Are the Cherubim the ones on the ark or the ones that were part of the temple? Given the past kings desecrated the temple, to the point they did not know they had the book of Moses in the temple. All over the temple area idols were setup and priest of the other gods were setup there. Could the Ark have still been there?

To me it sounds like it was hidden for a reason. For what purpose I can only speculate.

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My Thoughts on 2 Kings

by Donald E. Hester on Wednesday, 25 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Dating the book based on statements in the book. The book goes up until the captivity of Judah to Babylon. Ends abruptly at that point. Talks about Israel being deported by Assyria and that they were still there.

Military blunder, they ran out of water on a military campaign against Moab.

In chapter 4, a man of God tells a woman that in a year she will have a child. I got the feeling he may have been the father.

Later he raised the child from the dead. I wonder was he dead or in a coma?

Elisha feeds many like Jesus does in the New Testament.

Seems like there is an illusion of John the Baptist as well when he tells someone to wash in the Jordon to be cured.

In chapter 5 someone asks for forgiveness in bowing to other Gods for when he returns to his master he will be required too.

Elisha had an invisible army in Chapter 6.

When the city was under siege, the people started to resort to cannibalism.

The Bible talks about two powers the Hittite and Egypt. At one time skeptics felt the Bible was in error because there was no know record of the Hittites. We found them. Guess the skeptics were wrong.

Jezebel's servants tossed her out the window. Makes my point on my last post. Everyone must have hated her. I bet she was mean to her servants.

In chapter 11, there is a woman ruler. Another slam against feminist claims the bible is patriarchal.

What is an Asheroth Pole?

Why did people sacrifice their children? Was it used as a form of birth control? Is it a misunderstanding transmitted from ancient times where by they understood the need of a sacrifice for forgiveness? It could be a really bad game of telephone. (The game you tell a secret to one person and they pass it on, and then they pass it on, and so on until only a remnant of the original message if any at all still exists.)

The King of Assyria was at peace with Judah but took Israel.

Hezekiah made a tunnel for water in Jerusalem, we know where it is to this day.

Hezekiah was showing his riches to Babylonians. Big security risk, and it turned out to be true.

King Manassah was evil in God's sight. He setup an Asheroth pole in the Temple of the Lord.

Babylon then took Judah and took all the leaders and educated people out of Judah. Many were killed. Some fled to Egypt.

Strange reference that one of the kings of Judah was set up like a leader in Babylon, he sat at the kings table after a time in prison. I wonder if they maintained the kingship of the concurred territories as a means to control the people in those lands. While the King is with the 'Emperor' of Babylon the people in the territory had a legitimate king and Babylon had a strangle hold on them.

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My Thoughts on 2 Samuel & 1 Kings

by Donald E. Hester on Monday, 23 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Bible Books This is a continuation of my ongoing report. I recently decided to listen to the Bible in an effort to gain a closer relationship with God. I purposefully listen not with the intent to study. I have a hard time reading the Bible I just start looking things up and I don't make much progress. I am listening to the Bible Experience (http://www.inspiredby.com/) which is a dramatized NIV version with many famous African American leaders, singers, actors and artists. (Even Samuel L. Jackson) As I listen through the Bible, hopefully I will make it all the way through, I will post notes and thoughts I have.

2 Samuel

The book of Jasher (Asher) is referenced again. If it is reference, isn't it important? Some claim it was in the Dead Sea scrolls. I need to check on that.

Somebody's last words were recorded, I thought it was David's but then it didn't sound like it. I must have misheard.

I get lost in all the names of groups of people.

Gad and Nathan the prophet are talked about. Gad seems to have a minor roll. Do we have more info on this person?

God gave David 3 options. That was nice. That he had a choice is the nice part. What the options were may not have been.

David saw the angel of the lord when he was taking lives? Is this figurative or literal?

(I lost some of my notes on 2 Samuel. If I find them, I will post them and title them 'The Lost Notes on 2 Samuel')

1 Kings

Solomon put to death his father’s enemies. His brother for asking for a wife. Not just for asking for a wife it was the same brother who tried to take the throne before David was dead.

Solomon took Pharos daughter for a wife to have peace with Egypt.

How old was Solomon when he took the throne? Sounds like he was young.

Solomon asked God for wisdom. I too ask God for wisdom, although God did not ask me in a dream.

Much description on the building of the temple and palace. How the wood was floated in the water to be transported to the types of tools used and weights and measurements. We even see that the know π or they just measured the circumference and diameter and could have know π.

Many halls were built including a Hall of Justice.

Cherubim were used as decorations everywhere. What do they look like? Do we have any surviving examples?

God's response to the temple sounded like a prophecy of its destruction. He would always be there, unless Israel worshiped other gods in which case God would leave and leave the temple in rubble.

1 Kings 12 was a good example of servant leadership that was missed.

Solomon had a navy

Number of other books references, the annals of King Solomon, the annals of the kings of Israel and the annals of the kings of Judah. These books sound like historical accounts and make it sound as if the books of the Bible are an account of what God was doing in the midst of the historical events. If these books are found people would no doubt see what they think is not the same story and that the Bible is more speculation on the events. I could see people coming to this conclusion but I don't think it is that way.

Solomon married wives that God told the Israelites not to marry because they would lead them astray. How could a man of such wisdom fall into this trap?

It sounds like toward the end of his life he was not walking with God.

There is a reference in 1 Kings 14 where God took the life of a, Abijah, son of Jeroboam because he was the only good one in the family. This is an interesting twist.

“All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam." 1 Kings 14:13 NASB

Male shrine prostitutes were all over the holy land. At times, they were run out. Makes me wonder about STDs back then. People must have had major issues with STDs.

I think that Christians often run to fast and loose in applying some of these narrative accounts to the Church. I think we have to be very careful in doing applying Old Testament stuff to the Church, even more so when it is a narrative account. It is far too easy to take a narrative account out of context.

The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is great. He even taunts them. He must have had a sense of humor. "Maybe Baal is sleeping, maybe you should shout louder." The point of this story is what Elijah did was not of his own accord it was for God glory.

What was the issue with Elijah going down mount Horeb? Horeb is another name for Mt. Sinai and it is about 40 days or so away from Beersheba. This would be useful in locating Mt. Sinai.

Jezebel is a total bitch. Sorry, I don't have another word for it. She wasn't very nice or she was mean does not cut it. I have known women like this and now I know why they call some women Jezebel.

I will put my comments on the Ark on a different blog post.

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My Thoughts on 1 Samuel

by Donald E. Hester on Wednesday, 18 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Torah Scroll

1st Samuel

What does it mean when it says Samuel did not know the Word of the Lord when he was young?

Israel wanted a king and asked Samuel for one. He tried to talk them out of it and God said they rejected Him not Samuel. Samuel warned about following a man and not God. However, they insisted. It made me wonder how many times instead of being lead by God we turn to man to lead us. Isn't that similar to the Pope? Instead of letting God lead us we wanted a man to lead us.

It appears the Ark of the Covent has moved around a bit.

Warfare seems to be the same as it is today. Keep technology out of the hands of your enemies. The Philistines had blacksmiths but Jews were not allowed to have blacksmiths.

This word ephod (אֵפֹד) kept coming up David used it to ask guidance of God. I was think it was the priests outfit from Exodus. I looked it up and I was right. Doesn't it sound strange that David would call for the vestments of the priest to ask guidance of God? Could it be that it is a figure of speech for something different?

Many of the people asked God for a sign and He granted the signs. The point is people said if this turns out this way you want me to make this choice. Why don't we do this today?

God's favor left Saul after he disobeyed God. Samuel confronted Saul and told him that he had not followed what God told him to do and Saul argued that he did follow what God wanted he just had a different interpretation.

Glimpses of God's character in this book

God said He is not a human that He should change His mind.

God looks at a man’s heart not his/her appearance.

God sent an evil spirit on Saul. What type of spirit? Is this literal or figurative? Was it what we would call mental illness?

Why did David pick up 5 stones when he went to slay Goliath?

Can a sling kill a man? Yes it can, I saw it on the History channel.

Why did Saul ask who David was after he killed Goliath? He tried to put the armor on David to go fight Goliath? Was it a rhetorical question? Did Saul have mental issues? Is the story out of chronological order?

Saul wanted to have the Philistines kill David and offered his daughter to him if David would bring back 100 Philistines foreskins. Why foreskins? That is actually gross.

Jonathan is good friend with David. They were very close. Was there something more to their relationship?

Saul's daughter David's wife help David escape and placed an idol in the bed so they would think it was David. Is it just me that wonders why there is an idol readily available in David's house? David may have been living in the house of Saul. Still, do they just have idols lying around everywhere?

David made an interesting statement in chapter 21 when he says his men's bodies are holy (clean) even when their mission is not?

David could have killed Saul twice and did not.

Do we know where Samuel was buried?

The witch of Endor (was she an Ewok?) Did she actually summon up Samuel? How?

Samuel told Saul he would be with him. Where was Samuel after he died that Saul should be with him?

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My Thoughts on Joshua, Judges and Ruth

by Donald E. Hester on Saturday, 14 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Old Bible

The Book of Joshua

The inhabitants of Canaan where aware of everything that was happening to the Israelites and that God promised the lad to them. This is evidenced by Rehab in Chapter 2.

Does Joshua meet Jesus (Joshua) in chapter 5? (Told to take of sandals because he was on holy ground)

Is Joshua a prototype of Jesus?

Why was Rehab placed outside the camp? Was it to keep Israel clean? She is a gentile that God blesses.

Dating the writing of the book of Joshua.

Mentioned Israel respect Joshua all the days of his life. Therefore, who ever wrote it did so after his death.

Mentioned in Chapter 6 that Rehab still lived among the Israelites, which means it was written before she passed away.

They lost a battle because one of them stole plunder from Jericho. (Chapter 7) After that, the next city, Ai, God allows them to take plunder (Chapter 8). The man who stole died for taking plunder and he could have had plunder if he waited.

References the Book of the Law of Moses, what was that? (Chapter 8) Was it the Torah? (That is what I assume)

The sun stood still in the sky. How and why?

1. It could only be the axis of the earth changed it. That would, however, have changed the zodiac procession and would have been noted in other ancient texts.

2. Could it have been a figure of speech or metaphor? If so, what does it mean and how would we find it out?

3. Could a large asteroid or planet have had a close fly by and slowed or stopped the rotation of the earth? This seems the most probable and a number of scholars have suggested it was Mars.

Another book was referenced, the book of Asher. Is it lost? What did it say? Was it a history book and not considered part of the Holy Scriptures?

I really needed a map to reference all the places in the book of Joshua. So many places were referenced. It would help validate the historicity if the places are all located. Many of them are still in existence. Difficult for Muslims to claim that the Jews were not in the Holy land.

Chapter 24 the Jews chose to follow the Lord and Joshua said that their words would testify against them.

Judges, the book opens with the Israelites still having to clear the land. Some stuff is retold from Joshua.

There is a story of cutting off the toes and thumbs. What is that all about?

Continuously the Israelites forget God and do not follow His law and He punished them and then sends a Judge to restore them. This is in accordance with the covenant Israel entered with God.

Deborah was a prophet and a Judge for the people of Israel. So much for the evil patriarchal society that the feminists complain about.

Gideon asked God for two signed to know if God really was telling Him what to do. God gave them the sign.

Samson was a Nazarite. His mother was told not to drink while she was pregnant. Today with modern medical science has found that women should not drink during pregnancy.

Strange sex crime in Judges 19, which led to a full-scale retaliation and Israel almost destroyed the family of Benjamin.

The book of Ruth has an interesting story. A story written in the time a David as it explains that David is a descendant. The King of Israel has gentile blood. The kinsmen redeemer Boaz an Israelite redeems a gentile.

What is meant by Ruth uncovered Boaz feet?

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My Thoughts on Numbers and Deuteronomy

by Donald E. Hester on Friday, 13 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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Repeats, reiterates or restates the same stuff repeatedly through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

God says a number of times to Israel is to remember they were slaves in Egypt as a reason to treat others well.

God mentions many times that this is a covenant between God and Israel; in addition, there is blessings for following His law and punishment for failing.

The Book of Numbers put me to sleep more than once. However, it is there for a reason. Just not sure what the reason is.

I am not 100% sure that between the 4 books that everything is in Chronological order. Narrative accounts are scattered throughout.

A couple of interesting topics covered were:

God says to treat the foreigner in their land with kindness because He loves them. (A solution to the Arab Israeli conflict?)( Deut. 10:18-19)
God's advice to future king of Israel (Saul and David most have missed it. It is written as if God knew they would do what they did, oh that’s right He did know what they would do.) (Deut 17)
God has rules for military engagements (Deut 20)
God has rules for how to deal with false prophets (Deut 18)
Reference to people hung on a pole and that they are cursed (referenced to Jesus crucifixion) (Deut. 21)
God covers rule for Polygamy (Deut. 21)
God covers issues of cross-dressing (Deut. 22)
Rules for clothing
God does not like dishonesty at all.
God lays out what will happen if Israel does not follow the agreement (covenant) mainly that the Jews will be displaced from the land. When they repent and after a predetermined time they would be restored to the land.
God tells them He knows they will fall astray (Deut 31)

Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy is a covenant between God and Israel. It is not a covenant between God and the Church or God and anyone else. Does that mean it is not applicable? I think yes and no. It is not applicable; however many of the laws are universal and they give us a glimpse of God character. Very clear in Deut 29 it is with Israel and descendants. It is as if the OT reveals God's nature of Justice and the NT reveals God's nature of grace and Love.

Context of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

Establishment of a Theocracy
Covenant between God and Israel
Narrative accounts mixed with legal decrees mixed with prophecies
Ancient Middle East Cultural context - between nomads and Egypt

About the photo: The picture is of some old Bibles I have that are starting to come apart. Taken at a unique angle for deeper perspective.

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Christian Hypocrisy

by Donald E. Hester on Saturday, 31 January 2009 Apologetics 0 Comments

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"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." - DC Talk "What if I Stumble?"

1. Hypocrisy does not invalidate a truth claim. Atheists claim Christian hypocrisy is evidence against the existence of God. It is a fallacy to claim that a position is incorrect based upon the fact that the persons personal habits do not conform to the position. For example, if I claim that smoke is harmful for your health and I smoke you could claim that I am wrong. However, the truth of the claim that smoking is bad for your health is not predicated on adherence to the expected response.

Many Atheist do understand that the hypocrisy does not invalidate the truth claim. However, all the big Atheists use Christian hypocrisy parading it around in their book, articles, podcasts and blogs. It is the piñata they love to beat, and they never miss the opportunity. While I listened to debates Dan Barker, Richard Dawkins, Austin Dacey, Frank Zindler, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Brian Edwards, John Shook, Peter John and Sam Harris, they never failed to mention it.

2. Many Atheists hold humanistic position that man is generally good. (Never mind that fact they claim that all the evil in the world is evidence against God) Christian hypocrisy is evidence that people are sinners not saints. Christian hypocrisy proves people are not perfect as the Bible states. The Bible claims the opposite of the humanistic position that man is generally good. In fact, the Bible claims that man is sinful and left to himself will become more and more evil.

The Christian position is that once a person is saved they are not instantly perfect. There is a process of renewal, a metamorphosis, moving toward perfection. The process is called sanctification. Sanctification is the process whereby God through the Holy Spirit gently moves us in the right direction. In addition, total perfection is not obtained in this life. It is not until we die that we are glorified. Salvation, being saved, is a position not a practical experience of perfection. It naturally follows that Christians would not be perfect and given to hypocrisy.

Christian hypocrisy does not deny the existence of God or the truth of the Bible. It proves that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Christians should not condone the hypocrisy, just understand it is a part of living in a fallen (imperfect) world.

"I despise my own behavior; this only serves to confirm my suspicions that I am still a man in need of a Savior." DC Talk "In The light"

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My Thoughts on Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus

by Donald E. Hester on Wednesday, 28 January 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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I recently decided to listen to the Bible in an effort to gain a closer relationship with God. I purposefully listen not with the intent to study. I have a hard time reading the Bible I just start looking things up and I don't make much progress. I am listening to the Bible Experience (http://www.inspiredby.com/) which is a dramatized NIV version with many famous African American leaders, singers, actors and artists. (Even Samuel L. Jackson) As I listen through the Bible, hopefully I will make it all the way through, I will post notes and thoughts I have.

The book of Genesis

I had a number of thoughts as I listened to this book here are just a few.

1. I was wondering why Isaac was told not to go back to his Fathers native land but Isaac but Jacob did not have the same restriction. Why?

2. As I listened, I may have missed it, however I think I noticed that God did not talk to Isaac. I remember He talked to Abraham and Jacob. He talked to Isaac's wife but not him? As far as I can remember. I need to look it up later, unless someone knows.

3. The Order of Melchizedek. A priest and king who worshiped God prior to Abraham and Moses. So we have at least 4 manifestations of our religion. Enoch, the Order of Melchizedek, Judaism and Christianity.

4. Sounds like the Order of Melchizedek predates Zoroaster.

5. Rachel, why did she steal the idols from her father's home when she was leaving? Why didn't she get caught? Does it symbolize us when we harbor old habits?

6. Why do so many people lie and say that their wife is their sister to keep from being killed?

7. Why did Jacob adopt Joseph's two sons?

8. What is up with the number 12 and why is there always a weird 13th thing related to it? What is the apple of gold for the significance 12?

9. What happened that the Order of Melchizedek in the 500 years after Abraham and by the time Israel entered the holy land.

The books of Exodus and Leviticus

1. God made a number of laws for Israel. Many of them seem to focus on actions that happen and how to balance them out. Like eye for an eye. Lots of judicial items repeated.

2. The law was a covenant with Israel and God said if they did not obey they would be put into exile. In Lev 26 He even says the amount of time they would be in exile. (Lev26)

3. What is the significance of the Tabernacle, its dimensions and layout.

4. Is there a outline someplace of the different types of laws in the OT?

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