Category Archives: OLD TESTAMENT

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, NUMBERS

HOW MANY ISRAELITES WHO LEFT EGYPTIAN BONDAGE ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND? — BOB PRICHARD

After being freed from Egyptian bondage, the Israelites made their way to Canaan, the promised land. When they arrived at the border of Canaan, Moses chose twelve men (one from each tribe) to go and spy out the land. After forty days of searching the land, Caleb reported, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it,” but the report of the majority was an “evil report.”  They said, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:30-31). Only one other spy, Joshua, stood with Caleb against the other ten spies. Unfortunately, the people chose to accept the majority report, and prepared to stone Joshua and Caleb.

God’s anger was kindled against the people because of their faithless decision. He told Moses to tell his murmuring people, “Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun” (Numbers 14:29-30).

God’s condemnation of their unbelief meant that they had to spend forty extra years wandering in the wilderness. During that time, “all that were numbered … from twenty years old and upward” died in the wilderness. The only exceptions among those who were “numbered” were Joshua and Caleb. It is often thought that only two (Joshua and Caleb) of all the thousands who left Egypt were able to enter the promised land. The group that was condemned to die during the wilderness wandering, however, was those who had been numbered. This would not include the entire population, but was limited to those fighting men who had been numbered (counted for battle). God had told Moses, “Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies” (Numbers 1:2-3). This did not include women or the entire tribe of Levi, who were not fighting men or spies.

When the Israelites arrived again at the promised land forty years later, under the leadership of Joshua, Joshua had to circumcise all of the males, because “All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt” (Joshua 5:4). Numbers 34:17 indicates that not all of the priests and Levites would die during the forty years of wandering, because God told Moses that the high priest Eleazar, the son of Aaron, would join Joshua in dividing the conquered land. Later, after Israel had captured Canaan, “they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun” (Joshua 17:4) to receive their portions of the promised land. Thus Israelites who left Egypt, and were allowed to enter the promised land included Joshua, Caleb, Eleazar, and an unknown number of women and Levites.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, GENESIS, OLD TESTAMENT

WITH ONLY EIGHT ON THE ARK,  WHERE DID THE RACES COME FROM? — BOB PRICHARD

Genesis 7:13 gives us the census of people that were on the ark: “In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark.” With these four men and four women, the earth was repopulated after the flood. Sin necessitated the flood. It was a time when “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:11-12).

The Bible does not tell us when the races originated. It is possible that the races developed from the division of mankind at the tower of Babel, although Moses only says that God confounded their language and scattered them abroad (Genesis 11:1-9). As people scattered and separated, the races could have developed from the gene pool in each area. As people intermarried within a region, certain racial characteristics developed, as well as individual languages.

Modern science has tried to differentiate among the races, recognizing four basic races: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid and Australoid. The problem with these classifications, however, is that the dominant characteristics that are specific to a race, such as skin color or hair type, are found in the other racial groups. Skin color,  the most obvious racial characteristic, is determined primarily by the amount of melanin in the skin. Thus a “white” person may actually have darker skin than a “black” person. Although general racial characteristics may predominate among certain populations, all human beings are part of the same species, the human race.

We know that all human beings have come from the original man and woman, Adam and Eve, and also that all living human beings are descendants of Noah and his family. Paul declared that God “made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation” (Acts 17:26 ASV). The words “of one,” literally mean “out of one male,” thus Adam. All mankind has descended from Adam.

Since all human beings have descended from the eight on the ark, then all racial characteristics must have been available in the genetic makeup of Noah and his family. Some suggest that Shem and his descendants were Asian, thus Mongoloid; Ham and his descendants were African, thus Negroid; and Japheth and his descendants were European, and thus Caucasoid. More likely, however, Noah and all of his family were a combination of all of our modern day races. The separation into current races was gradual over time.

Neither the biblical nor the non-biblical evidence supports the evolutionary theory, coming from racial prejudice, that the races descended from different primates or “prehuman” men. Since all races of humans can intermarry, all humans are interrelated, with the same ancestry in Adam and Eve.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

DOES EXODUS 21 ALLOW FOR ABORTION? — BOB PRICHARD

No. Exodus 21 is sometimes cited as evidence that the Bible allows for abortion. Some say that Exodus 21 allows for abortion because it suggests that the life of the unborn child is of less value than the life of the mother. This passage deals with accidental injury to a pregnant woman, while abortion is the intentional killing of an unborn child. Exodus 21 actually teaches that the life of the mother and child are both protected by God’s laws.

Here is what Exodus 21:22-25 says: “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

Simply put, what the passage describes is a situation where men are fighting and during the fighting injure a pregnant woman [possibly an innocent bystander or one intervening to stop the fight]. If “her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow,” the man is fined, but “if any mischief follow,” then the more severe “life for life, eye for eye” punishment follows.

Some teach that “her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow” means that the mother has a miscarriage, and loses the child, which is punished with a fine. While “if any mischief follow” means that the woman herself dies or is severely injured. This explanation is not true to the text, or reason. Miscarriage is extremely traumatic to any mother.

What “her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow,” refers to is a premature birth, in which neither the mother or child suffers serious injury. How could the death of an unborn child be considered “no mischief”? The fine was imposed because of the threat to the life of the mother and child caused by the negligence of the fighting men. Some modern translators have inserted the word “miscarriage” in verse 22, the Hebrew word used in the text means birth, not miscarriage. [There is a different word for Hebrew word for miscarriage, which Moses used in Exodus 23:26, translated “cast their young” in the KJV]. Notice the clear meaning in the NIV: “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she give birth prematurely, but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows” (Exodus 21:22).

The phrase “if any mischief follow” (Exodus 21:23) does not make any distinction between the mother and the unborn child. The “life for life, eye for eye” law applied equally. In fact, if any distinction is being made between the mother and the child, the more natural understanding is that “if any mischief follow” applies more directly to the child than the mother, because the focus of the passage is on what happens when “the fruit” departs from the mother. Significantly, the law of Exodus 21:22-25 applied as harshly to the accidental death or injury of the unborn child as it does to the intentional death or injury of any other innocent person. Exodus 21 upholds the value of innocent life. Abortion destroys innocent life.

BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING, GENESIS

NO RAINBOWS AT NOON — BOB PRICHARD

Rainbows are caused by the refraction (bending) of light through raindrops. The water droplets divide light into the seven basic colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, but actually many other minor colors as well. Primary rainbows appear between 40 and 42 degrees above the horizon, with the center of the ark directly opposite the sun. Because of this, you cannot see a rainbow at noon, when the sun is directly overhead (David S. Kidder and Noah D. Oppenheim, The Intellectual Devotional, 2006, p. 235).

I cannot verify that I have never observed a rainbow at noon, but I have observed that the rainbows in my life don’t come in the noonday hours of good times. God gave the rainbow as a token of His covenant after the flood, promising that he would not again destroy the earth by a flood. “And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:12–13).

The Lord says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). The yoke he offers is to be yoked with Him. His yoke is easy because He pulls the extra weight in our lives. In the midst of the storm, this is often hard to see. But when the storm passes, new rainbows of joy and comfort come into our lives.

I can trust the future because I have experienced His loving care through the storms of life. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” because I know the Good Shepherd is with me, and that with His rod and staff He will comfort me (Psalm 23:4). The rainbows come—but only after the storm. “Jesus loves me this I know.”

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, OLD TESTAMENT

 WHAT DOES JOB TEACH US ABOUT SUFFERING? — BOB PRICHARD

Victor Hugo said, “Tomorrow, if all literature was to be destroyed, and it was left to me to retain one work only, I should save Job.” The book of Job is valuable for its literary message, but also because it deals with the great themes of life, including the problem of suffering. Job describes the struggles of a righteous man who suffered tremendous pain.

Job’s “friends” afflicted him and criticized him as they blindly believed all suffering is a result of sin. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7) must be true, but it does not always apply to the problem of suffering. Job suffered unmercifully not because of his sin, but because he was a righteous man. The Lord said to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.” Satan answered, “Doth Job fear God for nought?” He contended that Job was only faithful because God blessed and protected him. “Touch all he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face” (Job 1:8-11). From that point on, Satan did all he could to afflict Job and cause him to lose his integrity.

As Job struggled, he begged God for an opportunity to plead his case, ultimately coming to understand that because God is a just and loving God, then he must some day have Someone who would plead his case before God. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:26). He expressed the universal longing for a Savior, which was fulfilled in Christ.

Job did not understand that his afflictions came from Satan, so he was in a constant struggle for understanding. He wanted to know, “Why me?” The answer to human suffering cannot be tied up in a nice, neat package. Righteous Job suffered because Satan afflicted him. But why did God allow it? The atheist says that if God is all loving, and all powerful, then He would stop all suffering. God is all loving, and all powerful, but suffering continues. The righteous suffer today for many reasons—because of the strength that comes from testing and trials, because of the consequences of sin, because of natural law (God does not suspend the law of gravity for the Christian), and because of the sinful choices of others. But sometimes we just do not know why, as Job did not know why.

Job demonstrates, however, that God is worthy of love and reverence even apart from all the blessings He gives us. He knows us and knows what is best for us, even when we do not know and understand. We must trust him because of those things we do understand, such as His love that would send Jesus Christ, that redeemer Job longed for.

BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING, GOD, OLD TESTAMENT

DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER! — BOB PRICHARD

Scientist John Haldane once suggested to theologian Ronald Knox, that in a universe containing millions of planets, it was inevitable that life should appear by chance on at least one of them. Knox replied, “Sir, if Scotland Yard found a body in your Saratoga trunk, would you tell them, ‘There are millions of trunks in the world—surely one of them must contain a body’? I think they still would want to know who put it there.”

With all of the knowledge that science has been able to amass, there is still no clearer or more accurate explanation for how this universe and all the life in it came to be than the words of Moses in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Life is not here by accident!

There is a current scientific movement gaining in popularity which recognizes that our universe shows many marks of Intelligent Design. The I.D. scientific movement has many proponents that are not Christians, in fact some leading scientists are really agnostic—they are not sure if the God of the Bible is the Creator. But they understand that the creation, because of its design, demands a Creator. As David asserted in the long ago, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

In the courtrooms of Dayton, Tennessee, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow debated whether or not teacher John T. Scopes was guilty of teaching evolution in his high school classroom. Scopes was found guilty in the 1925 trial, but public support for forbidding the teaching of a scientific theory like evolution was lost. Now there are those who want to teach the scientific theory of Intelligent Design in our schools. Those in control, however, want to forbid the teaching of I.D. It is Scopes reversed—evolution is the only theory allowed today. Why are people so afraid of considering the evidence for design? We must recognize the power of the Designer!

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING, Proverbs

IS PROVERBS 22:6 A GUARANTEE TO FAITHFUL PARENTS? — BOB PRICHARD

Solomon said, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). These words bring comfort to many parents who understand that the difficult task of parenting will  be rewarded by faithful children, but there are many parents who are filled with guilt and anguish because their children have gone astray, despite their best efforts. Solomon’s words are simple enough, but they just don’t always seem to come true! All too often godly men and women try with all of their ability to be good parents, but still fail. But it must be understood that Proverbs 22:6 is a proverb, not a promise. A proverb is a general statement of a rule, which may have exceptions. Those “exceptions to the rule” cause heartache.  

Implied in “train up a child in the way he should go” are the concepts of providing real training, and knowing “the way he should go.” Sadly, many parents have no concept of “training up a child.” They do little or nothing to provide the necessary spiritual food their children need.  While they may demand that the church train their children spiritually, they see no need to do this themselves as parents. The word here translated as “train up” is used elsewhere in scripture to mean dedicating something or someone to God’s service, as in 1 Kings 8:63, where “the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.” Thus Solomon urges all parents to dedicate and train their children for service.

“In the way he should go” literally means “according to his way.” That is, the training or dedication of the child should be according to his natural personal inclination, abilities, age, and qualifications. The idea of “the way he should go” is not so much the way the parent wants him to go, but the way the child should go so as to maximize his talents in service to God. To actually know “the way he should go” implies that the parent will spend a great deal of time learning the needs, desires, and capabilities of the child. To fulfill the proverb requires tremendous commitment.

That investment of the time, energy, and knowledge necessary for each child is worthwhile, though, because “when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The parent who has made the proper investment of training up the child in the way he should go will know that the child has been properly prepared to live wisely before God.

But what about the child who strays. Have the parents failed? Sadly, many times parents do fail. But just as often, the child that goes astray does so because he exercises his own free will to disobey. Many godly men and women, such as the prophet Samuel, lost their children because their children chose to follow the way of the world.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS, OLD TESTAMENT

WHAT DOES THE TENTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The tenth commandment deals with an “internal” sin, one that may be known only to God and the sinner. It warns against coveting: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting is an evil desire that leads to other sins. James wrote, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). Death is the ultimate result of coveting. Not every desire is sinful. The commandment gives a summary of basic categories of possessions, and condemns the sinful lusting for that which belongs to others.

The sin of coveting has long plagued mankind. The sin of Adam and Eve was not just in the taking of the forbidden fruit, but their desire to “be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4). After their great victory at Jericho, God’s people were defeated at Ai, because of the covetousness of Achan who saw among the spoils of Jericho an expensive garment, silver and gold, which he coveted. He took them, and brought death upon the Israelites and his own family.

Many have fallen when they coveted. Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, and lost his life. David coveted Uriah the Hittite’s wife, Bathsheba, and brought tremendous pain on himself, his family, and his kingdom. Paul spoke of the seriousness of covetousness: “What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence [covetous desires]. For without the law sin was dead” (Romans 7:8).

Covetousness, being a secret sin, is betrayed by actions. The life of the tax collector Zacchaeus betrayed his misplaced priorities, put right by his contact with Christ. Many show the hold covetousness has on them by where they place their treasure. Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Many times a covetous heart is revealed by a conversation that speaks only of money and materialism. Christians who cannot get over their worries may betray an attitude of covetousness, because the kingdom of God is not their first priority. Perhaps even worse, the attitude that “the end justifies the means” betrays a heart of covetousness. No doubt Demas tried to rationalize his sinful behavior. Paul lamented, “Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10).

Paul warns: no covetous man “hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” Ephesians 5:5). Jesus focused on the heart, “for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). Avoiding covetousness means trusting God and relying on His grace. 

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE NINTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The ninth commandment states: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). The essence of the commandment is honesty. It seems that many today believe that honesty is not only not the best policy, but unnecessary except in the most extreme circumstances. Our words do matter, though. The psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer”  (Psalm 19:14). The words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are inseparably linked. The enemies of Jesus did not use their tongues for truth. “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35). 

The prohibition of bearing false witness is most literally the giving false witness in court. Lying under oath is always a serious crime. Paul told the Ephesians, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Falsehood in court is a serious sin against one’s neighbor. For the Christian, lying hurts the very members of the body of Christ. 

Words falsely used can have devastating effect. Lies such as slander, designed to hurt others, are especially hurtful. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their slander of John, the forerunner of His ministry. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil” (Matthew 11:18). Christ’s enemies would tell any lie to stop Him. “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death” (Matthew 26:59). James warned that we must be kind and honest with our tongues: “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:9-10). To remain silent in the face of evil, withholding love and concern, also violates the sense of the command. 

Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:43-44). When we lie because we are filled with hatred, or to make ourselves look better, or to avoid unpleasantness, or for financial gain, we place ourselves squarely in the camp of Satan. 

The words of the Christian must be words of truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Solomon warned, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish” (Proverbs 19:9). Revelation 21:8 warns: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Liars face the same fate as murderers and idolaters! Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible has as its subject the love of God’s word and love of truth. These are fundamental to the life of the Christian!

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15), is unusual among the Ten Commandments, in that almost everyone agrees that it should be followed. It is still violated very often, as society make allowances for those who want to “cut corners,” not realizing it is condoning stealing. Peter tells the Christian, “Let none of you suffer us a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15). Who wants to be known as a thief? 

The commandment deals with “things.” God has given us many blessings, including the right to have and enjoy things. Prohibiting thievery stresses this blessing. The early church experimented with the common holding of all things among the believers, as each “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, us every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). The normal situation, however, has been for individuals to possess things. 

There is nothing wrong with having possessions, as long as the possessor understands that everything comes from God and we are merely stewards. Jesus often spoke of the need for us to be good stewards. “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath” (Luke 12:42-44).

Stealing is common today. Taking the property of others without just compensation, although sometimes legal, is stealing. The misuse and squandering of things, even if acquired honestly is bad stewardship, and thus stealing. Many believe that stealing by “creative bookkeeping,” false advertising, or by stealing through the computer is not really stealing, because “nobody gets hurt,” just the big corporation or government. These things are a clear violation of the intent of the eighth commandment, however. Even if no individual is harmed directly, it is still wrong. Even the frivolous wasting of resources or the miserly holding of resources, such as by Scrooge in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, fits the definition of stealing. 

The Christian who considers stealing because of the pressures of life lacks faith. Jesus taught that we should trust God to provide as we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Christians are tempted to steal sometimes because they are self-centered, rather than being Christ-centered. The very essence of sin is to put our own desires above that of all others. Either Christ or self will rule the heart. If it is self, selfishness will follow. Another temptation to stealing comes from the natural laziness that so many have within them. Man too often wants the easy way out, and stealing offers the lure of gain without work. God expects us, however, to pray, work hard, and trust Him to provide. Jesus pleads for honesty. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Thinking of others will help us pursue the virtue of generosity, and avoid the sin of stealing.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE SEVENTH COMMAND MEAN TO CHRISTIANS?  — BOB PRICHARD

The message of the seventh commandment is one that modern man seems to have outgrown. The command, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), seems outdated in our sophisticated times. The idea of monogamous marriage seems stifling to many in an era of sexual freedom. Few realize, however, that this command opens the door to true sexual freedom and expression, and is liberating, rather than burdensome. 

The focus of scripture is not on preventing adultery as much as it is in developing fulfilling marriage. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Marriage involves a commitment, both emotionally and physically, and when that commitment is made, the two so joined must remain committed. The seventh commandment also limits sexual intercourse to marriage, and thus forbids it to those who are unmarried. It is strictly a privilege of husband and wife. Sex is not wrong. It is God’s gift. He limits it, however, to the marriage relationship. When God’s gift is misused, calamity results. 

In the Old Testament era, some practiced polygamy. Although sometimes done for humanitarian reasons, such as the care of a widow, or of a brother’s wife, many such as Abraham, David, and Solomon reaped bitter fruit from the practice. Too many today practice “serial polygamy” by taking one mate after another, without considering the consequences. “Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. … Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:13b, 18-20). 

Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees, reminding them that adultery is a sin committed with the mind as well as the body. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus considered fornication, or adultery, so serious that it is the one cause for divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:3-19). 

Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and His ministry included offering forgiveness to those involved in sexual sin, such as the adulterous woman brought before Him. He showed her grace. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). He balanced forgiveness with repentance and a desire to end sin. 

Fidelity in the marriage relationship is important, because it reflects the relationship that God wants to maintain with His people. The prophets equated the fall into idolatry with spiritual adultery. When man lusts after some of the gods of today, such as popularity, power, and sex, he commits spiritual adultery. All are subject to the lure of sin, so we must remain vigilant against all sin, especially the sin of adultery.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

We may be living in the most violent time in history. There are more than a million violent crimes in the United States each year, nearly fifty thousand suicides and a million abortions. As minister Owen M. Weatherly commented, “The most crucial problem which men face today is their unfortunate habit of killing one another.” God spoke to Cain after he had murdered Abel, saying, “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10) In contrast to the violence of today, the sixth commandment says: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). 

Hebrew has at least ten words for killing. The word God chose for the sixth commandment is one rarely used, found only five times in scripture. It refers to the deliberate, violent, premeditated taking of a life, or murder. For this reason, most modern versions, such as the NIV or NASB translate the verse, “You shall not murder.” Jesus stressed that murder begins in the heart: “Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).

Did this commandment prohibit all killing? This hardly seems possible, since the very next chapter commands killing under some circumstances. Exodus 21:12, “He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall surely be put to death,” is only one of numerous passages that specify death for certain crimes. God did not contradict Himself, but merely clarified the law. While murder, the taking of the life of an innocent party is prohibited, there must be, at least in certain cases, situations in which the state is permitted, or even required to take life. Under these guidelines, the capital punishment of a convicted criminal could be permitted, while euthanasia and abortion, the taking of innocent life, are always wrong. The forbidding of murder really strikes at the roots of many sins that lead to murder, such as racism, greed, pride, lust, envy, and hatred. It is not practical for the state to pass laws against all of these sins, but the prohibition of murder certainly helps keep them in check. 

While the commandment commands a negative, “Thou shalt not kill,” there must also be implied the positive of preserving life. Jesus taught that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. That means that we will be peace loving, merciful, and caring to all. Paul reminds us, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:14-15). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned that we are not to retaliate for the wrong doings of others (Matthew 5:38- 42), and that those seeking to please God will not hate others (Matthew 5:43-48).  Jesus gave us the “golden rule,” that “All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12)

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). With this commandment, there is a shift of emphasis from the preceding commandments. There is less direct emphasis on man’s relationship with God, and more on man’s relationship with man. This commandment is foundational for both children and adults, stressing the importance of learning authority, which must begin in the home. Without proper respect for parents and their authority in the home, there will not be proper respect for God and His authority. 

The root meaning of the word honor [honour KJV], in the original language, is “to be heavy, or burdensome.” It is a burden for those receiving the honor to bear it properly, as well as for the giver of honor to give it as it should be given. Parents have responsibility and authority to teach their children about God. This should not be a matter of conceit for the parents, however, but should be a matter of grave concern. Parents should carefully consider what they teach their children, and ask them to do, because the ultimate authority always remains with God. Children should never be asked or expected to do that which is contrary to God’s will. As the apostles said before the authorities, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). 

Parents should be recognized as a gift to us. Children should be thankful for the gift of life through their parents, and all of the good things done by parents for children. Parents deserve loyalty, even when they are less than perfect (we know that only God is perfect). Along with that loyalty and gratitude children give to parents, they also should show their love and concern. Although it might be technically possible for children to honor their parents without loving them, it is certainly not God’s ideal. God loves and cares for His children, and often expresses that through parents. Authority without love often destroys. As Paul said, “Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Honor and love go hand in hand. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). 

Paul speaks of this commandment, saying, “Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2). This commandment offers a promise of blessing. The well being of any nation rests on the well being of the home. If things are right in the home, they will be right in the nation. Home life has incredibly far reaching results. The nation that neglects the home is headed for trouble. 

Jesus modeled obedience to the Heavenly Father, and added richness to our understanding by stressing the love of God as Father. Many of the religious leaders of the day tried to get around their obligations to their parents, but Jesus stressed how important the family is, warning them that their neglect of their parents was “making the word of God of none effect” (Mark 7 :9-13). “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother” (Proverbs 15:20).

BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The fourth commandment says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11). God gave the Sabbath as a “perpetual covenant” (Exodus 31:17) between the Jews and God. As long as the Jews were a nation, they were to keep the Sabbath. This was not a perpetual covenant with anyone else, however. 

The Sabbath lasted from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The Jews, especially the Pharisees, treated it very legalistically. They expanded, refined, and codified it until it became an intolerable burden. Jesus fought the popular distortion of the Sabbath by healing on the Sabbath, “For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day” (Matthew 12:8). Jesus kept the Sabbath perfectly, something that no one else ever did. 

This commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments that Jesus did not repeat for Christians. Jesus kept the Sabbath, but never commanded Christians to keep it. 

Although some try to keep the Sabbath today, none keep it as God commanded it. The Lord commanded that the Sabbath was the day for burnt offerings, and other elements which no one keeps today. Paul says that Christ abolished the law (Ephesians 2:15), and “took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). The first covenant was taken away so that the better, new covenant could be established. “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” (Hebrews 8:6-7). 

While we are not commanded to keep the Sabbath, there are, however, many eternal principles to be learned from the Sabbath. All Christians should consider their use of time, and the work ethic taught in the commandment, that there are six days in which the servant of God will work. As the wise man Solomon wrote, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6). Paul tried to set a good example for the Thessalonians by working to support himself, giving an example (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12). “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). 

Jesus showed the way to use the Sabbath, not by treating it as a day for idleness, but a day for service, a time for bringing blessings to others. The Christian should do no less with every day given to him. All life should be a rest from evil, and days devoted to God. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Every Christian should evaluate his time to see how much is devoted to God, and how much is devoted to self.

BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE THIRD COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

A name is very important, because it represents all that a person is. The third commandment warns, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). When Moses asked God what he should say to the Israelites, as he came to lead them out of Egyptian bondage, “God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:14). “I AM THAT I AM” is a form of the Hebrew for “to be,” indicating the eternal nature of God. The Israelites were so conscious of not breaking this commandment that they would not pronounce the name of God at all, instead substituting the word for Lord. 

Words, such as names, have always been important. Jesus warned that the misuse of words could destroy us, because the words indicate what is in our hearts. “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man” (Matthew 15:18). James warns that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:6).

Our words are especially of concern when they involve God and His name. Men often curse God, blaspheme His name, or use His name in profanity. Rather than cursing His name, men ought to hallow His name. The Old Testament punishment for such sins was stoning (Leviticus 24:10-23). This may seem harsh, but Jesus said, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). Since God’s name is often invoked in the making of vows and promises, such as the wedding vows, it is doubly important that these words be true. 

The sense of this commandment is also broken when men do not respect God’s words. You cannot reject His words, and the things His spokesmen have said, without rejecting God. Jesus told His disciples, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Matthew 10:40). Responding properly to God’s word means obedience to it. Words should match deeds. Paul condemned those whose works were not in accord with God’s word: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16) Jesus spoke of this important connection between our deeds and the word of God, warning, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). 

Peter, referring to the name of Jesus Christ, said “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Surely those who love Him would not want to misuse His name in songs, jokes, etc. His name should be spoken in love and obedience.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, EXODUS

WHAT DOES THE SECOND COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The second of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, gives timeless principles concerning God’s attitude about worship. Christians, who are “delivered from the law” (Romans 7:6-7), learn principles from the Ten Commandments that allow them to live under the better covenant of Christianity (Hebrews 8:6-7) 

The commandment reads: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:4-6). Israel had to understand clearly that God would not tolerate idolatry. 

Idolatry, the worship of a creature, or inanimate object, seems inherently absurd to the modern mind. While modern man might not carve a statue, and then bow before it as ancient man did, he still has his idols, the false gods he worships. The problem of the idolater is not so much the idol as it is the spiritual blindness of the idolater. To place anything above God, whether it be possessions, family, occupation, or leisure activity, is to become an idolater. It has been well observed that sometimes the modern churchgoer may have his true god parked outside the place of worship. 

The command forbids making graven images to represent God to a worshipper. No image can ever “capture” God. As Paul told the Athenians, who worshipped so many gods, including an “unknown god,” “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:29-30). God’s Word must always govern worship to Him, because man has always had a tendency to worship the thing rather than the One Whom it represents. Despite God’s care of Israel, they easily slipped back into an idolatrous way of thinking. On one occasion they took the ark of the covenant into battle against the Philistines, as a sort of “good luck charm,” and wound up losing the ark, as well as the battle (1 Samuel 4). They also began to worship the bronze serpent Moses raised as a symbol of salvation (Numbers 21:4-9), so that King Hezekiah had to destroy it with the other marks of idolatry (2 Kings 18:4). 

The commandment gives a lengthy “enforcement statement,” which stresses that God will not share His people with any other god, but will bless all those who do His will. As Jesus met with the woman at the well, who wanted to sidestep the discussion of her checkered past, He reminded her, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Jesus warned that worship is vain when men worship God “teaching for doctrine the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9). Blessings for future generations depend on proper worship today! 

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, OLD TESTAMENT

WHAT DOES THE FIRST COMMANDMENT MEAN TO CHRISTIANS? — BOB PRICHARD

The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, form the basis for modern western civilization. In their summary of the proper attitude to God and one another, they provide fundamental concepts that allow people to function in obedience to God. The relevance of the Ten Commandments for the Christian lies in the timeless principles they describe. Paul explained that the Christian is no longer bound by the old covenant, including the ten commandments, because Christ brought the Jew and the Gentile together, “having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). In giving His life, Christ was “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2.14). Christians are “delivered from the law” (Romans 7:6-7) to live under the better covenant of Christianity (Hebrews 8:6-7). 

The first commandment emphasizes that God must be first in the life of His children. “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:1-3). As God reminded Israel that He had delivered them from Egyptian bondage, the first commandment demands, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

The Israelites lived in a world of many gods vying for the allegiance of men. God demanded that they recognize Him and Him alone as God. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” is literally “Thou shalt have no other gods before my face.” Just as a woman with two husbands would be unacceptable to either husband, God demands undivided loyalty from all who claim to follow Him. The Jews could not adopt the pagan practices of their neighbors and maintain the purity God demanded. Peter and the other apostles understood the principle, refusing to be silenced by the Sanhedrin, saying, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In like manner, Christ demanded undivided loyalty from His followers. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37-38). 

The command, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” is also a demand for wholehearted love. God redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage, and today He redeems mankind from the bondage of sin. The magnificence of His creation and the sacrifice of Christ for us shows that He truly is worthy of our love. Jesus summed up the proper attitude to the Father: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). If we do this, we can truly insure that we put no other gods before Him. 

CHRISTIAN LIVING, PSALMS

“I HAD RATHER BE A DOORKEEPER” — BOB PRICHARD

As God prepared His people to enter the Promised Land, He assigned the tribe of Levi to be in charge of all things related to worship. That meant that the Levites provided all of the priests, as well as those who would care for the tabernacle/temple, play instruments in worship, and any other possible assignment relating to the worship of God.

Among the various families of the Levites, each family received a particular assignment. The family of Kohath was assigned to carry the tabernacle furnishings as they traveled, but even though they were Levites, they could not serve as priests. Korah, the head of the family, felt slighted, and led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. “And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?” (Numbers 16:10). The wrath of God fell on Korah and the other rebels, and the earth opened up and swallowed them.

God was merciful to Korah’s family, however. “And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not” (Numbers 26:10-11).

Several generations later, the family of Korah was still serving faithfully in the temple, not as priests, but as gatekeepers and singers. Perhaps this prompted them to write in Psalm 84:10, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” In other words, they had more joy from one day in the service of the Lord, than for a thousand days in the service of evil. There is joy in simple service to God, in whatever humble capacity we find ourselves. Aren’t we grateful for the many who serve the cause of Christ in those unsung positions that we could never do without!

BIBLE QUESTIONS, ECCLESIASTES, OLD TESTAMENT

WHAT DOES ECCLESIASTES 3:15 MEAN? — BOB PRICHARD

Men have described the book of Ecclesiastes, authored by the wise man Solomon, in many different ways. Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, said it is the truest of all books. Others have applied Winston Churchill’s description of Russia, a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, to this great book. This sometimes puzzling book shows that the things of the world offer no lasting happiness, and that this life, with all of its labors, is valueless, if there is no future. The book is the story of a man (Solomon), who deliberately tasted every worldly delight, including the forbidden, only to discover that all that the world offers is vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

Chapter three begins with the familiar words, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 8). The general theme of this chapter is the unchanging regularity of the world created by God.

The words of verse 15, as with so many others in the book, seem very cryptic at first reading. “That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). Remember that the general theme of the chapter is the unchanging regularity of life. Solomon expressed the same idea earlier in the book. “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The verse closes with the statement, “there is no new thing under the sun”, meaning there is nothing new in the temporal life. He then asked, “Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us.” (Ecclesiastes 1:10). As we look at our world, we see that there are technological advancements, and advancements in other fields, but so far as man’s concern for his fellowman, and the basic things of life, there is no change, no new thing under the sun. As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Since we live in a regular universe, with God in control, it is up to us to recognize God’s control, and bend our wills to be in conformity to His will. After all, this is what God requires. As Solomon looked at the world under the sun, living as if there were no God, his vision of an unchanging world changed to a conclusion that God truly is in control. The end of Ecclesiastes 3:15 states, “for God seeks what has passed by.” These words parallel the last words of verse 14, which also talks of God’s purpose, and says, “…for God has so worked that men should fear Him.” This points to the fact that God designed our regular universe to draw men to Him.

Solomon ends the saga of his search for happiness with the words, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Literally, the whole of man is to obey God.