“Why do I need your numerous sacrifices?” The Book of Isaiah 1:11 Beyond two tablets with laws set in stone, the Decalogue has external factors. The scheme establishes relationships: God-Human and Human-Human. The Torah provides two unique tracts of administering justice/morality. For God-Human relations, sacrifices were instituted. Some of these sacrifices, i.e. sin or guiltContinue reading “A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Ultimate Sacrifice?”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Truth Be Told
On a daily basis we confront matters of truth and opinion. The truths are the “2+2=4″‘s of life. Opinions are a different beast. With opinions, we veer off into a matrix of probabilities. Terms such as certainty, reasonable, likely and possibly are entertained and are cemented in as some form of truth. Inherently, opinions areContinue reading “A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Truth Be Told”
Tzav, A Ten Commandments’ Moment?
Finding “Ten Commandments’ Moments” within each and every weekly Torah Portion is challenging. Cubits, genealogies and the instructions for priestly sacrifices offer impediments. The Portion Tzav ironically is one involving priestly sacrifice. Tzav discusses burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings in much detail. Is there a connection between these sacrifices and the Ten Commandments?Continue reading “Tzav, A Ten Commandments’ Moment?”
A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover
History’s greatest biblical scroll discovery was not the Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran. Rather, Hilkiah’s scroll discovery in the Temple during King Josiah’s reign was both the most important and impactful. While the Dead Sea Scrolls provided to the world a glimpse of Second Temple Judaism and revealed the Hebrew Bible’s textual transmission integrity,Continue reading “A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover”
Elijah, The Sequel-A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment
While the Prophet Elijah’s initial tale in the First Book of Kings is epic. After Elijah’s Mt. Sinai moment of crisis, the most famous Tishbite’s second act does not disappoint. He is the Don Corleone of Prophets. His Part II is satisfyings. Perhaps, he is also the Michael Corleone of Prophets. Elijah’s inital story isContinue reading “Elijah, The Sequel-A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Elijah, Israel’s Moses?
If the Hebrew Bible was being crafted as a movie script, half-way through the screen play of the Book of Kings an emergency writers’ meeting would have taken place. “Writers, we have a problem!” The Lead Writer would bemoan that the fledgling spin-off Northern Kingdom- Israel- was lacking. No intriguing characters! No cool locations! NoContinue reading “Elijah, Israel’s Moses?”
A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayikra: A Legit Split?
Some commentators break down the Ten Commandments into two sections, five-and-five. The first group of five are laws detailing one’s relationship with God; the second set dealing with purely human relations. Does the Torah Portion Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ moment dispel this assertion? Vayikra includes the following passage relevant to the Decalogue: “And the Lord spokeContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayikra: A Legit Split?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?
Questioning authority and choosing correct counsel are critical life skills. To question authority, courage, confidence, bravery and confusion are important traits. The same is with taking counsel. Seeking and receiving advice should not reflexively rubberstamp the suggestions imparted. The First Book of Kings offers an example which is a masterclass in failure. Likewise, it isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Solomon’s Failure
Much wisdom can be imparted from Solomon’s demise. The King’s penchant for many wives and concubines set in motion the united Israelite monarchy’s destruction. Inevitably, a violation of the Ten Commandments brought forth the fracture. The First Book of Kings reports that: “Solomon grew old [and] his wives swayed his heart after gods of others,Continue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Solomon’s Failure”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?
The Kohanim brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to its place, to the inner sanctum of the Temple, to the Holy of Holies. 1 Kings 8:6 Upon the Temple of the Lord’s completion, King Solomon addressed the God of Israel’s universality. In 1 Kings 8:41-43, Solomon pronounced “Also a gentile who isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?”
The Ten Commandments Project 