biblelifestudies

A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons

Can violating one of the Ten Commandments wipe out a family’s eternal destiny? The Book of Samuel answers this question. In doing so, the Book of Samuel, in the tale of Eli’s sons, reveals a great insight into the commandments to honor one’s parents. During the time when the Kohen Priest Eli is apprenticing Samuel,Continue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons”

A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah

As far as present day impact, Hannah may be the Book of Samuel’s true superstar. While David, who is credited with writing the Psalms, also appears in Samuel, Hannah inspired generations as to devotional prayer. Hannah’s zeal is emulated by worshipers daily around the world as they pray. Beyond her ability to wax out aContinue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War

The Book of Judges’ disturbing conclusion is the tale of Levite Traveler and his Concubine Wife. In the story, an older man from Gilbeah took the Levite and his wife in for the night as an act of hospitality. The town was Benjamite. Judges 19. There, “the people of the city, lawless people, surrounded the house, bangingContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War”

Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent

The Torah Portion Teruma bolsters the Exodus’ historicity. Teruma explicitly details construction matters for the Mishkan aka Tabernacle. The Tabernacle’s discuss is part of Richard Elliott Friedman’s argument that an Exodus did occur. Scholars have connected the Tabernacle’s design to another structure from antiquity. The Mishkan’s design bears similarity to Pharoah Ramses II’s War Tent that wasContinue reading “Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah Part II

With Part I of Micah’s saga, thanks to his mother, he came to possess a graven image of the Lord. Judges’ Chapter 17, continues Micah’s tale. Micah was reported to have a house of idolatry. There, he made ephods [religious garments] and icons. He even installed one of his sons to be his priest. [note: Micah, in Judges, wasContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah Part II”

Go Play Fish

Media and Social Media Creators constantly generate “click bait.” Stats are valued over quality content; with this, readers are left with time-consuming content. Heaped among the links to stories of the Kardashians, Markles, & Swifts is surprisingly Ten Commandments-related content. Yes, emotional evoking morality tales serve as “click bait.” Creators are well aware “morality tales” generate traffic. Thus, as youContinue reading “Go Play Fish”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah’s Graven Image Part I

While reading the Book of Judges, one will pull their hair out. The scripture’s outrageousness never disappoints. Even one brief passage is sufficient to make one go bald. Micah’s Graven Image Tale is an overflowing fountain of meshugas. Micah and his mother are barely digestible in one sitting. Accordingly, Micah’s tales are the subject of two posts.Continue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah’s Graven Image Part I”

A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Mishpatim: God As My Witness?

As a practicing lawyer for over 33 years, I have spent decades litigating newly enacted legislation. No matter how well-crafted or conceived, laws always contain ambiguity. After the provision of the Ten Commandments in the Yitro, the Torah Portion Mishpatim follows with the announcement of seminal laws shaping Judaism. One of the most notable from Mishpatim is theContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Mishpatim: God As My Witness?”

Marking Time By Yitro

There are many ways to date or mark time. With Christianity, the world’s current calendaring is based upon belief. As a result, look at the world with pre-Jesus and post-Jesus periods. With Judaism, time moved forward from “in the beginning” when the Universe. The Torah portion Yitro also dermacates time; there is a pre and post Mt. Sinai. ThisContinue reading “Marking Time By Yitro”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah

Of all the Book of Judges’ gut wrenching episodes. Jephthah’s is one of the most problematic. He is a mighty warrior of valor who has acceptance issues. Judges, in providing his background story, alludes that he most likely carried with him emotional insecurity; The tale unfolds with his estrangement from his father’s family. The story takes off with theContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah”