Suggestions For Bible Students (Part 4)

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Wayne Jackson opined, “In my judgment the greatest problem in the church today (in any age, in fact is) a lack of Bible knowledge.   This is the tap-root of all other problems which plague the Kingdom of Christ” (Jackson, A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge, Introduction).  Whether one agrees with his opinion or not, a lack of knowledge is a serious matter (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Peter 3:16).

The purpose of this series is to help us be better Bible students.  Here are some principles which may help with interpretation.

17.  Interpreting Sentences

(1) Always interpret a sentence according to the known purpose of the author.

(2) Interpret the sentence in light of its immediate context.

Sentences and words may have different meanings when expressed in different situations.  For example, consider the phrase, “He hit the cat” in the following situations: (a) A man driving a car down the road; (b) A child playing with a kitten; (c) A man hunting a jaguar; (d) Two men fighting (This illustration provided in Roy H. Deaver’s Brown Trail class notes on Hermeneutics).

(3) Interpret the sentence in light of the fact that the Bible must always harmonize with itself when understood correctly.

(4) Interpret the sentence in light of other statements by the same author on the same subject.

(5) Interpret the sentence in light of statements of other writers of equal authority on the same subject.

18.  Interpreting words

(1) All words are to be understood in their literal sense, unless the evident meaning of the context forbids.

Figurative language is the exception, literal language is the rule; hence, we are not to regard anything as figurative until we feel compelled to do so by the evident import of the passage.

(2) Commands generally are to be understood in a literal sense.

This is a general truth. However, there are some commands given, and declarative statements made with the similar force of a command, in figurative language, in the scriptures (Matthew 5:16; John 3:3).

(3) It is wise to give consideration to how those addressed understood the word (though, there are cases where the hearers misunderstood  cf.  Matthew 16:5-12).

(4) Bible words are best defined by the Bible.

The Bible sometimes uses words in a unique way (e.g. apostle, elder, deacon, the breaking of bread, brethren).  The Bible can be used as its own dictionary.  Consider how the Bible uses the term.

(5) Words of definite action can have but one meaning.

(6) The writer’s explanation is the best definition that can be found [e.g. Immanuel = God with us (Matthew 1:23); Rabbi = Teacher (John 1:38)].

(7) Always keep the author’s known purpose in mind.

(8) The meaning of the word is frequently known by the words used in construction with it.

(9) Watch for possible synonyms and antonyms (or near synonyms and near antonyms).  These may be extremely helpful in understanding words or phrases.

The Bible contains parallelism.  Some parallels are synonymous parallels (e.g. Psalm 8:4; 24:1; 91:13).  Others are antithetic parallels (e.g. Proverbs 15:1; 29:15).  Look for parallels and other restatements of a point, or related words.  This may help one discern meaning.

(10)  Illustrations or parables may give the peculiar sense in which a word is to be understood [e.g. neighbor (Luke 10:25-37)].

(11) Etymological construction will many times tell the meaning of the word.

D.R. Dungan explains, “Nearly all the names of the ancients had meanings, and when, they are constructed of  more than one syllable, the meaning of the several syllables will give the meaning of the whole word or name.  Beersheba, from beer, wells, and Sebiah, seven would be seven wells; Bethel, house of God – are specimens of the meaning attached to the names of places” (Dungan, Hermeneutics, p. 191).

He also cautions, “It should be confessed, however, the rule does not always work, and some words have changed their meanings entirely since they were first made” (ibid).

(12) A study of the history of a word is sometimes necessary in order to get its meaning at a particular time.

Consider this illustration:  “The name board, another form of the word broad, was originally applied to a piece of timber, hewed or sawed, so as to form a wide, thin plank.  It was also applied to the table on which food was placed, and it became common to speak of gathering around a festive board.  By a similar association, the word was also applied to a body of men who were wont to gather around a table to transact business, and hence we have board of trustees, board of commissioners.  The word is also used for the deck of a vessel; hence the terms on board, overboard…” (Dungan, p. 192).

The use of a word can evolve over time.  The aim is to identify what a word meant at a time and place.  “‘Let’ once meant to hinder; ‘prevent’ once meant to come before” (ibid).  “Boot” means one thing in England and another thing in America.

(13) The proper definition of a word may be used in place of a word.

This is a great test of how you define a word.  Remove the word and supply your definition.  Does it fit?

(14) Try to use primary meanings when defining words.

D.R. Dungan explains, “‘To eat’ means literally to chew and swallow… ‘To eat’ means secondarily to corrode, to consume, …to wear away by degrees, to prey upon… ‘to consume’ means to waste away slowly, to be exhausted, to squander” (Dungan, p. 193).  If one skips to secondary meanings without need to do so ‘To eat’ becomes defined to mean ‘to squander.’  Therefore, “The man eats his sandwich” becomes “the man squanders his sandwich.”  Obviously, this is not what is meant.  However, this is the type of mistake which happens, when one skips to secondary meanings without need.

*I claim no originality for the information in this article.  These points were gleaned from D.R. Dungan’s Hermeneutics; Clint Lockhart’s Principles of Interpretation; and Roy H. Deaver’s Brown Trail class notes on Hermeneutics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Suggestions for Bible Students (Part 3)

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Wayne Jackson has written, “It is the epitome of folly to ignore the labors of countless Bible scholars across the centuries who have made available, by means of the printed page, the results of their research.  One of the wonders of the human mind is that it can build upon the knowledge of previous generations, and this is no less true of sacred knowledge.  Every Christian needs to build a personal religious library of good tools that will enhance his understanding of the scriptures and his ability to convey that information to others” (Jackson, A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge, p. 83).

One could spend a fortune on books, software, and other tools.  “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).  I am not suggesting that every Bible student should spend a great deal of money to acquire a large library of books, software, and other tools.  However, a few basic tools would be helpful to Bible study.  In this article, I will make a few suggestions.

8.  A Good Translation

There are two basic approaches to translation.  (1) One approach is referred to as Formal Equivalence (aka Modified Literal).  This approach “attempts to translate the words and nuances of the original as literal as possible provided that clarity is conveyed in English” (Jackson, The Bible Translation Controversy, p. 5).  (2) The other approach is referred to as Dynamic Equivalence (aka Functional Equivalence).  This approach “attempts to convey the meaning of the text in free idiomatic English without much regard for the exact wording of the original” (ibid).

One’s primary Bible for reading and studying should be a Formal Equivalent translation.  Some major translations which used this philosophy include: the King James Version; the American Standard Bible; the New American Standard Bible; the New King James Version; the English Standard Version. I am fond of the New King James Version.

Dynamic Equivalent translations may have value.  However, the translator “becomes more of a commentator than a translator” (ibid). Some translations which used this philosophy include: the New International Version; the New Living Translation; the Contemporary English Version.

Readability is also important.  The King James Version is written on a 12th grade reading level.  The American Standard’s reading level, I could not find, but it also is probably on a similar reading level.  The New American Standard Bible is written on an 11th grade reading level.  The New King James version is written on a 9th grade reading level.  The English Standard Version is written on an 8th grade reading level. For comparison, the New International Version is on a 7.8 grade reading level (Source: Bible Comparison Guide by Zondervan).

There is also the matter of textual family. Some translations use the Byzantine Family of manuscripts. These include the King James Version and the New King James Version. Others use the Alexandrian Family of manuscripts, or an Eclectic text. These include the American Standard Version, the New International Version, the New American Standard Bible, the English Standard Version. There are textual differences between these two families of manuscripts. However, I do not think that these differences are nearly as important as translation philosophy. The preface to the New Open Bible reads, “Bible readers may be assured that most important differences in the English New Testaments of today are due, not to manuscript divergence, but to the way in which the translators viewed the task of translation.” Geisler and Nix have concluded, “Actually, the variant readings which significantly affect the sense of a passage are less than ten percent of the New Testament, and none of these affect any basic doctrine of the Christian faith” (Geisler and Nix, A General Introduction to The Bible, p. 489). Again, they write, “Westcott and Hort estimated that only one-eighth of all the variants had any weight, as most of them are merely mechanical matters such as spelling or style. Of the whole, then, only about one-sixtieth rise above ‘trivialities,’ or can in any sense be called ‘substantial’ variations. Mathematically that would compute to a text that is 99.33 percent pure whether the critic adopts the Textus Receptus, Majority Text, Nestle-Aland Text, or some eclectic text of the New Testament” (ibid, p. 474). Neil Lightfoot concluded, ” Textual variants are of different types and degrees of importance. Most variants are obvious slips made by a scribe and present no problem. …Some represent substantial variation, but in this number no unique Biblical teaching or divine command is involved” (Lightfoot, How We Got The Bible, p. 96). Roderick Ross has stated “The vast majority of the manuscripts of New Testament agree with one another almost letter for letter. It has been estimated that these comprise 95-96% of the manuscripts extant” ( ed. Terry Hightower, A Handbook On Bible Translations, p.380).

J.W. McGarvey gave this illustration about the transmission of scripture and the manuscript evidence. “The case is like that of a certain will. A gentleman left a large estate entailed to his descendants of the third generation, and it was not to be divided until a majority of them should be of age. During the interval many copies of the will were circulated among parties interested, many of these being copies of copies. In the meantime, the office of record in which the original was filed was burned with all its contents. When the time for division drew near, a prying attorney gave out among the heirs the report that no two existing copies of the will were alike. This alarmed them all and set them busily at work to ascertain the truth of the report. On comparing copy with copy, they found the report true, but on close inspection it was discovered that the differences consisted in errors of spelling or grammatical construction; some mistakes in figures corrected by the written numbers; and some other differences not easily accounted for; but that in none of the copies did these mistakes affect the rights of the heirs. In the essential matters for which the will was written the representations of all the copies were precisely the same. The result was that they divided the estate with perfect satisfaction to all, and they were more certain that they had executed the will of their grandfather than if the original copy had been alone preserved; for it might have been tampered with in the interest of a single heir, but the copies, defective though they were, could not have been. So, with the New Testament.” (J.W. McGarvey, Evidences of Christianity, part 1, page 17).

9.  An exhaustive concordance

A concordance is a verbal index to the Bible. Many Bibles contain a brief concordance in the back, after the New Testament.  However, An English language exhaustive concordance lists every word which appears in an English Bible in alphabetical order.  Strong’s and Young’s are based on the King James Version.

I recommend the Strong’s Concordance.  It has assigned a number to each word in the original language.  These words can be looked up in the Hebrew dictionary and the Greek dictionary in the back of the book.  Other tools have also adopted this same numbering system (e.g. Thayer’s Greek – English Lexicon; Vine’s Expository Dictionary, etc.).  If I were going to have only one book in addition to the Bible, this would be it.

10.  A topical Bible

A topical Bible might be thought of as a topical concordance.  Nave’s Topical Bible is good.  It contains Biblical references to over 20,000 topics.

11.  An atlas

An atlas is a book of maps.  Some Bibles contain good maps within them.  A good atlas will contain more. Baker’s Bible Atlas is good. It provides much information on places mentioned in the Bible.

12.  Dictionary/lexicon

It is valuable to be able to look up the meaning of words, the words of the original languages.  If you have little or no familiarity of the original languages, I recommend Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words.  Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon can also be used without any familiarity with Greek, if you also have a Strong’s concordance.  It is coded with Strong’s numbers.

Caution: Using an English dictionary, such as Webster, to look up the meaning of Biblical words can be a problem.  For instance, if you look up “baptism” in an English dictionary, it may give the following definition, or something near to it: “The application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ.  This is usually performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, the act varying with the tenet of various churches.”  The dictionary is not defining the meaning of the original word or telling you how the Bible uses the word.  Instead, the dictionary is telling you how the word is used today.  The Bible sometimes uses words very differently than how they are used today.  Moreover, behind the English word in your English Bible is an original word (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic).  It is the original word and its usage in the Bible, and especially the context of the passage that is important.

13.  Bible dictionaries/encyclopedias

These are helpful to researching people, places, and things.  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia is helpful, but somewhat pricey.  More affordable is The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary.

14.  Survey of books of the Bible

There are books which help survey the books of the Bible.  Here are three helpful books: Halley’s Bible Handbook by H.H. Halley; A Survey of Old Testament Introduction by Gleason Archer Jr.; New Testament Introduction by Donald Guthrie.

15.  Commentaries/Study Bibles

Wayne Jackson warns, “It is exceedingly difficult to find Bible commentaries that do not reflect sectarian bias.  In using a commentary, therefore, it is quite important to know the religious persuasion of the author.  In the majority of commentaries on the religious market today, information concerning God’s plan of salvation, the church, New Testament worship, etc., will be erroneous.  If this fact is recognized, many of these works can be used to great profit in others areas of biblical knowledge” (A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge, p. 90).

Here are some recommendations: Gospel Advocate Commentaries; Coffman’s Commentaries; Gospel Light Commentaries; B.W. Johnson commentary; Truth for Today’s Commentaries; J.W. McGarvey Commentaries, especially his original commentary on Acts; Homer Hailey Commentaries; Roy Deaver’s commentary on Romans; R.L. Whiteside’s commentary on Romans; Ray Summers’ commentary on Revelation; Wayne Jackson Commentaries; Robert Taylor Jr. Commentaries; Tom Wacaster Commentaries; Denton lectureship books; Shertz lectureship books; Spiritual Sword lectureship books; Memphis School of Preaching lectureship books; Southwest School of Bible Studies lectureship books; Power lectureship books; Adam Clark commentaries; Barnes’ Notes.

Which study Bible contain helpful notes? The New Open Bible, and The English Standard Study Bible contain some helpful notes. The NIV Study Bible contains some helpful charts and notes, though I am not big on the NIV translation. Old favorites are the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, and  the Dickson Study Bible. Remember these notes are the comments of uninspired men.

Note: This should not be viewed as a total endorsement of all that are written in these books, and study notes.

16.  Technology

I am a dinosaur, when it comes to technology.  Others could better write on this point.

However, there are many amazing tools available for your phone or computer.  Our church website churchofchristyoungsport.org contains links to Vine’s Expository Dictionary and studylight.org which contains over 100 commentaries.  This is free to access.

One should also consider downloading the Blue Letter Bible app.  It contains concordances, Bible translations, lexicons, cross references and other study tools.  It is free.

 Logos Bible Software is an amazing digital library of information.  There are different packages.  Cost varies by package.  It is expensive.  It is worth investigating if you are a serious Bible student.

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Suggestions for Bible Students (Part 2)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Each of us should be a student, a diligent student, of God’s word.  Goebel Music has wisely said, “It is my honest conviction that nothing in life is more important than a thorough knowledge of the Bible.  Regardless of the extent of a man’s education, he is uneducated who does not have a basic understanding of the Bible.  A knowledge of the Bible is more important than a college education – as it relates not only to the timely, but also to the timeless.  This firm persuasion and fixed belief stems from the fact that there is life after death, a judgment to face, an account to be given and an absolute infallible book, the Bible, as the standard of judgment” (source not found).

4.  Time/Effort

If one truly wants to learn God’s word, one should be willing to invest time and effort.  “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,  so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverb 2:1-5).  How much effort do men make to find silver and hidden treasures? Have much effort are you making to learn God’s word?

One should value God’s word enough to invest the time and effort.  Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).  David said, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).  A Psalmist said, “I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great treasure” (Psalm 119:162).  Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).  Peter instructed, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).  God has revealed His will in such a way that one must invest time and effort.  Paul wrote, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The whole of God’s word should be studied.  The psalmist said, “The sum of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160).  Scripture must be considered in light of other scriptures (Matthew 4:5-7).

5.  Studying A Book

Try this: First, find a quiet place, free from distractions, and read the entire book.  Read it, if possible, in one sitting.  Think about the big picture. Take no notes at this point.

Second, reread the book.  This time, try to answer some basic questions from the text, things like – who wrote the book?  To whom was it written?  When was it written?  Where was the writer?  Where was the recipient(s)?  Why was it written?  What did the writer want the reader(s) to do or to learn?  How was the thing(s) to be done? Write down your answers.

Third, reread the book.  This time, notice reoccurring words and phrases. Take notes. This may help one discover natural themes and outlines in the book.

Fourth, reread the book.  This time, develop a basic skeletal outline.  It is important to grasp the overall flow of the book, how it is laid out, and where things are located. Briefly summarize the book in your own words.

Fifth, do research.  Familiarize yourself with the people and places mentioned (Bible dictionaries, and encyclopedias, concordances, and topical Bibles, maps and atlases may be helpful; many tools are available for free on the web). Familiarize yourself with the meaning of words and phrases which are used (Bible dictionaries, and lexicons, concordances, word study books, and other translations may be helpful; many products are available for free on the web).

Sixth, reread the book.  This time, consider relationships mentioned in the book.  This includes: God and man; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; man and man; brother and brother; the church and the world; the writer and the recipient(s), and other relationships which may be in the book.  Think on these things as they are presented in the book.  No doubt you will have already noticed these relationships in previous readings.  However, study these things more deeply at the point. Take notes.

Seventh, reread the book.  This time, consider major Bible theme/subjects.  This includes God (Theology); Christ (Christology); the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology);  angels and spirit beings (Angelology/ Demonology); man (Anthropology); sin (Hamartiology); salvation (Soteriology); church (Ecclesiology); end times (Eschatology); and the Bible (Bibliology). Take notes.

Eighth, you may consult commentaries at this point.  Only do so after you have done your readings, and your own personal research.  Use commentaries for the evidence they provide, not as popes to set doctrine.  Commentators are uninspired.  Moreover, The notes in your study Bible are also, comments by uninspired people.

Yes, this is a lot of reading.  However, doing this will help you learn a book on a much deeper level.

6.  Studying A Chapter(s) or A Verse(s)

The things suggested in the previous point apply here, as well.  Review the list.

Let us add, it is extremely important to study a text in its context.  Verses and chapters should be considered in light of the total context.  The total context includes: (a) The immediate context (relevant surrounding material, verses and chapters); (b) The remote context (relevant material in the book, the covenant, and the totality of the Bible).  The total context should be considered, even in the study of a book.  However, it is especially easy to misuse a chapter or a verse by neglecting to consider the total context.

7.  Studying A Character or a Topic

Sometimes one wants to study a character (e.g. David, Peter, Paul or the Holy Spirit) or a topic (e.g. prayer, faith, money, or the temple).  This type of study may involve many passages, spread through many books.

It is important to gather all of the relevant material needed for your study.  There are tools which may help you in gathering the relevant material.  These tools include: concordances, topical Bibles, Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias (many tool are available for free on the web).

Here are some difficulties to keep in mind when doing a character or a topical study.  (1) There may be more than one name for a person, place or thing.  Peter is also called Simon and Cephas.  Paul is also called Saul.  Looking up “money” in a concordance will not locate all relevant material for your study, because money has many names in the Bible (e.g. drachma, denarius, talent, etc.)  A topical Bible may help here.  (2) There may be more than one person, place or thing by the same name or title.  There are multiple men named Joseph, multitude women named Mary, multiple Pharaohs, and multiple Herods.  The ark of Noah and the ark of the covenant are not the same thing.  Make sure the same person, place or thing is under consideration.  (3) One word in English may be from different original words.  Hell, in the King James Version, may be from Gehenna or Hades. A good concordance may be helpful here (e.g. Strong’s, Young’s).  (4) More than one English word may come from the same original word.  Agape is translated “love” and “charity.”  A good concordance in English (e.g. Strong’s), or a concordance of the original languages (e.g. Wigram’s) may be helpful here (free tools may be available on the web).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Suggestions for Bible Students (Part 1)

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Each one of us should be a student, a careful student, of God’s word.  Numerous passages emphasize this point (e.g. Psalm 1:1-3; 119:104; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 7:21-23; 22:29; John 12:48; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; Hebrews 5:12-14; 2 Peter 1:3; 3:14-18).  Roy Deaver wisely mused, “If there is a life after this life – and there is; and if there is a judgment to come – and there is; and if every accountable person shall stand in judgment before the Christ – and each shall; and if this life is given us that we may prepare for the life to come – and this is the case; and If the Bible is our only and all-sufficient guide in making preparation for the judgment, and for the life to come – and it is; then, it has to be the case that a knowledge of the Bible is the most important factor in the education of an individual” (Deaver, How to Study the Bible, p. ix).

1.   Read

It is amazing, how few, who claim to be Christians, have actually read the whole Bible, cover to cover.  This is my observation from my years as a preacher. Guy Woods wrote in 1992, “A typical survey has shown that nearly two-thirds of members of the churches of Christ have never read the Bible through; well over half of them have no regular plan for daily study ..” (Woods, How To Study The New Testament Effectively, p.14). I suspect that things have not improved since he wrote these words.

It is important to read.  Paul told the saints at Ephesus, “When you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4).  He placed reading as a means to their understanding.

Make it your aim to spend time reading God’s word.  Take 15 or 20 minutes a day to read.  This should be sufficient to read the Bible, completely through, in a year.  The average reader can read through the Bible each year, by reading 11-12 minutes per day.

If you have never read through the entire Bible, do so.  Begin today! Do not get side-tracked “chasing rabbits.”  Do not get “bogged down” on things you do not fully understand.  Keep a notepad with you, as you read.  Make a note that you want to later, return  to this point for more study.  However, keep reading.  It is possible that your question(s) may be answered if you’ll just keep reading.

It is important that you find time for this.  Likely, you will not have to change much in your schedule.  However, if you do, it will be worth it (cf. Psalm 119:147-148; Mark 1:35).

A word of caution: Do not read only your favorite sections of scripture.  If you truly want to learn the Bible, read all of it.  Moreover, read it in context.  Do not randomly skip around.  Imagine trying to understand a Tom Clancy or John Grisham with this  approach of randomly skipping around.

2.  Attitude/Will

It is essential that one approach scripture, genuinely desiring to know and do God’s will.  Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?  (Matthew 5:6).  Do you will to do His will?

Many people want to be religious, on their own terms.  Their interpretation of scripture is distorted by what they want (cf. 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:18).  D.R. Dungan observed, “Many things are believed because men wish them to be true, while others are disbelieved for a like reason” (Dungan, Hermeneutics, p. 8).

All need to be on guard.  Let us soberly ask: “Is this what God meant?  Or, is this only what I want Him to mean?”

Moreover, try not to read the Bible through the lens of others. Read it fresh, for yourself. Alexander Campbell wrote, “I have endeavored to read the scriptures as though no one had read them before me; and I am as much on guard against reading them today, through the medium of my views yesterday, or a week ago, as I am against being influenced by any foreign name, authority or system whatever” (West, The Search for the Ancient Order, Vol. 1, p. 56).

3.  Expect

Some shy away from trying to understand the Bible, because they do not believe that they can.  They may believe that one must be a scholar to understand it.  They may believe that the Bible is a book of contradictions which cannot possibly be understood.

Read the Bible expecting to understand it.  (1) God desires that all men come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).  It is reasonable to believe that He gave us a book which mankind is able to understand.  (2) It does not seem to require scholarship or special intellect to understand.  The common people heard Jesus gladly (Mark 12:37).  Timothy knew the Holy Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15).  He understood at least some things from scriptures, at even a young age.  (3) There is an expectation of understanding implied in the scriptures.  Ezra believed that he could understand the law well enough to do it and to teach it (Ezra 7:10).  Jesus taught, “If you abide in My word… you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).  Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus, “When you read, you may understand My knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4).  We are commanded to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).  The command implies that knowledge is attainable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What Constitutes A God-Approved Marriage (Part 2)

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

In this writing, let us consider a couple of things which do not, in and of themselves, constitute a God-approved marriage.  Let us notice…

(1) Sexual union does not constitute marriage.  (a) The sexual union of Dinah and Shechem did not make them married (Genesis 34:1-12).  This was pre-marital sex.  This appears to have been rape.  It did not constitute marriage.  (b) The sexual union of David and Bathsheba did not make them married (2 Samuel 11:1-27).  This was extra-marital sex, adultery.  It did not constitute marriage.  (c) The sexual union of Tamar and Amnon did not make them married (2 Samuel 13:1-22).  This was rape.  There was no marriage formed from this.  (d) Mary was considered Joseph’s wife, long before there was sexual union (Matthew 1:24-25).  Sexual union did not make them married.

Some have thought that sexual union constitutes marriage, due to two passages.  Genesis 2:24 reads, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  1 Corinthians 6:16 reads, “Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her?  For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘Shall become one flesh.'”  Some infer that what is being said is that one becomes married to a harlot, when he has sexual union with her.

I believe that this is a wrong conclusion.  First, the passages mentioned earlier indicate that sexual union does not constitute marriage.  Second, I do not believe “one flesh” is the equivalent of marriage, remember the previous point.  It refers to a closeness which should exist in marriage.  While sexual union may not be the only thing included in the wording, certainly, it is a big part of this closeness, for: (a) this “added language” is only to be expressed in marriage (cf. Hebrews 13:4); (b) it is connected here by implication with sexual union. When one is sexual joined with a harlot, he is behaving as if he has this special closeness with her. He is speaking the “added language” which should only be spoken in marriage. This is contrary to the teachings of Scripture. In context, Christians are to be one with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15-17 cf. Ephesians 5:22-33; 2 Corinthians 11:2).  When we join ourselves to harlots, we are being spiritually unfaithful to Him.  It is an illustration from marriage. Matthew Henry comments, “Now shall one in so close a union with Christ as to be one spirit with him yet be so united to a harlot as to become one flesh with her? … Can any thing be more inconsistent with our profession or relationship?” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible vol. 6, p. 431) (2) Civil law and/or a marriage ceremony does not, in and of itself, constitute a God-approved marriage.  (a) Herod Antipas married Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife (Mark 6:17).  However, John the Baptist spoke against such, saying, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18).  God must do the joining for it to be a God-approved marriage (cf. Matthew 19:6b).  (b) Jesus taught, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).  If God approves of every marriage, then this passage makes no sense.  Remember that one must be eligible to marry, to marry with God’s approval.  Moreover, one must also marry one who is also eligible to marry, to marry with God’s approval.  (c) Paul taught, “For the wife who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives… So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress” (Romans 7:2-3).  Again, “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to who she wishes, only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).  Not everyone is eligible to marry.   (d)  A woman married a snake in 2006, in Orissa, India. The Hindu wedding was witnessed by over 2,000 who attended (timesofindia.indiantimes.com).  Surely, a ceremony alone does not make a God-approved marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

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What Constitutes A God-Approved Marriage? (Part 1)

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

What constitutes marriage? Jesus taught, “from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no more two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 10:6-9).

Let us notice: (1) Marriage, in God’s plan, involves a man and a woman.  Jesus said, “God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife…” (Mark 10:6-7).  He was referencing Genesis 1:27 (Mark 10:6) and Genesis 2:24 (Mark 10:7).  (2) Maturity seems to be implied, “God made them make and female” (Mark 10:6 cf. Genesis 1:27).  Adam and Eve were not infants, or small children which depended on an earthly father and mother.  Adam was to “tend and keep” the Garden (Genesis 2:15).  Eve was “a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18).  Furthermore, it says, “a man shall leave his father and mother” (Mark 10:7 cf. Genesis 2:24).  This implies maturity.  This does not necessarily refer to physically leaving [Noah and his wife, and their three sons and their wives lived together, temporarily, on the ark (Genesis 7-8).  Jacob lived near and worked for his father–in-law for 20 years (Genesis 29-31, esp. 31:38, 41).  Moses lived near and worked for his father-in-law for 40 years (Exodus 2:15; 3:1 cf. Acts 7:29-30)].  However, there is to be a leaving in the sense that a new family unit is to be formed, with all of the responsibilities which goes along with such.  This implies maturity.  Marriage does not consist of 3-year-old children.  (3) Intent is implied.  “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mark 10:7-8 cf. Genesis 2:24).  He is to leave to be “joined to his wife” and “become one flesh.”  William W. Grasham comments, “The idea of being ‘joined’ so as to ‘become one flesh’ indicates that a husband and his wife share in a covenant relationship that involves a pledge of fidelity and permanency that supersedes all other family commitment” (Truth for Today Commentary, Genesis 1-22, p. 198).  The word “joined” (NKJV), “cleave” (KJV), or “hold fast” (ESV) means “‘to join fast together, to glue, cement’ is primarily said of metals and other materials” (Vine’s).  This is speaking of forming more than a weak, temporary, for the moment union.  God’s ideal for marriage is a life-time commitment (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39).  The intent of the man is implied (Mark 10:7-8).  The woman should also have a say in forming this marriage (Genesis 24:57-58).

Let us further notice: (4) Marriage should be made known to others. God joined Adam and Eve in the very first marriage. There were no human witnesses. There were no other humans. However, since then, marriages, typically, have had some form of public announcement or ceremony before witnesses (Consider: Genesis 29:21-22; Ruth 4:9-11; John 2:1-2; Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13).  William Grashem writes, “Marriage is not just one’s own private business.  Rather, two individuals (a male and a female) declare to their families, their friends, and their society that they are uniting in this most intimate way to form a new family unit” (ibid).  (5) There is the matter of eligibility.  God’s word should be the standard in determining such.  I believe that there are 3 classes of people, who may marry with God’s approval: (a) Those who have never married another (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:22-25); (b) Those whose mates have died (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Timothy 5:14); (c) Those who have put away their mates, because of their mate’s fornication (Matthew 19:9).  (6) There should be compliance with civil law, if any exists (Romans 13:1-2; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17).  There are two exceptions: (a) When the government orders us to do what God does not want us to do; (b) When the government forbids us to do what God wants us to do (Acts 4:19; 5:29). A word of caution: Texas law makes it very easy to claim common law marriage.  Familiarize yourself with the law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In The News: Hurricane Harvey

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 hurricane, came ashore in Rockport, Texas on August 26.  It is the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the continuous United States (Wikipedia).  Some areas have received nearly 52” of rain (washingtonpost.com).  No part of Harris County has received less than 20” of rain (nytimes.com).  It had rained an estimated 24.5 trillion gallons of water, as of the morning of August 30 (washingtonpost.com).  [The Chesapeake Bay contains about 18 trillion gallons (ibid).  If 20 trillion gallons were piled over the District of Columbia the height of the water would be 1,410 feet, almost the height of the Empire State Building (ibid).]  It is forecast to continue to rain through August 31.  Some 779,000 Texans have been ordered to evacuate their homes and another 980,000 have fled on their own (yahoo.com).  My aunt and uncle, who had been stranded in their flooded home in Orange, Texas, were rescued today, August 31, by some kind souls from Oklahoma, who had come down to help.

Here are a few thoughts that I have from Harvey…

1.  There are kind people in this world.

If one listen only to the 24-hour cable news channels, one likely, will have a very negative outlook.  Rarely, is anything good reported. It is all about wrongs, and divisions. The country is racially divided.  It is politically divided.  It is about to erupt in anarchy, civil war, or violence at any moment.

It is true that there is much evil in this world.  It is true that sin reigns in this world.

However, it is also true that there are kind souls in this world.  Kind people from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and as far away as New York came to help.

God wants us to help, as we have opportunity, those in need.  We are to be as the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

2.  Kindness alone is not enough.

Cornelius was a kind man.  He “gave alms generously to the people” (Acts 10:2).  Yet, he was told “send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13-14); “He will tell you what you must do” (Acts 10:6).  Simon commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).

The following things should not be overlooked. Every spiritual blessing is in Christ (Ephesians 1:3, 7; 1 John 5:11).  One gets into Christ by baptism (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3).  “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

3.  We should be zealous soul winners.

While listening to the news, I heard one reporter ask a man from another state why he was there, in Texas.  He said that he was trying to help rescue as many as he could.

Are we?  Do we care as much about spiritual salvation, as this man did about physical salvation?  “Rescue the perishing, care for they dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.  Rescue the perishing, care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save” (Song: Rescue the Perishing by Fanny Crosby).  The early church “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).  Shouldn’t we?

4.  News reports are not always accurate.

In Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) airport, I heard a CNN report which said that the storm had come ashore pounding Rockport, Texas and Port Arkansas.  This was said several times.  Moreover, the news reader seemed to think that it was Port, Arkansas.  In truth, it was Port Aransas, Texas.  It is easy to understand how this mistake may have been made (misreading or mistyping).

However, there is a point to learn here, facts should be checked.  This is true in everyday life.  Too many repeat things that they’ve heard without fact-checking.  This is true when it comes to the Biblical matters, and in the spiritual realm.  Too many repeat things that they’ve heard without fact-checking.  May we be as careful and caring as the Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). May we, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

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Prophecy: A Ram, A Goat, And A Little Horn

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Daniel 8 records a vision of Daniel.  This vision is said to have occurred in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar (Daniel 8:1).  Belshazzar was co-regent with his father Nabonidus (cf. Daniel 5:7, 29).  He was the last of Babylon’s rulers, before it fell to Persia [Babylon’s rulers between Assyrian rule and Persian rule: (1) Nabopolassar (626-605 B.C.)  (2) Nebuchadnezzar II (606-562 B.C.) (3) Evil – Merodach (562-560 B.C.) (4) Neriglissar (560-556 B.C.)  (5) Labashi-Marduk (556 B.C.)  (6) Nabonidus (556-539 B.C.) \  Belshazzar (c. 550-539 B.C.)].  The third year of his reign would be c. 548/547 B.C..  The vision foretells of coming kingdoms, and difficult times to come in Israel’s future.  The intent, no doubt, is to build the faith of future generations.

A Ram 

“Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last” (Daniel 8:3).

The ram with two horns is Medo-Persia (Daniel 8:20).  Media was more ancient.  Persia was more powerful.  The two would be united under Cyrus the Great.  Cyrus was the son of Cambyses, King of Persia; he was the grandson of Astyage, King of Media, through his mother.

“I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great” (Daniel 8:4).

Don Simpson comments, “The three directions mentioned directs our attention to Persia’s greatest conquests: 1.  Babylon, Syria, and Asia Minor to the west; 2. the regions around the Caspian Sea to the north; and 3. Egypt and Ethiopia to the south” (Simpson, A Textual Study of the Book of Daniel, p. 100).

A Goat

“And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.  Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.  And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns.  There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand” (Daniel 8:5-7).

The male goat is Greece (Daniel 8:21).  Greece moved with speed.  It is as if the feet of this animal does not even touch the ground.  Greece moved with fury against Persia.  Persia’s two earlier attempts to conquer Greece had infuriated them (492-490 B.C. and 480-479 B.C.).  Greece defeated Persia at the Battle of Gaugamela, October 1, 331 B.C..

The notable horn between the eyes of the goat is its first king (Daniel 8:21).  The is Alexander the Great.

“Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven” (Daniel 8:8).

Alexander’s kingdom ultimately, was divided into four parts, between four generals.  (1) Cassander controlled Macedonia and Greece.  (2) Lysimachus controlled Thrace and much of Asia Minor.  (3) Seleucus controlled Syria and vast areas to the east.  (4) Ptolemy controlled Egypt and areas to the South.

A Little Horn

“And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land… by him the daily sacrifices were taken away… Because of transgression an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifice… How long will the vision be concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?  And he said to me, ‘For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed‘” (Daniel 8:9-14).

The little horn is the Seleucid King, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes.  He ruled from 175-164 B.C.. He went south into Egypt, east into Elymais and Armenia, and into the Glorious Land, Israel (see Rex Turner Sr., Daniel: A Prophet of God, p.159).  The horror of his reign, on Israel, is well documented (1 Maccabees 1, 2 Maccabees 5, Josephus Antiquities 12; Josephus War 1).  “He carried away the golden vessels and treasures of the temple, putting a stop to the sacrifices.  He polluted the altar by offering up swine on it, knowing this was against the law of Moses.  He compelled the Jews to give up their worship of God and to stop circumcising their children.  Those who persisted were mutilated, strangled, or crucified with their children hung from their necks” (Josephus, The Essential Writings, p. 209-210).  He made the sanctuary desolate (1 Maccabees 1:41).

Why did God allow this?  The answer is, “because of transgression” (Daniel 8:12, 23).  God used this evil man to punish Israel.  “His power shall be mighty but not by his own power” (Daniel 8:24).

How long would this last?  The answer is 2,300 days (Daniel 8:14), or literally 2,300 evenings and mornings (see E.S.V.).  (1) Some understand this as 2,300 days.  The ESV Study Bible reads, “perhaps signifying the period from 170 B.C., the death of Onias III, the high priest, to December 14, 164 (B.C.), when Judas Maccabeus cleansed and rededicated the temple cf. 1 Maccabees 4:52.”  (2) Some understand this as 2,300 evening and morning sacrifices.  That is: 1,150 days.  This is just over 3 years.  Josephus indicates that the temple was desolate for 3 years (Josephus Antiquities 12.7.6).  (3) Some believe that the number is figurative.  Don Simpson comments, “The number is 2,300 days, which is about 6 years and 4 months.  This is short of seven years… The fact that the number falls short of seven may give reason to interpret it as just short of a complete number” (Simpson, p. 102).  These time were difficult. They came close, but did not destroy Israel.  Regardless of the view the point to keep in mind is that this would not continue forever.  It would not last.

“But he shall be broken without human means” (Daniel 8:25).

God’s providence brought him down.  He died of disease and in pain (2 Maccabees 6). We’re told “worms swarmed out of the body of this man… the man that thought a little before he could reach the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry, for the intolerable stench” (2 Maccabees 9:10).  He was no God.  He was a man who died in a shameful state.

A Great Lesson

Always remember that God is ultimately in control.  He gave man this power, and He took it away.  May we remember, “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17, 25).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Deceiving Men

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Abe Lincoln is credited with saying: “You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” There is no solid evidence that Lincoln ever said these famous words, which are credited to him.  Whether he did or not, these words do compose a good proverb.

Let us consider a story of someone deceiving a man, who was not known for being gullible, and certainly not a bleeding-heart.  Edgar H. Smith Jr. was the deceiver.  William F. Buckley Jr. was the deceived.

On March 04, 1957 Vickie Zielinski, a 15-year old from Ramsey, New Jersey, disappeared during a walk home from a friend’s house.  Her remains were found the next day, near a sandpit, in nearby Mahwah, New Jersey.

Evidence soon pointed to Edgar Smith (b. 1934).  He was arrested (March 06, 1957) and convicted of first-degree murder.  He was sentenced (May 28, 1957) to die in the electric chair.

While on death row, in 1962, Smith began to correspond with William F. Buckley Jr., the founder of National Review.  Buckley began to have doubts about Smith’s guilt. The state’s time-line troubled Buckley.  Buckley wrote, “By the time I had completed my investigation, I was convinced that at the very least there was reasonable doubt to Smith’s guilt, and eventually, I became persuaded that Smith was innocent.  I was not alone” (Buckley, Right Reason, p. 186). In time, Smith wrote over 2,900 pages of letters to Buckley.

Smith spent 14 years at New Jersey State Prison.  In 1971, Smith was successful with his 19th appeal.  His confession was ruled to have been obtained under duress.  Smith was offered a plea deal.  If he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, he would be released on parole.  He accepted, and as released on December 06, 1971.

Smith was, for a short while, in demand.  He made appearances on radio and TV shows (including Buckley’s Firing Line, the Mike Douglas Show, the Merv Griffin Show).  He spoke on lectures for colleges and universities.  He wrote books.  One of which argued for penal reform.

Then, Smith’s true character was revealed.  On October 01, 1976 he kidnapped a 33 year-old woman, Lefteriya Lisa Ozbun, in San Diego, California.  She escaped, but not before being stabbed by him (she would survive). There were eyewitnesses to the escape, who could identify Smith. Smith fled.  Later, he phoned Buckley’s office. Buckley was not there, but in Albuquerque lecturing.  Buckley’s secretary took down Smith’s contact information, and passed it to Buckley.  Buckley immediately turned it over to the F.B.I.. Smith was arrested, October 13, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  he was found guilty of kidnapping with the intent to rob, and attempted murder.  On April 26, 1977 Smith was sentenced to life in prison.  During the trial, Smith admitted to killing Zielinski by smashing her skull with a large rock.

Buckley lived to regret his belief in, and help of Smith. He would write, “It would seem plain that Edgar Smith must never be released from custody” (ibid, p.212).

Smith showed no remorse for anything.  He said of Buckley, “I don’t have much sympathy for Bill Buckley. He got his two-hour TV show” (ibid, 211).

I tell this story for a reason.  It is not simply to recount the criminal life of Edgar Smith Jr..  It is not to speak negatively of William F. Buckley Jr..  It is to point out that it is possible to deceive men.

However, may we always remember that one cannot deceive God.  Do not try.  “God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  “God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

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Prophecy: Squeezed In A Vise

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Bryan Hodge

Have you ever felt like you were being squeezed in a vise?  Life is not always easy.  Job’s assessment: “Man who is born of women is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Sometimes this trouble comes from our faithfulness to God.  Paul warned, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Daniel 11 foretells how Israel would be squeeze between the south (Egypt) and the north (Syria).  Let’s notice…

Persia

“Behold three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all” (Daniel 11:2).

This prophecy occurs in the first year of Darius the Mede (Daniel 11:1).  If this Darius the Mede is Ugbaru, then date is 539 B.C. (cf. Daniel 5:30-31).  If this Darius the Mede is Gubaru, then date is 538 B.C..  Either way, Cyrus is reigning.

Five Persian kings are mentioned: (1) Cyrus II (the Great) 539-530 B.C. is now reigning. After him will come four more Persian kings in this prophecy… (2) Cambyses II 530-522 B.C. (3) Bardiya (Smerdis or Pseudo-Smerdis/ Gaumata) 522 B.C. (4) Darius I (the Great) 522-486 B.C. (5) Xerxes I 485-465 B.C.  This one would be far richer than the others who followed Cyrus (a.k.a. Ahasuerus, Esther 1).

“…by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece” (Daniel 11:2).

Xerxes tried to invade Greece (480-479 B.C.).  His effort was great.  Herodotus lists 58 nations, or peoples, subject to Xerxes, who composed this invading force into Greece (Heroditus Book 7).  However, the invasion failed.

Greece

“Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will” (Daniel 11:3).

This is Alexander the Great.  He, in rage, moved against Persia (Daniel 8:7).  He defeated Persia at the Battle of Gaugamela, October 1, 331 B.C..

“And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled” (Daniel 11:4).

Alexander died in June 323 B.C.  He was 33 years old.

He left no heir to reign.  His wife, Roxana (from Bactria, located in modern-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan), gave birth, after his death, to his son Alexander IV. However, one of the generals, Cassander, had Roxana and the child killed (c. 310 B.C.).

Alexander’s kingdom was, ultimately divided into four parts, between four generals.  (1) Cassander controlled Macedonia and Greece.  (2) Lysimachus controlled Thrace and much of Asia Minor.  (3) Seleucus controlled Syria and vast areas to the east.  (4) Ptolemy controlled Egypt and areas to the south.

It is these last two divisions, we are going to focus on in this study.  Israel was geographically located between Egypt and Syria, in an area greatly contested over, by these two powers.

Kings of The South and The North

Daniel 11:5-45, by prophecy, speaks of power ebbing and flowing between these two powers over a period of one and a half centuries (323-164 B.C.).  At time, Egypt (the South) was stronger (Daniel 11:7-9, 10-12, 29-30).  At times, Syria (the North) was stronger (Daniel 11:5, 13-17, 25, 40-43).

Israel was in a bad spot.  Consider: (1) “He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power” (Daniel 11:16).  Antiochus III, the Great, of Syria (223-187 B.C.) took control of Israel (c. 197 B.C.).  (2) “There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom” (Daniel 11:20).  Seleucus IV, Philopator of Syria (187-175 B.C.) heavily taxed the Israelites to pay tribute to Rome (cf. 2 Maccabees 3).  (3) “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the King of the South… While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so shall he do damage and return to his own land” (Daniel 11:25-28).  Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, of Syria (175-164 B.C.) plundered Egypt (170-169 B.C.).  He also, on his way home, and suspecting disloyalty in Israel, plundered the temple in Jerusalem, killed 80,000, and took 40,000 prisoners in the space of three days (1 Maccabees 1:21-28; 2 Maccabees 5:11-21).  (4) “He shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.  For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage… then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:29-31).  Antiochus IV again invaded Egypt in 168/167 A.D..  He was defeated.  Rome and Cyprus had allied with Egypt.  Antiochus took his anger out on Israel, as he returned home (1 Maccabees 1:31-ff; 2 Maccabees 5:25-26; 6:1-ff).  He instructed them to leave their own law (1 Maccabees 1:43).  He burned copies of the Bible (1 Maccabees 1:59).  He prohibited Jewish religious practices (1 Maccabees 1:47-48, 51, 63-64).  He made idols and encouraged sacrifice to such (1 Maccabees 1:45, 50).  (5) “At the time of the end the King of the South shall attack him; and the King of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind… He shall also enter the Glorious Land” (Daniel 11:41).  Don Simpson suggests that this refers to the end of the Ptolemy Kingdom with Mark Anthony and Cleopatra being defeated by Octavian (Augustus) at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C., followed by Roman rule being settled in Judea (Don Simpson, The Book of Daniel, pp. 142-145).  However, Rex Turner Sr. understands this as a recapitulation or overview of things leading to Antiochus’ downfall (Turner, Daniel: A Prophet of God, pp. 255-256).

There were great temptations to not remain faithful to God in the days of Antiochus. Some Jews “joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil” (1 Maccabees 1:16).  “Many Jews consented to his service: and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the Sabbath” (1 Maccabees 1:45).  “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery” (Daniel 11:32).

How to Respond

1.  Stand for truth and teach others.

“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.  And those of the people who understand shall instruct many” (Daniel 11:32-33).

When evil abounds, may we continue to stand for truth, do God’s will, and teach others to do the same.  Such is our duty.

2.  Remember the big picture.

“For many days they shall fall by the sword and flame, by captivity and plundering (Daniel 11:33). Yes, the righteous do suffer, at times, in this life.

However, consider the big picture. “And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by the sword and flame, by captivity and plundering…And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to everlasting shame and contempt.  Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 11:33; 12:2-3). “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). “Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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