A Talking Serpent, A Talking Donkey, Caring Ravens, and A Man-Swallowing Fish

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

The Bible contains some events that some people find hard to believe.  Let’s consider four of these.

1.  The Serpent (Genesis 3)“Now the serpent… he said to the woman” (Genesis 3:1).  How could a serpent talk?

We should understand that the tempter is actually the devil (cf. Revelation 12:9; 20:2; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 14).  He appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent.  He can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).  God has, at times, granted him certain power over nature (e.g. Job 1:6-19; 2:6-8).

Why would Eve speak with a serpent?  This may be due to her being in a trusting, naive state at this point.  We do not know how long Adam and Eve had been in the garden at this point. 

The curse of the serpent going on its belly and eating dust is a picture of humiliation or defeat (cf. Genesis 3:14; Psalm 72:8-9; Isaiah 49:23; 65:25; Micah 7:16-17). The serpent on its belly is a symbol of Satan’s humiliation.

There is an important lesson we should not miss.  We should reject temptation no matter who presents it, and no matter what form it comes to us. 

2.  The Donkey (Numbers 22)    “Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam…” (Numbers 22:28).  How could a donkey speak?                          

The answer is plainly stated.  The LORD caused this to happen.  The real issue is: Do we have faith in God and in his power?

Why would Balaam speak with a donkey?  Anger is likely the answer.  Devin W. Dean comments, “Consider what anger had done to Balaam; When God grants the donkey the ability to speak, Balaam just goes right into the conversation.  Anger has blinded him even to the miracle being performed in front of his eyes” (Editor Stan Crowley, Studies in Numbers and Deuteronomy, the Eighteenth Annual Schertz Lectures, p. 243).

There are a few important lessons we should not miss.  (1) God should be feared.  The donkey seems to fear the Angel of the LORD more than Balaam fears the LORD.  (2) One should be careful when he is angry.  Anger seems to have temporarily blinded Balaam to reality.  (3) One should not rashly or quickly turn against a servant with a history of loyal service.  Balaam was ready to kill his donkey even though the donkey had been a loyal servant in the past (Numbers 22:23-30).  Moreover, the donkey saved Balaam’s life on this occasion (Numbers 22:31-33).  (4) One should be willing to listen to reason and receive truth, no matter who speaks it.  One writer states it this way: “However God speaks to you listen up… Do you find it hard to believe that your wife’s counsel could be the voice of God?  However God speaks to you, listen up!  Do you get tired of the preacher telling you to open up your hand to the poor and give liberally?  However God speaks to you, listen up!” (Calvin Miller, Preaching: The Art of Narrative Exposition, p. 109).  “Test all things; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). 

3.  The Ravens (1 Kings 17).

“The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook” (1 Kings 17:6).  How could ravens feed Elijah?

The answer is plainly stated.  The LORD commanded them to do this (1 Kings 17:1-5).  The Bible indicates that God can control animals (e.g. Genesis 2:19; 6:20; 7:8-9; 1 Kings 17:1-6; Daniel 6:22; Jonah 1:17; 2:10). [However, did you know that there have been many reports of crows and ravens bringing gifts to people who feed or show kindness to them? They are very smart.]

There is another interpretation which has been suggested.  Some believe that this does not refer to birds but to people, the inhabitance of Oreb (raven) or Orbo (e.g. Pulpit Commentaries, Clark Commentary, studylight.org).  I am not convinced that there is an adequate reason to draw this conclusion.

Here are a few possible lessons.  (1) Some blessings are conditional.  Elijah had to be in the place God specified to receive the food from the ravens (1 Kings 17:1-6).  (2) God may use the unclean to accomplish good.  The raven was an unclean animal (Leviticus 11:13-15).  (3) It is possible to bring clean food to another and still be unclean oneself.  Charles Spurgeon said, “But see too how possible it is for us to carry bread and meat to God’s servants, and do some good things for his church, and be ravens still!” (enduringword.com). 

4.  The Sea Creature (Jonah 1-2). 

“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah.  And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights… so the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (Jonah 1:17; 2:10).  There are certain commonly asked questions about this.

What was this, a fish or a whale?  It is called a fish (Jonah 1:17; 2:1; 2:10; Matthew 12:40 NKJV).  Some have rendered it as a whale (e.g. Matthew 12:40 KJV).  The Hebrew word is dahg.  Apologetics Press says this in their Defending the Faith Study Bible, “we conclude… that the word used in the book of Jonah… refers indiscriminately to any type of fish… However, a point of clarification need to be sounded even here.  According to the present zoological nomenclature, a ‘whale’ is not a ‘fish’ – it is classified as a mammal.  Hebrew linguistic experts note no such distinction in the terms used in the Old Testament.  The ordinary term for ‘fish’ (dahg) would not necessarily exclude the whale in its application.  God was under no obligation to classify animals thousands of years ago according to our modern classification scheme” (p. 1653).  The Greek word is ketos.  Apologetics Press says this, “The Septuagint translators (Greek translation of the Old Testament – B.H.) used the same term in their rendering or Jonah 1:17… Arndt Gingrich offers only one definition of ketos – ‘sea monster’… Thayer lists three terms “sea monster, whale, huge fish,’ with the reference to ‘whale’ being merely one possibility” (p. 1636).  We cannot narrow this down anymore.

Could this really happen?  Notice that it says that God “prepared” this great fish to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1:17). [God prepared four things in this book for Jonah (1) great fish (1:17); (2) plant (4:6); (3) worm (4:7); (4) east wind (4:8)].  Wayne Jackson comments, “Commentators have assembled a number of cases in which huge sharks or whales have swallowed creatures larger than a man (Robinson 1957, 78-79), but such examples actually are irrelevant, for the text states that the Lord ‘prepared’ (appointed) this creature for a specific purpose” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 417).

Could one really survive three days and three nights in the belly of the fish?  If one does not deny the power of God, then it is certainly possible. If one denies God such power, then the message of the Bible falls apart (e.g. creation, inspiration, prophecy, virgin birth, resurrection.).  However, some think that it is possible that Jonah died.  He said, “out of the belly of Sheol I cried” (Jonah 2:1) and “You have brought up my life from the pit” (Jonah 2:6).  Is this literal language or figurative language? 

Here are a couple of lessons.  (1) It is far better to listen to God than to go against him.  (2) Jonah coming forth after three days and three nights are a type of Jesus being resurrected after three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40).  Do you believe in the power of God?

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Odd Association, Strange Fellowship, Wonderful Fellowship

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.  The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young one shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like an ox.  The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his and in the viper’s den” (Isaiah 11:6-8). 

Some think that this teaches that one day the whole world will be at peace.  Some of these even take the language as literal.  They believe that even the animals will one day be at peace.  Predator and prey, they will no longer be.

Others think that this does not describe earth, but heaven.  They believe that this peace will exist in heaven.

However, I believe that these views are mistaken.  I do not believe that this describes universal world peace, and I do not believe that this refers to peace in heaven. 

This refers to what happens in the LORD’s holy mountain (Isaiah 11:9 cf. 2:2; Daniel 2:35, 44).  This refers to people – who once were very different with very different interests and even adversarial in relationship – being brought together in Christ, in the body of Christ (i.e. in the church). Consider this, Paul applies this section of Scripture to the Gentiles under the New Testament (Isaiah 11:10 in Romans 15:12).      

 He writes, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). When Christ is truly followed, peace, harmony, and reconciliation is possible.

The church should be the greatest unity movement ever.  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).  He “created in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:15).  “There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:11).  The things which divide us should no longer do so in Christ.  Jew and Gentile can be one in Christ (Ephesians 2:15).  Matthew (once a tax collector) and Simon (once a zealot, who no doubt wanted to remove the yoke of Rome) were brought together by Christ (Matthew 10:1-4 cf. Luke 6:12-16).  I once preached in a congregation that had Russians and Ukrainians worshipping together.  Brethren from north and south in the U.S.A. can do the same.  Whites and blacks can do the same. 

Jesus desired and prayed for the unity of believers (John 17:20-23).  Are we praying for such?  Are we stiving for such?  “Pursue with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). True Christianity is beautiful. Let’s practice it.           

                         

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Two More Animals from Job: Behemoth and Leviathan

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

The LORD mentions twelve animals to Job in Job 38:39-41:34.  These are designed to serve as examples of God’s power, wisdom, and care of this planet.  The first ten are somewhat familiar to us: lion, raven, wild mountain goat, deer, wild donkey, wild ox, ostrich, horse, hawk, and eagle.  The last two are more difficult to identify: Behemoth and Leviathan. 

Some suggest that these are not real, but mythical creatures.  However, this does not seem to fit the context.  (1) God is reasoning about his wise and sovereign rule in the universe.  How would an appeal to non-existent animals serve this purpose?  (2) The first ten animals are real animals.  Why would God switch to the unreal?

It is my belief that these are real animals, animals with which Job would have been familiar.  Let’s take a look.

1.  Behemoth (Job 40:15-24).

“Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you…”  Behemoth is the plural form for the Hebrew word “beast” (Behema).  It is joined to singular verbs and singular pronouns.  The plural, “Behemoth,” is majestic plural.  It is used for intensification.  It means “great beast.”

This beast is described.  It eats grass (40:15).  It is strong (40:16-18).  It eats and plays in the mountains (40:20) but is also no stranger to water (40:21-24).  It is “the first of the ways of God” (40:19).  It is difficult to kill or capture (40:19, 24 ESV).  

What is this animal?  Some have suggested that it is a hippopotamus or an elephant.  The ASV contains this footnote: “That is, the hippopotamus.”  The RSV contains this note: “or the hippopotamus or the elephant.”  The NIV Study Bible has this note: “possibly the hippopotamus or the elephant.” 

However, there are difficulties with this view.  (1) This creature’s tail is compared with a cedar (40:17).  This does not seem to fit the hippopotamus or the elephant.  (2) This creature is said to be “the first of the ways of God” (40:19).  The ASV reads “the chief…” Holman Christian Standard Bible reads, “the foremost…”  The NIV reads “ranks first…”  The Hippopotamus is large, (4-5 feet tall, 13-16 feet long, 3-4 tons).  The elephant is even larger (10-13 feet tall, 18-24 feet long, 6-7 tons). This could fit. However, larger creatures have lived on earth, e.g. some dinosaurs.  Argentinosaurus was much larger (estimated to be 120 feet long, 100 tons).  (3) This animal feeds in the mountains (40:20).  This does not eliminate the elephant; nor, does it eliminate the pygmy hippopotamus (but it is smaller, 2-3 feet tall, 4-6 feet long, 400-600 pounds).  It does eliminate most hippopotamus.  (4) It appears to be almost impossible to conquer (40:24 ESV).  Elephants have been controlled and used by men from early history. Herodotus (5th century B.C.) mentions Egyptians in his day using the hides of hippopotamus (Herodotus, History Books 2:71).

This may describe a large grass-eating dinosaur.  [The word “dinosaur” was not coined until 1842 by paleontologist Richard Owens.  It comes from a combination of Greek word: “deinos” = terrible, fearfully great; “sauros” = lizard.] However, the exact identity of Behemoth is uncertain.

This speaks of God’s might.  He made this animal (40:15).  He does not fear this animal (40:19).  The Creator is mightier than creation.  He should be feared. 

2.  Leviathan (Job 41:1-34).

“Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?”  Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “A transliterated Hebrews word (livyathan) meaning ‘twisted,’ ‘coiled’” (studytools.com).

This creature is described.  It swims in the sea (41:7, 31-32 cf. Psalm 104:26).  It is also in the mire (41:30).  It is difficult to capture or kill (41:12, 22).  It has terrible teeth (41:14).  It has impenetrable scales (41:15-17, 23-24, 26-29).  It has a tough underside (41:30).  It has eyes like the morning (41:18).  Does this refer to the color of the eyes?  Or, does this refer to the eyes appearing first from the water?  It is described as breathing fire and smoke (41:18-21).  Is this literal?  Or, does this refer to steam coming from the water as it breathes?  It appears to be especially frightening when it raises itself up (41:25).  It is made without fear (41:33).    

What is this animal?  Some have suggested that it is the crocodile.  The ASV has this note: “That is, the crocodile.”  The RSV contains this note: “or the crocodile.”  The NIV Study Bible contains this note: “possibly the crocodile.”  Admittedly, the crocodile does fit some of the descriptions.  (1) It is in the water and the mire (41:30-32).  (2) It does twist and can churn the water (41:31).  (3) Its eyes do appear first from the water (possible meaning of 41:18).  (4) It may blow water from its nostrils.  This may appear to be steam or smoke and may even reflect light (41:18-21).  (5) It does have many teeth (41:14).  Most species of crocodile have between 60 and 70 teeth.  Some have up to 100 teeth (Crocodile Teeth: Everything You Need to Know, a-z-animals.com).  Their teeth are also replaced when they fall out. 

However, there are difficulties with this view.  (1)  This animal appears to be especially frightening when it raises up (41:25). This does not seem to fit the crocodile. (However, I have seen video alligators climb over fences and up trees.)  (2) It appears to be tall (41:34).  Crocodiles are big (They can be over 20 feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds).  However, are they tall? This does not seem to fit the crocodile.  (3) It has a tough underside (41:30).  This does not fit the crocodile.  (4) This animal is not made a servant, or a pet, and is not traded by merchants (41:4-6).  Does this fit the crocodile?  Herodotus (5th century B.C.) tells how Egyptians hunted, captured, made pets of, and ate crocodile (Herodotus, The Histories Book 2:69-70).  (5) It is most natural to understand this animal to be fire-breathing (41:18-21). If so, this does not fit the crocodile.

This may describe some extinct aquatic animal, reptile, or dinosaur type animal, e.g. Plesiosaurus, Spinosaurus.  This may be a dragon.  [Did they really live?  There are legends of them found in many cultures around the globe.  Can an animal breathe fire?  The Bombardier Beetle can emit blasts of hot gas at 212 degrees (F).]  The exact identity of Leviathan is uncertain.

This speaks of God’s might.  The LORD asks, “No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up.  Who then is able to stand against Me”? (41:10-11) God is to be feared. All should appreciate who he is. 

Bonus facts.  Did you know that the Blue Whale is believed to be the largest creature that ever lived?  It can exceed 100 feet in length and weigh as much as 200 tons – the weight of 30 elephants!  (Blue Whale, monteraybayaquarium.org).

Did you know that some use “leviathan” as a name for large powerful governments or businesses? Thomas Hobbes wrote a book titled Leviathan in 1651. The book argues for a strong central government for maintaining order. Many have opposed his beliefs. “Behemoth” is also now used to refer to something big and powerful including business, government, and religious organizations,

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Ten Animals From Job

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

The Lord mentions twelve animals to Job in Job 38:39-41:34.  These are designed to serve as examples of God’s power, wisdom, and care of things on this planet.  The mentioning of these animals and his control over nature and the universe itself has a humbling effect on Job (Job 40:4; 42:6).  In this lesson, we will consider the first ten animals.  We will save Behemoth and Leviathan for another lesson. 

1.   The Lion (Job 38:39-40).  “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lion…?”  Who feeds the animals?  Who set up the food-web which has sustained animals, such as lions, to this day?  God did this (cf. Psalm 104:21).  Did you know that lions are believed to ordinarily feed every three or four days, and need an average between 5-7 kilograms (11-15 pounds) of food per day? (Lions, Kruger Park Wildlife Facts, krugerpark.co.za).

2.  The Raven (Job 38:41).  “Who provides food for the raven…?”  Who feeds the birds?  God does (Psalm147:9; Luke 12:24).  Did you know that the Common Raven (Corvus Corax) is the largest of the perching birds?  It can reach a length of up to 26 inches and have a wingspan of up to 4 feet?  (Raven, Britannica.com).  A common raven can weigh over 3 pounds (Common Raven Diet and Size, binocularbase.com).  It needs a little over 300 calories per day (What Do Ravens Eat?  birdfacts.com).

The passage in Job also mentions that sometimes ravens “wander about for the lack of food.”  God’s design is amazing.  When birds wander from place to place, they help in seed distribution. 

3.  The Wild Mountain Goat (Job 39:1).  “Do you know the time when the wild mountain goats bear young?”  These animals live in hills and mountains (Psalm 104:18).  They live in remote areas away from where people ordinarily live.  They are shy and elusive.  Do you know when they give birth?  There were many things Job did not know.  God does.  He created them.  He cares for them.

4. The Deer (Job 39:1b-4).  “Can you mark when the deer [hinds (ASV); does (ESV)] give birth?  It is possible that this is synonymous parallelism (i.e. this may simply be a restating of the question asked in the first part of verse one).  Whether this is speaking of a different kind of animal, or not,  the point is much the same.  God knows.  Moreover, his voice can cause it to happen (Psalm 29:9). 

5.  The Wild Donkey (Job 39:5-8).  “Who set the wild donkey free?  Who loosed the bonds of onager whose home I have made the wilderness and barren land his dwelling?”  This is not a domesticated donkey (onager is a species of wild donkey).  This animal does not want to be in the city and it is not a servant of man (Job 39:7).  Who set this animal free?  (i.e. who placed this animal in the wilderness?)  Who provides for its needs?  God does.  He takes care of many things which escape our notice. 

6.  The Wild Ox (Job 39:9-12).  “Will the wild ox be willing to serve you?”  There are different views as to the exact identity of this animal.  Many believe that this refers to a wild cow (bovine), perhaps the Aurochs, or some species of buffalo.  Others have suggested the Rhinoceros.  Wherever the exact identity, this animal is strong, untamed, and does not depend on man.  Who created this powerful animal?  Who cares for it? 

7.  The Ostrich (Job 39:13-18).  “The wings of an ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly storks?”  Most birds, like the stork, use their wings to fly.  The ostrich uses its wings for balance and maneuvering while running.  It can run.  It can outrun a horse (cf. Job 39:18).  It can reach speeds of up to 43 miles-per-hour in a short sprint and maintain speeds of 30-37 miles-per-hour over longer distances (How Fast Is An Ostrich? And More Fun Facts, nationalzoo.si.edu).  It can maintain this speed for about 30 miles (How Fast Can Ostriches Run?, birdwatchingdaily.com). 

 This is the world’s largest bird.  It stands between 6-9 feet tall and can weigh over 300 pounds.

In some way, this bird appears to be very unintelligent (Job 39:14-17).  While it may not be the most intelligent animal, it may also be misunderstood.  Wayne Jackson explains, “The ostrich lays thirty or more eggs in a nest of sand… The outer eggs are sometimes exposed and so ‘trampled.’  It appears that she ‘forgot’ to cover them but in the design of God, these serve as food for the chicks that subsequently hatch!… She will flee the nest when danger is imminent, though this is frequently a play to distract predators” (Wayne Jackson, The Book of Job, p. 83).  This seeming stupid bird has been able to survive for thousands of years on the earth.  God made this animal.

8.  The Horse (Job 39:19-25).  “Have you given the horse strength?  Have you clothed his neck with thunder?”  Horses are magnificent animals.  Humans have a long history of using the strength of this animal (horse power) for work, transportation, and war (e.g. Genesis 50:9; Exodus 14:17; 15:21; Psalm 20:7; Esther 6:11; Acts 23:23; James 3:3).  Who gave this creature its strength, and its mane that thunders when it shakes its neck?  God did.

9.  The Hawk (Job 39:26).  “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom…?  No, it is by God’s wisdom.

The ability of birds to fly has fascinated man.  However, it is only in recent years that man has gained the ability to fly.  (1) The first manned flight in a hot air balloon occurred on November 21, 1783 in Paris, France.  The passengers were Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent, Marquis d’ Arlandes.  The designers were Joseph-Michel and Jacques – Etienne Montgolfier (Celebrating 241 Years Since The First Balloon Flight, seattleballooning.com).  (2) The first successful airplane flight occurred on December 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  The airplane flew for 12 seconds, traveling 120 feet.  The pilot was Orville Wright.  The designers were Wilbur and Orville Wright (1903 Flyer, airandspace.si.edu).  It took intelligence to make these flights possible.  However, long before this God designed the bird and gave it the ability to fly. 

10.  The Eagle (Job 39:27-30).   “Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high?”  Eagles can soar as high as 10,000 – 15,000 feet above sea-level (Discover Just How High Eagles Can Soar, a-z-animals.com).  They can nest in high places.

The text also mentions this birds great eye-sight for spotting prey (Job 39:29).  “A bald eagle can spot prey the size of a rabbit three miles away” (Nine Bald Eagle Facts That May Surprise You!, eaglewingtours.com).  God designed this. 

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My Shepherd

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)

The shepherd and his sheep is an image which is often used of God and his people (e.g. Genesis 48:15 cf. 49:24; Psalm 23; 28:9; 74:1; 77:20; 78:52-55; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:1-3; Isaiah 40:10-11; 53:6-7; Jeremiah 23:1-3; Ezekiel 34; Micah 5:4; 7:14; Zechariah 9:16; Matthew 7:15; 9:36; 10:16; 18:12-14; 25:32-34; Mark 6:34; Luke 15:4-7; John 10:1-6, 7-17; 25-29; 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4 Revelation 7:17).  There is good reason for this metaphor (a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison without using “like” or “as”).  Sheep need attention and much care.  They need such things as food, water, guidance, protection, and shelter.  The LORD (Jehovah) provides for the needs of his people.

1.  Food/Security/Rest

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2).  The shepherd provided or led the sheep to green pastures.  The original word (deshe) refers to not merely green but fresh shoots or tender grass.  The sheep is satisfied to the point that it lies down.  Sheep do not ordinarily lie down when hungry or afraid.  “They lie down when full and unafraid” (Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Studies in Psalms, p. 47).    God provides the food we need. He provides for our physical needs (Acts 14:17).  More importantly, he provides for our spiritual needs (Deuteronomy 8:3 cf. Matthew 4:4; John 6:32-35).                       

God provides spiritual protection.  Jesus tells us that no one is able to snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28-29).  No external force can separate us from the love of God against our will (Romans 8:37-39).  However, we are to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21).

He provides rest. There is spiritual rest provided from the burden of sin (Matthew 11:28-30). In him there is found rest (Psalm 127:1-2; Proverbs 3:21-24). Moreover, there is a rest to come (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; Hebrews 4:9-11; Revelation 14:13).

2.  Water

“He leads me besides the still waters” (Psalm 23:2b).  Fast moving water is a danger to sheep.  Hugo McCord writes, “When the time comes for a drink, the shepherd has seen to it that still water is available.  If necessary he will dam a stream, making a quiet pool for the sheep’s drinking.  He knows that sheep will not drink gurgling water.  Perhaps instinctively the sheep knows that in swift water his wool will make him heavy and that he will be easily drown” (Tract: Psalm Twenty-Three by Hugo McCord).

God provides the water we need.  He provides for our physical needs (Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17).  More importantly, he provides for our spiritual needs (Matthew 5:6; John 4:9-13; 7:37-39). 

3.  Restoration

“He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3).  (1) This may refer to what has already been mentioned.  The sheep is restored or revitalized by the provision of food and water. (2) Others think that this refers to rescuing or bringing back lost sheep (Luke 15:1-4). The original word translated “restores”(shuwb) means “turn back, return” (BDBG).

God provides for us.  He does so for our physical needs.  He also does so for our spiritual needs. (1) He provides inward strength and renewal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). (2) It is also true that God has made possible a return to him (Acts 11:19; 1 Peter 2:25). God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn, but to save (John 3:17). Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

4.  Guidance.

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3b).  He guides the sheep in the right way.  He does so for his name’s sake.  What does this mean?  (1) This may mean that he does so because of who he is.  It is his nature to lead in the right way. (2) Others take this to mean that he does so because we are his sheep (cf. Isaiah 43:1-7).  He cares for us.

God provides us with spiritual guidance.  He guides us by his word (Psalm 73:24; 119:105; 119:133; 119:172; Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 1:16-17).  He also has given us the example of Jesus (John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:1-8; Hebrews 12:1-4; 1 Peter 2:21-23).

5.  Protection/Comfort   

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:4-5).  (1)   Some believe that the valley of the shadow of death was an actual narrow passage through which sheep were sometimes moved for grazing (Hugo McCord).  It was a difficult journey.  There were dangers in terrain.  There were dangers from predators.  However, the shepherd’s presence, his rod and his staff, provided comfort.  (2) The prepared table may refer to the pastureland which he made ready for the sheep on the other side of the valley pass.  There are enemies.  However, the shepherd provided protection. 

God provides spiritual protection. Jesus tells us that no one is able to snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28-29). No external force can separate us from the love of God against our will (Romans 8:37-39). However, we are to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21).

There will be trails and difficult times in life. However, there is comfort in knowing that our shepherd is with us. Consider these words on the valley of the shadow of death:  “While the most obvious allusion is that of impending death or the threat of death, it is not restricted to death alone. Where would the valley of the shadow of death be? Anywhere the threat of death, of loneliness, of depression, temptation of sin is found.” (Steven M. Lloyd, Coping: A Biblical Approach, pp. 176-177). When we go through trials in this life, we can know that we are not alone. God is in control, and he loves us and cares for us.  “What a fellowship, what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms/ What a blessedness, what a peace is mine leaning on the everlasting arms/ What have I to dread? What have I to fear? leaning on the everlasting arms/ I have blessed peace with mt Lord so near leaning on the everlasting arm” (song: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by E.A. Hoffman 1887).            

6.  Shelter/Home

“You anoint my head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:5b-6).  Hugo McCord quotes a Basque shepherd, who says – “As the sheep come in for the night, they are lead to a gate.  The shepherd… examines for briars in the ears, snags in the cheek… Each sheep’s wounds are carefully cleansed.  Then the shepherd dips his hand into the olive oil and anoints the injury.”  Water is provided.  “The sheep will sink its nose into the water clean to the eyes, if fevered, and drink until fully refreshed” (McCord, Psalm Twenty-Three).  The sheep had a home, a sheepfold.  He provided shelter and care.

God provided such a place for us.  Abraham waited for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10,16).  Jesus went to “prepare a place” for us (John 14:1-3).  We have an eternal home (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 1:3-4).  He richly provides us with a glorious existence (Romans 8:18; 2 Peter 1:10-11). 

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Cinco de Mayo

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

On May 5, there will be a celebration.  Some cities have parades.  Mexican culture is celebrated.  Restaurants and bars have specials.

What is it all about?  Some have no idea.  It is just an excuse for a party.  Others mistakenly believe that it is Mexican Independence Day.  It is not.  That day is Dieciseis de Septiembre.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s defeat of a much larger French army at the Battle of Puebla.  Mexico had defaulted on debts owed to European governments.  The French, British and Spanish governments sent troops to Veracruz demanding payment.  The British and Spanish negotiated with Mexico and withdrew their troops.  The French did not.  The Battle of Puebla occurred on May 5, 1862.  About 2,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a force of about 6,000 French.  News of the victory spread to California, where is began to be annually celebrated in Columbia, California.  In time, the French would take control of the country and maintain that control for three years.  However, Cinco de Mayo became a day of Mexican pride for some (See: Holiday of Cinco de Mayo is Minor Event in Mexico by Oscar Casares, Houston Chronicle, May 5, 2010, Chron.com; Cinco de Mayo, history.com). 

Application: It is possible for people to do things without knowing what is meant.  The Israelites were told, “When your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households’” (Exodus 12:26-27).  God did not simply want them to keep the Passover; He wanted them to keep it knowing what it meant. 

It is not enough to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  We are to do so “in remembrance” of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), “discerning” his body (1 Corinthians 11:29). 

It is not enough to be baptized.  It is to be done for the correct reason.  “They were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38 cf. 3:19).

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A Lion is Outside

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

“The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!  I shall be slain in the streets!” (Proverbs 22:13).

“The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion in the road!  A fierce lion in the streets!’  As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed.” (Proverbs 26:13-14). 

If there were an actual lion in the road, that might be a valid reason to stay inside and not venture out of one’s house at that moment.  One might wait until the lion goes away. 

In 2009, while I was living in Alaska, a large moose decided to lie down in my driveway next to my jeep’s door.  I was not going to approach the jeep until the moose moved.  I believed that I started banging pots and pans.  It eventually moved and went elsewhere.  In 2021, a nine-month-old, 175-pound tiger named India was on the loose for nearly a week in a Houston neighborhood (Tiger on Loose in Houston for Nearly a Week Moved to Animal Sanctuary by Julia Jacobo, May 16, 2021, abcnews.go.com).  In 2024, a tiger was on the loose on the Mexico – Texas border after escaping from the Quinta La Fauna Zoo in Reynosa, Mexico, just south of Hidalgo, Texas.  It was captured after nearly a week (Escaped Tiger That Had Texas Communities on Edge Finally Caught by Ariana Garcia, Sept. 10, 2024, chron.com).  In these situations, there is good reason to be very cautious.

However, the words in Proverbs are a lazy man’s excuse for inactivity.  It is as if he is saying, “I cannot go to work.  It is dangerous out there.  I could be killed by a lion” (cf. Proverbs 22:13).

Those who don’t want to do a thing will often come up with excuses that make little or no sense.  Zig Ziglar told the story of a man who did not want to lend his neighbor his lawnmower.  He told him that he couldn’t because all the flights from New York to Los Angeles had been cancelled.  The neighbor wanted to know what that had to do with his borrowing the lawnmower.  The man replied, “Nothing … but if I don’t want to loan you my lawnmower, one excuse is as good as another” (From the book, Something Else to Smile About by Zig Ziglar). What one says and the real reason are sometimes very different things.

Let’s not make excuses.  Let us do the things that we should do.  Many people make excuses for not accepting the Lord’s invitation (cf. Luke 14:15-24).  May we not be guilty. 

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Foxes, Birds, and Jesus

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

“There a certain scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever You go.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:19-20; Luke 9:57-58).   

Animals generally have some place that they regard as home.  (1) Foxes have their homes.  They have holes, burrows, earths, or dens.  One source describes these underground homes, in these words – “Foxes sometimes take up residence underground in excavations called earths or dens – these terms are used interchangeably, although earth tends to be a British term, while den is more commonly used in American and European literature.  In some early, particularly hunting, literature an earth is occasionally referred to as a ‘kennel’ or ‘lair.’  At its most simplistic, an earth is a hole dug into the ground, with a hollowed-out chamber at the end of the entrance tunnel where the fox sleeps and in which cubs are raised.  The chambers are typically between one and three metres (3-10 feet) below ground, with tunnels generally leading to more than one entrance (a main entrance and emergency exit); in his Walker’s Carnivores of the World, Ronald Nowak gives the largest number of entrances for a single earth as 19.  The entrance tunnel is typically between 5 and 7 metres (16-23 feet), although they may reach up to 17 m. long (56 feet)…  In a survey of fox earths and various habitats around Saarbrucken in western Germany, Darius Weber found that foxes dug 44% of earths themselves, with the rest either being the work of other animals, or situated in bunkers, caves or craters.  In this study, foxes frequently used rabbit burrows or badger setts; the use of the latter by foxes has been well documented in Britain and Europe” (Red Fox Dens / Earths & Resting Sites, wildlifeonline.me.uk).  Foxes also live in hollows of trees, caves, under sheds, and beneath wooden decks.  (2) Birds also have their homes. (a) Some are large.  Eagles make huge nests and sometimes use these nests for many years. “The largest Bald Eagle nest on record was near St. Petersburg, Florida.  It measured over nine feet wide, 20 feet deep, and weighed over 4, 400 pounds!  Another in Ohio was used by a pair for 34 years and weighed over two tons.  Their nests are huge because eagle pairs reuse the same nest for decades, adding new material every breeding season” (Birds That Build the Largest Nests (The Bald Eagle Tops the List!), a-zanimals.com).  The Orange-Footed Scrub Fowl, is a ground dwelling bird which is native to Australia.  It is an amazing builder.  Its nest which is built on the ground can reach 15 feet high and 30 feet in diameter (ibid). (b) Some are small. Guessess World Records says, “The smallest nests are built by hummingbirds. That of the vervain hummingbird (Mellisuga minima) is about half the size of a walnut shell, while the deeper but narrower one of the bee hummingbird (M. helenae) is thimble-sized (Smallest bird nest, guinnessworldrecords.com). (c) Some are used for many years. The Cliff Swallows of San Juan Capistrano, California are famous.  Each March millions of these Swallows return to the same site in California from their winter home in Goya, Argentina.  That site is Mission San Juan Capistrano.  They stay until October and then leave again for Argentina.  The dates are very predictable.  The arrive on or about March 19.  They depart on or about October 23.  They have been doing this since the early 1800’s.  This was disrupted for a while in recent years.  A restoration of the mission occurred in the 1990’s.  The mud nests that were used year after year were removed.  The birds returned to town but built elsewhere.  An effort was made to lure them back by building man made nests.  It successfully worked (see The Swallows of Capistrano, March 19, 2017, birdnotes.org; Also, Why the Swallows Stopped Returning to San Juan Capistrano and how People Brought Them Back by Kurt Snibbe, November 21, 2018, ocregister.com).

Jesus had no home of his own.  He and his disciples stayed in the homes of others (e.g. Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-12; 19:5).  He was constantly on the move. Many preachers today also live without a long-term place on earth that they can call home.

This scribe needed to understand what it would mean to follow Jesus.  He needed to count the cost (Luke 14:28). 

Are we willing to pay the cost that is involved in following Jesus?  He must be first.  We must be willing to give up anything which stands in the way of following him.  He said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple… Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:25-33).            

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Don’t Muzzle An Ox

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4 cf. 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18).

This may concern a rented or borrowed animal.  Consider these words, “There are two basic options for the identity of the man to whom this command is directed: he is either (1) the owner of the ox, or (2) the someone borrowing or renting the ox… If the command is directly to the owner of the ox… it is difficult to understand why the stipulation is required in the first place.  Oxen were viewed as property, and there was a built-in motivation for maintaining one’s property to perform at a maximum level.  It is difficult to see why the command would make it into mosaic law given the self-interest that would already ensure such action… This leaves us with the situation of a man borrowing or renting an ox to thresh his own grain.  In that event, his self-interest would entail preserving as much of his threshed grain as possible; on the other hand, he would have no intrinsic motivation to let the ox eat of his grain.  If the animal ended up in a weakened state or unhealthy as a result, the situation does not result in any economic loss of his end” (Justin Taylor, Do Not Muzzle the Ox: Does Paul Quote Moses out of Context?, August 28, 2012, thegospelcoalition.org).  Furthermore, consider the context.  All other laws in context concern humans.  “Deuteronomy 25:4 in context is not fundamentally a law about how to treat animals humanely but rather a law about how to properly treat the property you are borrowing or renting from someone” (ibid).  This makes sense.  However, there are those who do mistreat even their own animals (Proverbs 12:10).

Paul quotes this verse twice: (1) In 1 Corinthians 9:9, he uses this passage to argue that preachers have the right to financial support.  He says, “If we have sown spiritual things for you, it is a great thing if we reap your material things?” (1 Corinthians 9:11).  (2) In 1 Timothy 5:18, he uses this passage to argue that elders have the right to financial support.  He not only quotes Deuteronomy 25:4, but also, quotes Luke 10:7 which says, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”  It is worth pointing out that he refers to both passages as “The Scripture.” 

We should treat others fairly (cf. Matthew 7:12).  “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18). 

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Earth Day

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

The father of Earth Day was Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.  He was deeply concerned over the Cuyahoga River in Ohio catching fire (June, 1969) and the Santa Barbara, California oil spill (January. 1969).  Nelson recruited Denis Hayes (commonly dubbed “Mr. Earth Day”) to organize “teach-ins” on college campuses in order to raise awareness of environmental issues.  The first Earth Day occurred on April 22, 1970 (coincidentally, this was the 100th birthday of Vladimir Lenin.  Earth Day supporters deny any connection).  “Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans – at the time 10% of the total population of the United States – to take to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which lad left a growing legacy  of serious human health impacts…” (Our History, earthday.org).  “In 1990, Hayes organized a global Earth Day, with more than 200 million participants in more than 140 countries” (Earth Day, education.nationalgeographic.org).

What should Christians think of Earth Day?  Here are a few thoughts: (1) There is nothing wrong with wanting to protect the environment.  We should be good stewards of what God has given to us (Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 20:19-20; Proverbs 12:10; John 6:19-20). 

(2) We should not worship the Earth and creation (Romans 1:25).  In pantheism, there is no distinction between the Creator and the creation.  In panentheism, there is a distinction but not a sharp one.  In Judaism and Christianity there is a sharp distinction (Genesis 1:1; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Psalm 100:3; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:1-2; Acts 17:24-25, 30-31; Romans 1:25, etc.).  God, not creation, should be worshiped.

(3) We should remember that while it is a good thing to care for this earth, this earth will not last.  We look for “a new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:10-13).  This earth is not our ultimate home.

(4) There are things which are even more important than protection of the planet.  (a) Man is here to seek the Lord and find Him (Acts 17:26-27).  If a man does not do this, no matter what else that he accomplishes, he has missed the point of life.  (b) We should live for eternity (2 Peter 1:5-11; Mark 8:36-37).  (c) We should seek to save others (Romans 1:14-16; Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 2:9-10).  (d) We should seek to bring glory on Earth to God (1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31).  Let us not neglect these things.

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