THE CURIOUS BELIEVERS

  Wisdom is often understood as “applied knowledge.” Sometimes, it is contrasted with knowledge itself: for some, intelligence is measured by how much a person knows, while wisdom is seen in practical decisions and actions. Most people—even believers—value wisdom more than knowledge, even though the two words are nearly synonymous in dictionaries. But the real question is: How does the Bible define wisdom? How was it understood in the ancient world? And how should we understand it today whenever we encounter it in Scripture? Let’s take a closer look. WISDOM IN THE ANCIENT WORLD Writings from the ancient Near East—as well as the Old Testament—show that wisdom carried a very similar meaning across different cultures. Wisdom literature often contained instructions on proper conduct, speech, and behavior. In the Old Testament, wisdom appeared in many different areas: Skilled craftsmen were considered wise (Exod. 31:6; 35:10; 1 Chron. 22:15). Those who could govern or lead were seen as...

  If you love reading the Old Testament, most likely you have already encountered Baal. The Israelites often rebelled against Yahweh and chose to worship this pagan god instead. In many passages, Baal is treated as Yahweh’s rival for Israel’s devotion. But wait, who really is Baal? BAAL AND THE ANCIENT MYTHS “Baal” is a common Semitic term for “lord” or “owner.” Many references to him exist in ancient literature, proving that Baal was a well-known god during that time. Myths from the Mediterranean world tell us that he is the god of weather and fertility. He was described as a sovereign king, judge, and protector of the land. He had power over clouds, storms, and lightning and revealed himself with the voice of thunder. Baal was believed to be the one who sent rain, dew, and snow. People thought that his rule secured the seasons. According to a religious text called the Baal Cycle , after sending winter rains and spring vegetation, he would die and descend into the underworld durin...

In the present time, magic is often related to illusion or entertainment. It is also separated from religion and science in practice today. But in ancient times, this was not the case. Magic “involved tapping into external sources of power or knowledge.” (Walton and Keener, 2016). In the ancient Near East, magic was connected with religion. Magic was also part of medicine in those days. Magical formulas were often used to prevent or cure illnesses. 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪 In the OT, particularly in Deuteronomy 18:9–13, even though the word “magic” itself is not mentioned, there is a complete ban on magical activities such as child sacrifice in rituals, divination, sorcery, witchcraft, consulting spiritists/mediums, necromancy, and others. Though these practices were common among the pagan people in Canaan, the Lord was not pleased with them. This was one of the reasons why God drove out the original inhabitants of the Promised Land (vv. 9, 12). The death penalty for witchcraft ...

  No, this isn’t Marcionism —the idea that the God of the NT and the God of the OT are two different beings. Nor is it polytheism , which claims that there is more than one God. Today, let’s explore a less popular view that appears to be biblically supported (and interesting!). So before you judge this article just by its title, grab a cup of coffee and let’s begin, because this is going to be a long one. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD In many OT stories, we encounter a very special figure who acts and speaks as if He is the Lord/Yahweh Himself. This being is known as “The Angel of the Lord” or malak YHWH . The word malak , usually translated “angel,” literally means “messenger.” But when we examine the texts, we can see that He is not just another spiritual being on the same level as angels. In other words, He is not just an angel, but the Angel. He is the Messenger of Yahweh, appearing as a man (note: not a winged being), regarded as God Himself yet also distinct from God. In other word...

  Maybe the only time we’re familiar with fasting today is when you need to undergo a medical test the next day, or when you cut back on food to achieve your long-time goal of dieting. Many Christians see fasting as an old tradition that feels irrelevant to modern believers. Perhaps it’s also because this topic is rarely discussed in churches anymore, which makes it seem “strange” to us now. So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about fasting. 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 In the Bible, fasting means abstaining from food or drink for a certain period of time. Sometimes, instead of using the single word fast , the biblical writers used the phrase afflict the soul to describe fasting (Lev 16:29–31; Num 30:13; Isa 58:3; etc.). Modern translations like NIV and ESV often render it as deny oneself or humble oneself to give us a clearer picture of what fasting signifies. In essence, fasting is a way of denying our cravings or needs for a time—an act of humility. Back t...

  Samson. Samuel. Gideon. Deborah. Jephthah. These remarkable biblical characters had one thing in common: they were all judges . Judges were a significant part of Israelite history—so important that the Bible dedicates an entire book just to tell their stories. But who exactly were these judges, and what roles did they play in the Bible? 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗦 Judges as Tribe Leaders The head of the family was considered the judge of his own household. As the family grew, the authority of the head also expanded. Judges acted as leaders of their own tribes or clans. During the leadership of Moses, judges were appointed to handle judicial matters within their own group (Ex. 18:19–26; Deut. 1:16). When Moses and Joshua were no longer around as national leaders and the Israelites were already in the Promised Land, leadership fell to the elders of each community (Judg. 2:17) and the judges. At the time of the judges, Israel was not yet united as a single nation. They l...

  There are stories in the Bible that are not easy to read. Some passages are so difficult that even respected scholars and theologians struggle to make sense of them. One of these is the story of the vow made by Jephthah (Judges 11:30–40).  This is about a judge who made a vow to God that if he were given victory in battle, he would offer as a sacrifice to the Lord whatever came out of his house to meet him upon his return (vv. 30–31). The good news is—he won the battle (vv. 32–33). The bad news is—it was his only daughter who came out to welcome him (vv. 34–35).  Did he really sacrifice his own daughter to the Lord?  Did God approve of what he did?  Today, let’s explore one of the most curious stories in the Bible.  A LIVING SACRIFICE? Before we talk about how exactly Jephthah’s daughter was offered, we need to first take note that he likely had a person in mind when he made the vow. It’s highly unlikely that a livestock animal, like a sheep, would come...

  How should the Bible be interpreted? Literally or figuratively? The answer is both. When the writing is literal, it should be interpreted literally. When it's figurative, then the meaning should also be taken figuratively. Our goal as readers is always to grasp what the writer originally intended to say. The process of interpretation can sometimes be challenging because the authors often use figures of speech that are unfamiliar to us as modern readers. If we can recognize what kind of figure of speech is being used, it becomes easier for us to understand the passages. Below are some of the commonly used figures of speech in the Bible: 1. SIMILE This involves a formal comparison because it uses "like" or "as." Usually, the images used for comparison are familiar objects in biblical settings. These are easy to recognize, as in the following examples: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (...