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Tag: Numbers

Mourning Rituals —

The ancient practice of bemoaning the human condition before God.

Mourning Rituals —

The ancient practice of bemoaning the human condition before God.

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The Bible is very consistent in its portrayal of ancient Israelite mourning. People grieving the loss of loved ones, tragedy in the community, offenses against God, devastating warfare, and the like are described as putting on sackcloth, tearing or rending their clothes, taking off shoes, sitting on dust and ashes,
Importance of Salt —

On the usefulness and harvesting of a precious ancient commodity.

Importance of Salt —

On the usefulness and harvesting of a precious ancient commodity.

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It is a commonly known truth in ancient Near Eastern studies that salt was an important staple of everyday life. Salt enhances the flavour of food increasing the enjoyment of the meal, and it had many other practical uses. Salt enabled the preservation of fish and other meats as well
Rest Assured. —

Why Christians must rest in Christ and not on Sabbath. Working out God's Edenic purpose of grace through Sabbatical soteriology.

Rest Assured. —

Why Christians must rest in Christ and not on Sabbath. Working out God's Edenic purpose of grace through Sabbatical soteriology.

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Must Christians observe Sabbath? To no one’s surprise is yet another very heated debate in the greater Christian community, particularly among Protestants and doctrinally dubious off-shoots. Throughout Christian history, Sunday was the newly appointed day of rest known as “the Lord’s Day”. As of the nineteenth century however, the technological
Against Formlessness and Our Vocation Toward Visible Holiness —

On sacred art, rituals, gestures, and visual patterns of devotion in God's holy kingdom.

Against Formlessness and Our Vocation Toward Visible Holiness —

On sacred art, rituals, gestures, and visual patterns of devotion in God's holy kingdom.

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Before meat suits were fashionable and Gnosticism was the new black, before Baptism was reduced to works righteousness and Communion was trivialized to a game of Simon Says, and long before our world was particles and plastic, the visible world augmented divine intentionality. The physical stuff we universally share and
Understanding Balaam, Part II —

Archaeological evidence for Balaam son of Beor at Dier ‘Alla

Understanding Balaam, Part II —

Archaeological evidence for Balaam son of Beor at Dier ‘Alla

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I wanted to take some time to continue looking at the pagan prophet and diviner Balaam. On a previous article we’ve investigated the meaning of his story as recorded in Numbers 22-24 and Numbers 31. How it seems as though God was giving Balaam a chance to change, a chance
Understanding Balaam, Part I —

What’s the point of the donkey speaking to Balaam? Why would Balak send for Balaam in the first place? Plus more.

Understanding Balaam, Part I —

What’s the point of the donkey speaking to Balaam? Why would Balak send for Balaam in the first place? Plus more.

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The main account of Balaam in the Bible is recorded in Numbers 22-24, then his alternate curse-Israel plan, and his death are recorded in Numbers 31 during Israel’s war with Midian. Throughout the Bible, Balaam’s life and death are used as an example of God’s faithfulness to Israel and as
Anger Management —

Is God “slow to anger” or is His “wrath quickly kindled”? Comparing Exodus 34:6 and Numbers 14:18 to Psalm 2:12.

Anger Management —

Is God “slow to anger” or is His “wrath quickly kindled”? Comparing Exodus 34:6 and Numbers 14:18 to Psalm 2:12.

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Although the Bible consistently portrays God as “longsuffering” and “slow to anger” it seems that Psalm 2:12 brings this into serious question as it says that the wrath of God is “quickly kindled.” As the English Standard Version puts it, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish