Commentary on Genesis 37 (Joseph Sold into Slavery)

Post Author: Bill Pratt  Background As Jacob grew into adulthood, God re-confirmed to Jacob the covenant promises made to Abraham and then Isaac. Jacob married two sisters, Leah and Rachel.  He had originally intended to only marry Rachel, but was tricked into marrying Leah by their father. Jacob also took on their maidservants, Bilhah and … Continue reading Commentary on Genesis 37 (Joseph Sold into Slavery)

Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 4

Post Author: Bill Pratt In part 3 of this series, we started to compare New World slavery to Old Testament (OT) slavery and we found that there were radical differences.  Let’s continue with the comparison. The third characteristic of New World slavery has to do with the treatment of slaves.  From part 2 of the … Continue reading Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 4

Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 3

Post Author: Bill Pratt In part 2 of this series, we reviewed 5 characteristics of New World slavery.  Starting in part 3, we will compare the 5 characteristics of New World slavery with Hebrew slavery in the Law (first five books of the Old Testament). Before we get started, a couple of general comments need … Continue reading Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 3

Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 2

Post Author: Bill Pratt In part 1 of this series of posts, we introduced the idea that there are many different kinds of slavery.  When most Americans ponder slavery, though, we are thinking of the southern United States before the Civil War.  So what was slavery like in the southern United States?  The Christian Thinktank … Continue reading Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 2

Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 1

Post Author: Bill Pratt Someone recently asked me about slavery in the Bible, and I decided it was time to take this topic on.  In order to stay focused, I want to answer a very specific question: does God support the institution of slavery in the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament)? The … Continue reading Does God Condone Slavery in the Old Testament? Part 1

Commentary on Acts 14 (The Lystrans Worship Paul and Barnabas)

In about AD 45, Paul and Barnabas set out from Syrian Antioch to evangelize Gentiles in Asia Minor. Chapter 14 starts with their entrance into the city of Iconium (see map below). Iconium is a major Roman city inhabited mostly by Gentiles with a small number of Jews. Clinton Arnold, in [amazon_textlink asin=’B004MPROQC’ text=’John, Acts: … Continue reading Commentary on Acts 14 (The Lystrans Worship Paul and Barnabas)

Commentary on John 8 (Jesus Declares Himself Equal to God)

Jesus has returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). While he is there, he is teaching in the temple complex. A large group of Pharisees are questioning him about his identity. Some appear to even accept what he has to say about himself. Starting in verse 31, however, he speaks directly … Continue reading Commentary on John 8 (Jesus Declares Himself Equal to God)

Why Is God So Concerned with Idol Worship?

The Second Commandment, as given in Exodus 20:4-6, forbids the worship of idols. The northern kingdom of Israel, starting with the reign of Jeroboam, ignores this commandment and after 200 years of existence is finally judged by God in the form of a devastating Assyrian invasion. The author of 1 and 2 Kings writes that … Continue reading Why Is God So Concerned with Idol Worship?

Should We Execute Non-Christians?

During King Asa’s reformation in Judah, he convenes a covenant ceremony during the Feast of Pentecost where all of Judah is called to seek after the God of Israel, the one true God who rescued them from Egyptian slavery centuries before. During this ceremony, they are also reminded that “all who would not seek the … Continue reading Should We Execute Non-Christians?

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28-29 (Death of David)

1 and 2 Chronicles were originally a single work that was separated into two books when it was translated into the Greek Septuagint. The Chronicles was written to the Jewish people after they returned from Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC.  Jewish tradition holds that Ezra was the author of Chronicles, but scholars are … Continue reading Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28-29 (Death of David)