Reformed Baptist Congregation Exaltation | Edification | Evangelism
Gresham Machen says in his “The New Testament – An Introduction to its Literature and History” that “it is the lack of study which has made the Bible for some people a dull book.”
(The New Testament – An Introduction to its Literature and History, Banner of Truth, p. 9)
The book of Deuteronomy written by Moses is one of those books that are often neglected by Christians for a number of reasons. There is constant repetition of important truths and there is the length of the book – it requires hard work to read, understand and digest, but the benefits are worth it. In our English Bibles we refer to this book as “Deuteronomy” because of a mistranslation of Deut. 17:18 where that verse speaks of the future king of Israel sitting on this throne over his kingdom, writing for himself in a book “a copy of this law”. This is often referred to as “second law”,hence the name Deuteronomy. The Hebrew title begins with the opening words of the book in Deut. 1:1 – “these are the words.”
The book of Deuteronomy generally follows the structural pattern of an ancient vassal treaty, but this should not be pushed too far. It is preferable to see the book as the last words of Moses to the nation prior to their preparations to enter the land under Joshua. Ancient kings often entered into treaties or pacts with vassal countries, and those treaties contained a certain structure. There was an introduction, a historical overview (the king’s dealings with the vassal), a general call to allegiance, a specific call to allegiance, the witnessing of the treaty by divine gods, blessings and cursings for obedience or disobedience. [Read more…]
Jehoshaphat (ca. 873 – 848 B.C.) of Judah was one of the few good kings in the Old Testament, but he made mistakes. He decided to go into the shipbuilding business. He probably sought to emulate the great fleet of King Solomon, but the results were not good. In fact, all of his ships were destroyed at Ezion-geber situated in Edomite territory. The reason his ships were destroyed was because he entered into a partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel. This was probably also due to some marriage alliance. Ahaziah was the son of wicked Ahab, and as such was no better than his father. In addition, Jehoshaphat had given his son in marriage to Ahab’s daughter named Athaliah. She nearly destroyed the Davidic line due to her wickedness (2 Chron. 22:10). Jehoshaphat’s problem apart from his excellent strengths and spiritual life was that he tended to make alliances with wicked partners. It was these alliances that caused him so much trouble. [Read more…]
The first three chapters of Genesis are absolutely foundational to the Christian faith. But for the past 160 years or so they have been under increasing attack and denial. These chapters are so critical and important that every Christian should make a serious study of them in order to be fully convinced in his or her mind. But convinced of what is the question. Convinced of the truth. Genesis 1 posits the belief that God made all things—everything that exists came from God. The entire universe was made by God. All animals, all plant life, and all humanity find their origin in God as their Creator and Sustainer. On Day 6, God created man (Gen. 1:26–29). He is called Adam. God also created Eve and gave her to Adam; she became his wife (Gen 2:23–25). Adam was given dominion over all animal and plant life (1:29, 30; 2:19, 20). He was to work the garden in which he was placed and was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death (2:15, 16). When God had completed his creation he exclaimed that it was very good (1:31). These are the bare facts of the Genesis record (1:1–2:25). [Read more…]
I like how Calvin puts it: “When we present our merits to God – we ask for his judgment upon us & not his mercy & therefore, we are condemned.” (Inst. 3. 20. 45)