Results 181 - 200 of 802
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Wild Olive Shoot Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
181 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214919 | ||
You tell me. You made the statement: “The bible says where there is no law there is no sin. Just based on that Even if Abraham had Killed his son as you have stated. That act would not have been sin, based on the grounds that there was not at that time, any law about killing, murder, etc.” You were then asked: “What do you make of God's punishment of Cain then?” Your answer was that you didn’t want to speculate. But if murder wasn’t a sin as you say and God punished Cain for murdering his brother, then your logic leads me to believe God is an unjust God which you and I both know isn’t true. And if there was no sin, how could it be couching at the door? Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." So you tell me just who is misrepresenting? If you plan on responding to this post, please answer why God punished Cain if murder was not sin. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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182 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214920 | ||
The Test: Genesis 22:1,2: 1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Abraham seemed to have the answer. Genesis 22:7,8: 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. And then to top it off, God explained the test and you know what, proved that Abraham’s answer was right: Genesis 22:12,13: 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. The answers are there if you care to see them my friend. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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183 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214923 | ||
Vintage, Step it backwards: Death reigned from Adam to Moses. Romans 5:14 Sin is in the world but not counted where there is no law. Romans 5:13 There was death because there was sin. Romans 5:12 We also know that the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 So, If there was no law, there was no sin, so there should be no death. Since there was Law, there was sin thus there was death. “His inference hence is, Therefore there was a law; for sin is not imputed where there is no law.” – Matthew Henry Stand in His grace, WOS |
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184 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214924 | ||
You are changing what God tells us took place. He didn't tempt Abraham, He tested him. Until you quit switching the words, you won't understand. It is an example to us of what real faith is. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:17-19: 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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185 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214926 | ||
He didn't test him to kill his son. He tested his faith. The condition of the sacrifice was to test his faith. Abraham knew God would provide. I can't break it down any more simple than that. Sorry. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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186 | Why did God tell Abraham to kill his son | Gen 22:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 214934 | ||
We have the record of this test for our benefit. God has no reason to do it again and I'm assuring you He is not. Take the advice given and get your friend help immediately! Stand in His grace, WOS |
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187 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 154914 | ||
iktoose, The simple answer: It was God's will for Jacob to have the blessing. "But this was an extraordinary blessing; and Providence so ordered it that Isaac should bestow it upon Jacob ignorantly and by mistake, that it might appear he was beholden to God for it, and not to Isaac... Isaac, when first made sensible of the imposition that had been practised on him, trembled exceedingly, Gen_27:33. Those that follow the choice of their own affections, rather than the dictates of the divine will, involve themselves in such perplexities as these. But he soon recovers himself, and ratifies the blessing he had given to Jacob: I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed; he might, upon very plausible grounds, have recalled it, but now, at last, he is sensible that he was in an error when he designed it for Esau. Either himself recollecting the divine oracle, or rather having found himself more than ordinarily filled with the Holy Ghost when he gave the blessing to Jacob, he perceived that God did, as it were, say Amen to it." -- Matthew Henry The divine oracle referenced: Genesis 25 22But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." 24When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. WOS |
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188 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155221 | ||
iktoose, The correspondence you and mark shared seems to have answered the questions and my thoughts would agree. It’s not really a matter of condoning things contrary to God’s will for reason of a better outcome, or breaking laws for good reasons. To me, it is a matter of relying on the sovereignty of God and the fact that what he desires to happen does in fact happen. I would never agree that it is acceptable to break laws and to be deceitful and un-Christ like because we see a better result or a quicker result than letting God work it His way. We should never condone inappropriate behavior or unethical practices but inevitably, they’ll happen, we will sin. Isn’t it great, knowing that God can take our wicked ways and use them for His benefit if He desires to do so? Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Like Mark stated, and to which you readily agreed, Jacob would have still received the blessing even without Rebekah’s involvement, one way or another. One thing to which Scripture doesn’t elaborate on is Isaac’s deeper thoughts during all of this. As Matthew Henry pointed out, it is conceivable that Isaac remembered the divine oracle and came to his senses. And since the Scriptures don’t point out, it is also conceivable that Isaac wasn’t aware of it. I find the latter hard to believe however. (Just my own personal opinion.) What is quite evident from the Scripture though, is that Isaac favored Esau. In His favoritism it is possible that he was blind to the will of God for a time. As pointed out elsewhere in Scripture, favoritism is not a desirable characteristic and can be harmful. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Isaac’s favoritism of Esau could have very well clouded his judgment and then he simply came to his senses and realized what had happened was God’s will, therefore, Jacob kept his blessing. Maybe I shouldn’t speculate, but I see a variety of life lessons learned from this particular incident with the heart of it being God’s sovereignty. WOS |
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189 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155292 | ||
Hi iktoose, I’m probably not the best person to get real in depth on this one. There are many more knowledgeable than I on the forum that can address and probably explain in more clear terms, but I’ll give it a try. I’m always willing to give my point of view when asked. First of all, Isaac didn’t state that he had no more blessings. Genesis 27:39,40 records the blessing that Isaac did in fact place unto Esau. But just prior to that in v37, Isaac told Esau what he had blessed Jacob with and posed the question to Esau, “and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?” Jacob had the blessing and regardless whether or not Isaac wanted to revoke it, it was still his word, and that stands for something and Jacob was given authority to rule, so Esau would have no other choice but to serve. My study Bible points out that someone’s word, especially when it was with a formal oath was binding, much like a written contract is today, thus another reason Isaac’s blessing was irrevocable. This wasn’t necessarily a blessing from God, as I understand it. It was the ceremony of blessing that officially handed over the birthright to the rightful heir that would include spiritual blessings. Realize also that Jacob had been given the birthright years before by Esau when he sold it to him (which was apparently done at times), but that showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way had he not relinquished it to satisfy his immediate desire without considering the consequences. Matthew Henry continued in the commentary I submitted previously with this: “That those who undervalue their spiritual birthright, and can afford to sell it for a morsel of meat, forfeit spiritual blessings, and it is just with God to deny them those favours they were careless of. Those that will part with their wisdom and grace, with their faith and a good conscience, for the honours, wealth, or pleasures, of this world, however they may pretend a zeal for the blessing, have already judged themselves unworthy of it, and so shall their doom be.” But Isaac did in fact bless Esau. He didn’t necessarily curse him. He would still have a competent livelihood. He’ll live by his sword shows that he would serve but he would not starve. He would serve but would break the yoke from off his neck, and he would eventually be free of bondage. Esau prospered for a time. The commentary I’ve referred to can be viewed at the following. It was very helpful to me in understanding what is being stated. http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/mhc-com/ My thoughts as a parent: Well we’re walking on dangerous ground now, asking for my own personal thoughts. Being a father of two with another on the way, I hope and pray that I am fair an equal with all of my children, that I don’t favor one over the other. The truth however, I’m probably not all of the time. Not that I love one more than another, but depending on the circumstances I tend to favor one over another to enjoy a particular activity based on their enjoyment as well. I don’t necessarily get everyone involved and sometimes, one child may feel left out. I try to ration my time and efforts equally so as not to discourage either of them, and this will be even more intense with the arrival of our third. Truth be told, I probably don’t spend enough time with them as time seems to be such a rare commodity these days. I’ll strive to better myself in that area. So I hope I’m not in the position Isaac was as a father in which he apparently displayed his favoritism so greatly. That should be avoided. But as a parent who loves his child and is witness to a tremendous disappointment such as Esau displayed, I simply hope I have the faith and love to comfort them in any way I can. What I give to one, I would hope to be able to give to the others equally and just as fulfilling. However, in some cases, just as with Isaac and Esau, we see that it just isn’t possible all of the time. I hope to teach my children to make the best of what they have and what they are given and to understand that not all their desires will be fulfilled for one reason or another and they will have to adjust accordingly. What would I have done in Isaac’s case? Hopefully I would have called on God for the answer and had faith that it was the right answer. WOS |
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190 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155459 | ||
I don't see where Isaac did any such thing. But the results of the act itself can be identified: Did Jacob and Rebekah ever see each other again after Jacob was sent to Laban? Genesis 35:27-29 states that Jacob returned into Isaac but doesn't mention Rebekah. That seems pretty intense in light of the evident love they had toward one another. Jacob also went without seeing his brother and father again for many years. Punishment for the act seems to have rightly come from God rather than Isaac. Just an observation. I stated that hopefully I would have called on God for direction in handling the situation if it were me, but I can probably honestly admit; had my wife and son deceived me in a similar manner, I’m sure I would have wanted to make their time with me miserable, at least for a while. Not that I condone such action, but in honesty, I’m sure I would have been upset. That’s just me. WOS |
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191 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155468 | ||
Jehonadab, You stated: "Jacob did not maliciously misrepresent himself in order to get something that did not rightfully belong to him. The Bible does not condemn what Rebekah and Jacob did." They took matters into their hands not relying on God to work it His way. You can’t force God’s hand and nowhere in Scripture would that be supported. I saw a television show a while back in which they were asking for donations for help in moving all of the Jews from around the world back to Israel for the purpose of speeding Christ’s return. Essentially believing they could force God to play His cards early. Whatever The Almighty declares will in fact happen. There’s nothing we can do to prevent it, there’s nothing we can do to quicken it. God will act when He is ready. Rebekah and Jacob acted inappropriately using deceit and taking advantage of Isaac’s apparent disability. Hebrews 12:16 surely warns us how we are not to be, but that doesn’t speak at all to what Rebekah and Jacob did. There are clearly more lessons to be learned than just the one. However, I do agree with you that the “outcome” was exactly what God purposed. It always is, no matter how terribly we get it wrong, what God wills, will be done. Scripture doesn't condemn it? I'd look again at what everyone involved had to endure because of that incident and then ask again if we shouldn't get from scripture that acts like that are not approved. WOS |
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192 | What Bible says on marriage of relatives | Gen 28:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 154469 | ||
Sarah was Terah's daughter. But Terah was Abraham's father, not his brother. Genesis 11:26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Abraham and Sarah were siblings from the same father. Genesis 20:12 "Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife; WOS |
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193 | Is contraception a sin? | Gen 38:10 | Wild Olive Shoot | 189961 | ||
NIC1, No there isn't, that I know of. I agree with what is posted at the following site. It all comes down to motivation. http://www.gotquestions.org/birth-control.html Stand in His grace, WOS "Self-examination is the safest cure for one half the doubts and fears that vex God's people." - C. H. Spurgeon on 2 Corinthians 13:5 |
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194 | Why did Moses' send his wife to Midian | Ex 4:25 | Wild Olive Shoot | 210788 | ||
Keliy, You’re in good company with your thoughts on this. But it is speculation. Maybe to help in the future, you could emphasize that what you have posted is speculative. There is a reason the scripture is there, sometimes we just don’t know the answer in full because it is not revealed to us. But it does appear that a good and trusted commentator thought along the same lines as what you have posted. Make sure you see note 3 below. “The release of Moses thereupon: So he let him go; the distemper went off, the destroying angel withdrew, and all was well: only Zipporah cannot forget the fright she was in, but will unreasonably call Moses a bloody husband, because he obliged her to circumcise the child; and, upon this occasion (it is probable), he sent them back to his father-in-law, that they might not create him any further uneasiness. Note, (1.) When we return to God in a way of duty he will return to us in a way of mercy; take away the cause, and the effect will cease. (2.) We must resolve to bear it patiently, if our zeal for God and his institutions be misinterpreted and discouraged by some that should understand themselves, and us, and their duty, better, as David's zeal was misinterpreted by Michal; but if this be to be vile, if this be to be bloody, we must be yet more so. (3.) When we have any special service to do for God we should remove as far from us as we can that which is likely to be our hindrance. Let the dead bury their dead, but follow thou me.” – Matthew Henry Stand in His grace, WOS |
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195 | Why did Pharoah say "Tomorrow" | Ex 8:10 | Wild Olive Shoot | 169008 | ||
As I have read, more than likely because he had hoped the situation would resolve itself, that the frogs would go away on their own, thereby relieving himself of being obliged to God or Moses in any way. WOS |
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196 | Virgin Mary | Ex 20:4 | Wild Olive Shoot | 183017 | ||
Brian, That’s quite a stretch to say Mary was perfect when the Bible never states that. In fact, Mary, as the rest of us, was far from perfect and even she herself admitted to needing a savior. Luke 1: 46-48: 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. That to me seems far from perfection. Romans 3:23 – 25: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. She may have been a great disciple, but not a perfect one. If God’s Word does not declare something, we should use caution in making that declaration ourselves. Just my thoughts. Stand in HIS grace, WOS |
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197 | Virgin Mary | Ex 20:4 | Wild Olive Shoot | 183037 | ||
I don’t agree with your definition of blessed, and maybe even the others. Blessed is more along the line of being highly favored or fortunate. Not necessarily holy. “Call me blessed - Pronounce me highly favored or happy in being the mother of the Messiah. It is therefore right to consider her as highly favored or happy;” – Albert Barnes To be holy is to set apart by God or for God for some special use. Which I believe Mary was as were and are many. Does that imply others are perfect? Paul and Peter were both holy, but we know of their failures and even more, we know of God’s pardoning of those through Christ. Mary was no different. You “assume” much in stating so. Now we can be righteous, in the sense of being “upstanding”, but perfect righteousness is only obtained through Jesus Christ. From Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Justification: …”It proceeds on the imputing or crediting to the believer by God himself of the perfect righteousness, active and passive, of his Representative and Surety, Jesus Christ (Rom_10:3-9). Justification is not the forgiveness of a man without righteousness, but a declaration that he possesses a righteousness which perfectly and for ever satisfies the law, namely, Christ's righteousness (2Co_5:21; Rom_4:6-8). The sole condition on which this righteousness is imputed or credited to the believer is faith in or on the Lord Jesus Christ.” … So if as you say, Mary was perfect in righteousness, and that is imputed from Christ, then tell me friend, who isn’t? Read all of Romans Chapter 4 but at least take a quick glance at the below, paying close attention to verse 8. Romans 4:3-8: 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Stand in His grace, WOS |
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198 | Must Christians keep the Sabbath today? | Ex 20:8 | Wild Olive Shoot | 193327 | ||
I have to question: what in your words defined as "most" Christian churches / denominations hold services on Friday? And furthermore, why you feel Christ would not be present on any given day? Stand in His grace, WOS Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. |
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199 | Is it always a sin to lie? | Ex 20:16 | Wild Olive Shoot | 161959 | ||
Romans 8:28(NIV)And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Just because we would do it and expect others to do it, does not make it right in God’s eyes. How can God condone or reward something that He hates. Isn’t that going against His very nature? It wasn’t the midwives lies or actions that secured the “greater good” making it right. It was almighty God. WOS Question: "Is it ever right to lie?" Answer: It is never right to lie. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 6:16-18 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness that speaketh lies” as two of the seven abominations to the Lord. Love “rejoiceth in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). See also Psalm 119:29, 163; 120:2; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5; Ephesians 4:25; and Colossians 3:9. There are many examples of liars in Scripture, from Jacob’s deceit in Genesis 27 to the pretense of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Time after time, we see that falsehood leads to misery, loss, and judgment. Sometimes a question arises concerning lies that seem to have positive results. For example, the lie the Hebrew midwives tell Pharaoh seems to result in the Lord’s blessing (Exodus 1:15-21). However, it should be obvious that the Lord is blessing the midwives’ rescue of the children, rather than any falsehood they told. God in His mercy blessed them in spite of the lie, rather than because of it. Another example is Rahab’s lie in Joshua 2:5. God never condones her lie, but He does forgive it. Rahab’s life is spared in response to her faith, which she expresses in verses 9-11. God not only forgives Rahab’s lying, but also her idolatry and harlotry—another example of God’s mercy in action. Copyright 2002-2005 Got Questions Ministries. All Rights Reserved.www.gotquestions.org - Is it ever right to lie? |
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200 | Is it always a sin to lie? | Ex 20:16 | Wild Olive Shoot | 161965 | ||
Me too. Being an infant, I’m not sure how helpful I would have been. But enduring Desert Storm (not making any comparison) you would have been welcomed in mine. And being that tomorrow is the day for honoring our veterans, thank you. WOS |
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