SHARING MY LOVE FOR THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES 23 JANUARY 2019

Many others before me have loved and referred to the Hebrew scriptures, including Stephen in the early church preaching on God’s plan for humanity (ACTS 7) & the apostle Paul teaching spiritual truths: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction…” (A) And over the years, I’ve repeatedly written posts on the beauty and benefits of the Hebrew Word of God. Now I continue that theme.

THE HEBREW WORD OF GOD SUPERIOR TO OTHER ANCIENT TEXTS. The spiritual advice is profound: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat…For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” (PRV 25: 21-22) The numerous verses of encouragement are also profound, for instance: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shalt save me.” (B) Many soldiers in modern times, many of whom were not religious, have received encouragement from the 23rd Psalm. In contrast the ancient texts like the Egyptian Book of the Dead, a difficult to read collection of superstitious spells and satanic rituals, has given no encouragement. Most ancient texts have little to offer, and I have at times boringly waded through translations of ancient finds.

AN EARLY PROFOUND EXAMPLE. In contrast to the myths & superstitions and mundane business of the ancient world, the chronologically oldest Bible book Job states a deep truth: ” Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (C) Quite a few books have been written on how advanced the scientific advice of the Hebrew Bible was in contrast to ancient thinking. Ideas on sanitation were still deficient in the USA even during our Civil War scandalously leading to the deaths of many soldiers.

HEBREW BIBLE RIGHT ON HISTORY AND PROPHECY. Although it was not written as a history book, it has proved accurate & pointed archeologists in the right direction. The ancient texts and remains back it. For instance, at Nimrud (a.k.a. Calah) (D) a black marble obelisk documents that Isreal’s King Jehu paid Shalmaneser III (860-825 b.c.) tribute. (E) Archeology confirms that Babylonian cuneiform was universally known in the ancient world, so the Hebrew scriptures are accurate depicting people from various lands speaking to each other.

BLESSINGS. Dozens of blessings of God are recorded in the Hebrew Word of God; for instance at DT 28:1-14. The Bible is incomplete without the Hebrew scriptures (commonly called the OT). The new testament only completes the story. Luke 24:44-46 explains how Christ was revealed in the Hebrew Word. Some Jews have come to Christ merely by the Hebrew scriptures. I have been very blessed myself over the years from the Hebrew scriptures, so thank you for letting me share again my thoughts on its beauty and blessings.

Be blessed my friend.

REFERENCES.(A) 1 COR 10:6-10, 2 TIM 3:6, ROM 15:4, HEB 11 (B) PS 138:7 (C) JOB 14:1 (D) referred to at GEN 10:1 (E) cf. 2 KGS 9:2, 24 & Jehu’s royal line judged at HOS 1:4