I will be teaching Job 38-42 in our adult Sunday School class. In preparing for this class I studied the LXX, the ESV and the NIV. Verse 36 in the LXX reads as follows: And who has given to women skill in weaving or knowledge of embroidery? ESV: Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? NIV: Who endowed the heart with wisdome or gave understanding to the mind. Our versions are about as different from the LXX as one could ever hope to find? Any rational reason for the difference in translations? Thank you. Ken Heflin     Students of the Bible who have observed various translations of Job 38:36 have also observed the disparity between some of those translations. Albert Barnes prefaced his treatment of this verse by saying: “There is great variety in the interpretation of this passage.” The following translations illustrate this variety of translation: “And who has given to women skill in weaving or knowledge of embroidery?” (Septuagint or LXX); “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” (KJV). “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” (NKJV). “Who has put wisdom in the clouds, or given understanding to the mists?” (RSV). The question, naturally, is why such variety in translation.     One commentary notes that most of our English translations correspond to the Hebrew text (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown). The Septuagint, of course, is a translation from Hebrew …

When you and the family go out to eat, do you go to the nearest garbage dump? A few years ago, I was in Africa doing some teaching. Near the school was a large garbage dump. The vultures came for their meals. There, also, young children dug through the filth of that place, looking for something to eat.     None of us would think of eating garbage when wholesome food is available, yet there were those who were doing just that. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13).     Peter stated that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), yet many prefer to eat at the garbage dump of men’s doctrines, and of the world. Where are you feeding spiritually?

Did you ever see a person who was so angry that he was frothing at the mouth? The Bible tells us of at least one such person. His name is Naaman. In 2 Kings 5, we are told in verse 11 that he was furious, and in verse 12 that he turned and went away in a rage. Why was this man so angry? Had someone kidnapped one of his children or killed one of his friends? No! This man was furious and in a rage because a prophet of God had told him how he could be cured of his leprosy. He couldn’t cure himself, but wanted to tell God how it should be done. It should be noted that as he went away in a rage, he went away a leper.     As sad as this incident is, there is something that is even sadder. Man is lost in sin. God provides the way to be forgiven. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Preachers don’t like these words of Jesus. They want to be saved, but want to do it their way. They just want to say something they call “the sinner’s prayer.” “Baptism has nothing whatever to do with one’s salvation,” they say. They get angry with God. They are still in their sins. Do you get angry with God when through His Word He tells you what you must do to be saved, and how you must worship Him?

This is hardly news to any conscientious parent, but it is something that should be emphasized time and again. Two recent studies make the connection between the type of music teenagers listen to and the attitudes they develop and carry out in life. A Rand Corp. study on raunchy music lyrics found that kids who listen to music with degrading sexual content were much more likely to have teenage sex. Among heavy listeners, 51% started having sex within 2 years, compared to 29% of those who said they listened to little or no sexually degrading music. Steven Martino, a researcher for Rand Corp. states, “We think it really lowers kids’ inhibitions and makes them less thoughtful about sexual decisions, and may influence them to make decisions they regret.”     An earlier study by the University of North Carolina’s Teen Media Center looked at all music, not just raunchy lyrics, and came up with similar findings. Kids who listen to a lot of sexual content when 12-14 years old were twice as likely to have sex between the ages of 14-16 as kids who were not exposed to much sexual media. Their exposure to sexual content in media, including the music they listen to, is forming their expectations that early, relationship-free sex is the norm. As an example of this, one public school teacher was troubled by his teenage students dressing immorally, and when he expressed this to them, they were “shocked and hurt” by this characterization. To them, they were simply just “dressing in …

The Holy Scriptures give us insight into the lives of certain men, women and young people whose hearts were filled with towering faith. In our generation, when we read and meditate upon the Bible text, we are able to discern the significance of faith in action and how it leads to our Father’s good pleasure.  Unlike others whose minds were burdened with unbelief, these men and women lived triumphantly in walking with God by faith (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7). In his epistle, John writes, “…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4 KJV).     Contrary to thoughts of the worldly mind, a man or woman of faith is not someone who has swallowed a “gullible pill.” An individual driven by faith is not one who has chosen to wear blinders and is willing to make a supposed “leap in the dark” unaware of where his landing might be.     The first couple was defeated in the Garden of Eden as they allowed Satan to undermine their faith in God. Satan wanted Adam and Eve to question whether God truly had their best interest at heart in his forbidding them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (cf. Genesis 3:5). A stronger faith on their part would have empowered them against the temptation to succumb. Unbelief and distrust are favorite tools Satan continues to employ to wield victory over the weak and faithless.     Hebrews Chapter 11 gives us some of the more notable examples …

The Psalmist’s declaration should bring comfort to the Christian citizen: “God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne” (Psalm 47:8). Christ’s disciples who populate the United States of America wonder (sometimes, perhaps, anxiously?) about the outcome of war, the result of adversarial politicking and the consequences of the waning morality of the public. Is the nation rapidly traversing the gulf from righteousness and God’s blessing to the sort of wickedness that inevitably provokes God’s wrath?     Bible students know the history of God’s dealings with kingdoms, whether chosen Israel of old or anyone else. Of the once chosen nation (Deuteronomy 7:6) who engulfed themselves in iniquity, God promised, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). When they would not, they were punished and scattered (2 Kings 17, 24-25). The Almighty God employed the kings and armies of other nations to execute His wrath. Assyria thought his conquering was of his own might, but the nation was just a pawn in the plan of the All-Powerful (Isaiah 10:5-11). Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was designated by God to be lifted up and have all nations serve him (Jeremiah 27:5-8), but that same Babylon would be quickly destroyed (Isaiah 13-14). “Hell from beneath” would be “excited” about meeting this corrupt kingdom (Isaiah 14:9).     It is this Nebuchadnezzar that dramatizes the way in which …

In the years preceding the American Civil War, the brotherhood of churches of Christ had begun to experience significant unrest. Many were discouraged, feeling the advancement of the cause for which they had been laboring was beginning to decline and that the brotherhood stood weakened because of it. This factor, along with many others, contributed to the introduction of human innovations and organizations in an attempt to remedy this and other problems. In defense of bringing the instrument into the church’s worship, McGarvey records the Broadway church in Lexington, KY, as claiming that if the instrument were not implemented, “the future prosperity of the church was at stake” (45). Justification for the mission societies and other organizations carried the same tone. G.W. Elley wrote, “They [societies] have been advocated as necessary to the increase of the number to be saved” (qtd. in West 209, emp. added).     When we work for the cause of leading souls to our Lord, it is sometimes easy to become discouraged when we don’t see the results we expect. It may be a temptation, as it was for those gone before, to begin seeking new methods—turning to new innovations for the answer to such disappointments. However, the advancement of Christianity does not depend upon our own devices or schemes, nor the schemes of others.     There are some today who seek a remedy in unscriptural innovations, the same as those mentioned from times past, to promote growth. The answer cannot be found there. Likewise, though much good is done …

This morning I was talking with a woman about her relationship with her husband, and she informed me that he had run out of magnet. I almost laughed, but did not, as I realized that she meant that he had lost his power of attraction. In the 72 years I have lived, I never recall hearing that expression before, although I wonder why, for we have heard of persons with magnetism, and we have heard and talked about magnetic personalities. As I meditated on what she told me, I thought of the expression in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.” Like a magnet, He would attract men of all kinds. Doubtless, He was speaking of His being lifted up on the cross, as references in John 3:14 and John 8:28 would indicate. However, that “lifting up” would avail very little if there were not three other kinds of lifting up. He had to be lifted up from the tomb, lifted up to the right hand of God in Heaven, and lifted up by the proclamation of the Gospel and the living of Christlike lives where the life of Christ “may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:10).     This is the point at which my mind kept returning to the question, “Have you run out of magnet?” Have you lost your drawing power? We never had any drawing power that was worth anything in the first place that did not result …

Paul wrote to the Roman church and said, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22). The context of this passage is a warning concerning that the brethren in Rome needed to stay faithful or they would be cut off as were the Jews who failed to follow God. We must be balanced in our preaching.     Severity: There is indeed a time and a need for “Hellfire and Brimstone” preaching. There is a time to clearly point out the consequences of disobedience, or simply a failure to obey God. A good portion of the New Testament is dedicated to that. Sadly, many have gone to a “feel-good only” preaching and teaching that ignores this very adamantly scriptural fact: God will punish those who “know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).     On the other hand, however, we must not become unbalanced to the other side either. Paul calls the Romans to remember the GOODNESS and the severity of God. The first time that I remember singing the little song, “God Is Good” was in India, and I heard it first in Telegu, the language of the state of Andrha Pradesh in South India. It has simple lyrics: God is good, God is good, God is good, He’s so good to me (or sometimes a variety of that). Throughout history the …

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat’” (Luke 22:31; cf. Matthew 16:23).     He wasn’t exactly a great prospect. His resume had some rather obvious “gaps” in it. He was an uneducated (Acts 4:13) fisherman (Matthew 4:18). He was quick-tempered (John 18:10; Matthew 26:50-51), impetuous and impulsive. He was prone to break his word (Mark 14:29; Matthew 26:74). He made promises that he didn’t keep; in fact, he lied. He started things that he didn’t finish (Matthew 14:28-30). He was prone to fear and doubt (Matthew 14:30-31). He couldn’t always be counted on in a pinch (Mark 14:53-54). He could be cowardly (Luke 22:54-60a) and undependable (Matthew 26:40-41; Mark 14:37). He couldn’t always control his tongue (Mark 14:71). He couldn’t always see the “big picture” (Matthew 16:23; John 18:11), but was often preoccupied with the urgent and immediate. He was a narrow-minded racist (Acts 2:39; 10:13-14; Galatians 2:11-14) and a male chauvinist (John 4:27).     Let’s be brutally honest—Simon Peter (Matthew 16:17; John 21:15-17) wasn’t “the right man” for leading the early church. Right? The Lord needed an entirely different breed of man. He required an uncommon stock—a man with minor blemishes, a near-perfect specimen, a spiritual giant. He needed a man with a long track record of spirituality and maturity—or did He (Luke 6:12-14a)?     At Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, there was Peter—boldly preaching the first Gospel sermon with his fellow apostles (Acts 2:14, 38)! Yes, Peter! However, it didn’t stop there. The …

By J.C. Choate (deceased) Christ came into this world to live among men and to die on the cross that man might be saved. The Lord himself said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Paul said, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  The Lord knew that He would not be in this world very long, so He chose twelve men and trained them during His three years of earthly ministry to carry on His work after His departure. These were ordinary, uneducated men. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector, and the professions of the others were not important enough even to be identified. However, the important thing was that they were willing to leave their jobs and families to follow Jesus. On hearing His teaching and seeing His miracles, they were strengthened in their faith. When He told them that He would soon be going away, He promised to send the Comforter or the Holy Spirit to help them. Even though He was teaching them and preparing them for the work, still they were humans, subject to mistakes, certain to forget many of the things He had taught them. They would need the Holy Spirit to guide them in all of the things they said and did so that only the truth would be taught. They would also be enabled …

I heard the siren and I knew that the rescue squad vehicle was near. I opened the blinds at the window here in my office and sure enough there it was, and it stopped across the street from my house. I knew the elderly lady and her son who lived down the street, so I hurriedly dressed and went over to see how she was doing. She is ninety-seven years old and was not doing well at all. She was taken to the hospital by the rescue squad. Her son was emotional in expressing his concern for his beloved mother, and I can understand why he would feel that way.     I have mixed feelings when I hear the sound of a siren. In this case, it was the rescue squad coming to the aid of someone in distress. First of all, I am thankful that such help is available. One of the reasons we live where we do is because of the availability of medical assistance. It is encouraging to know that when one needs help in a hurry, it is there. On the other hand, when I hear the sirens of such vehicles, I know that someone is in need of medical care, or even it might be indicative that someone has died.     Life is like that. Each day we involve ourselves in our work and our family affairs. The sun is shinning, and life goes on. Though we might have some aches and pains, we go …

We affirm that the Bible is not a science textbook, yet every time the Bible speaks of that which is scientific, what it says is scientifically accurate. There are many who would have us believe that one cannot accept the truth of the Bible and the truth of science at the same time, because the two are in tension one with the other. Such is not only not the case, but it is ridiculous! There are so many evidences of the scientific accuracy of the Bible that in an article as brief as this one we can mention only two, at most.     In the 1930’s, American medical scientists learned that human blood is all the same when properly typed and cross-matched. They learned it is different from animal blood, and there can be no such thing as cross transfusion without death resulting for the recipient of animal blood, and vice versa. That was hailed as one of the great scientific discoveries of the 20th Century, and indeed it was! However, two-thousand years before this research was done and these important facts were known, the apostle Paul, speaking to a group of Athenian philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens said, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…”(Acts 17:26a NKJV). Since, in Paul’s day it was unknown that every nation of men has but one blood, how does one explain his mentioning this scientific fact? There can be only one reasonable explanation, and …