Genesis 1:2
In the abeginning, God created the heavens and the earth.2 The earth was bwithout form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
RSB:
1:2 The earth . . . deep. The primordial earth is lightless and landless. Neither the origins of darkness and the abyss nor the origin of Satan (3:1–6) is explained in Genesis. Their beginnings are a mystery, but only God is eternal (Ps. 90:2; Prov. 8:22–31). In the new heaven and new earth there will be no sea or darkness (Rev. 21:1, 25).
earth was without form and void. This description signifies the as yet unordered or unfilled creation. Some view it as a negative threat of chaos that is overcome by God’s creative power.
Some suggest that vv. 1 and 2 refer to two separate creative acts separated by a span of time. They argue that the initial creation fell into a desolate condition (perhaps because of the fall of Satan), and that the Hebrew word here translated “was” should be rendered “became.” This view is very doubtful, however, because the proposed translation “became” is unlikely in this context, and because the description “without form and void” refers more naturally to a creation yet to be formed and filled, rather than to one that had fallen into disrepair.
Spirit of God. God’s Spirit gives life to all; when He withdraws His Spirit, life ceases. He continues to give life and to withdraw life (Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30; Eccl. 12:7; Luke 23:46). The Spirit also builds “temples”: the cosmos (Ps. 104:1–4); the tabernacle (Ex. 28:3; 35:31); Christ (Luke 1:35; cf. John 2:19); the church (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:22). See “The Holy Spirit”at John 14:26.
hovering over the . . . waters. Hovering eagle-like over the primordial abyss, the almighty Spirit makes the earth into a habitation for human beings.
ESVSB:
Gen. 1:2 The initial description of the earth as being without form and void, a phrase repeated within the OT only in Jer. 4:23, implies that it lacked order and content. The reference to darkness … over the face of the deep points to the absence of light. This initial state will be transformed by God’s creative activity: the Spirit of God was hovering. This comment creates a sense of expectation; something is about to happen. There is no reason to postulate that a long time elapsed between Gen. 1:1 and 1:2, during which time the earth became desolate and empty. Critical scholars argue that the word “deep” (Hb. tehom) is a remnant of Mesopotamian mythology from the creation account called Enuma Elish. Marduk, in fashioning the universe, had also to vanquish Tiamat, a goddess of chaos. These scholars believe that the Hebrew God had to conquer the chaos deity Tiamat in the form of the “deep” (notice the similarity of the two words tehom and “Tiamat”). There are many linguistic reasons, however, for doubting a direct identification between the two. In any event, there is no conflict in Genesis or in the rest of the Bible between God and the deep, since the deep readily does God’s bidding (cf. 7:11; 8:2; Ps. 33:7; 104:6).
BibleRef:
Genesis 1:1 announced that God created everything: “the heavens and the earth.” Verse 2 begins to describe the process of that creation.
According to this text, the earth was empty and literally in chaos. The Hebrew words used here are tōhu and bōhu, translated as “formless” and “void.” Segments of Bible scholarship disagree about whether this “formlessness” was the state of the earth immediately after the initial creation, or the result of some events between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. In either case, at this point in the story, the earth is covered with deep waters. A darkness was over the surface, and the Spirit of God was over the waters.
Why darkness? Light will not be created until the following verse. There can be only darkness at this point. Still, God’s Spirit is moving in this darkness. God is preparing to speak, to act with great power to bring order and light to this chaos.
Genesis 6
6 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them,2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.3 Then the Lord said, z“My Spirit shall not abide in1 man forever, afor he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”4 The Nephilim2 were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.
5 bThe Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every cintention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And dthe Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it egrieved him to his heart.7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”8 But Noah ffound favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Noah and the Flood
9 These are the generations of Noah. gNoah was a righteous man, hblameless in his generation. Noah iwalked with God.10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.12 And God jsaw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, kfor all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.13 And God said to Noah, l“I have determined to make an end of all flesh,3 for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.4 Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits,5 its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.16 Make a roof6 for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.17 mFor behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.18 But nI will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”22 oNoah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
BIBLEREF:
Chapter Summary:
God sees. In the first chapter of Genesis, God saw that all He had made was good. Now, many generations after sin entered the world, God sees that all man has made is wickedness and evil. Human beings have used their power for violence and destruction. God declares His plan to wipe out all land-dwelling life on the face of the earth. He will however, preserve humanity and animal life for a new beginning through the one righteous man, Noah, and a huge life-giving structure called an ark.
Chapter Context:
The previous chapter traced the generations from Adam through his son Seth and all of the way to Noah. This chapter reveals that Noah will be the man through whom God will preserve humanity for a new beginning after wiping out all life on the face of the earth. God tells Noah to build an enormous structure, an ark, and prepare to welcome representatives of all of the animals on earth. Noah does exactly that, setting the stage for the cataclysmic judgment of God to come in chapter 7.
Genesis 9:20-25 – Noah and his sons
20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
After the flood subsided Noah and his family disembarked from the ark and not too long after that something terrible happened.
Noah, a man of the soil proceeded to plant a vineyard when he drank some of its wine he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him. He said cursed be Canaan the lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. Gen 9:20-22, 24-25
It sounds like an accident like ham walked in and saw something that he wasn’t supposed to see Was it really prohibited to see another man naked even your father? Is ham in trouble because he told his brothers and was this something so bad that it would merit cursing an entire nation of people? The phrase “see your father’s nakedness” is an idiom that can mean to lie with your father or even your father’s wife. It goes beyond walking into the room and catching someone undressing. The author of Genesis is telling us that Ham took advantage of either Noah or Noah’s wife, it was a shameful and forbidden sort of thing in fact it was exactly the kind of behavior that God just flooded the world to prevent. This is why Ham’s descendants, the Canaanites, are cursed. Ham’s behavior threatened to undo everything that God had just done with the flood.
Genesis 9:20-25 – Noah and his sons
20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
After the flood subsided Noah and his family disembarked from the ark and not too long after that something terrible happened.
Noah, a man of the soil proceeded to plant a vineyard when he drank some of its wine he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him. He said cursed be Canaan the lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. Gen 9:20-22, 24-25
It sounds like an accident like ham walked in and saw something that he wasn’t supposed to see Was it really prohibited to see another man naked even your father? Is ham in trouble because he told his brothers and was this something so bad that it would merit cursing an entire nation of people? The phrase “see your father’s nakedness” is an idiom that can mean to lie with your father or even your father’s wife. It goes beyond walking into the room and catching someone undressing. The author of Genesis is telling us that Ham took advantage of either Noah or Noah’s wife, it was a shameful and forbidden sort of thing in fact it was exactly the kind of behavior that God just flooded the world to prevent. This is why Ham’s descendants, the Canaanites, are cursed. Ham’s behavior threatened to undo everything that God had just done with the flood.
Genesis 12:1-3 – “I will bless those who bless you…”
Exodus 7:1-5
7 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like oGod to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your pprophet.2 qYou shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land.3 But rI will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I smultiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment.5 The Egyptians tshall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.”
RSB:
7:2–5 The theological explanation of the plagues is given in the first five plagues. Pharaoh’s obstinacy is self-motivated (7:22; 8:15, 32; 9:7). God is said to have hardened Pharaoh’s heart in plagues seven, eight, and nine (10:1, 20, 27). In the sixth plague, the obstinacy stems from Pharaoh himself (9:35), but God also claims to have hardened Pharaoh (10:1). God’s purpose is not simply judgment on Pharaoh, but manifesting His power to save His people so that His name might be proclaimed in all the earth (9:16; Rom. 9:17, 18).
Exodus 20:8-10
Exodus 21:23-25 – “An eye for an eye”
An Eye For An Eye
But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot
As a believer we’ve been guilty of a lot of misquoted Bible verses, but a lot of non-believers try to use the Bible out of context as well. They read this passage in Exodus as grounds for revenge. In regard to the Old Testament it’s important to understand the immediate scriptural context and the bigger picture context of the old testament. In this instance, it’s a law designed to protect a pregnant woman and her unborn child. It would have been easier to write a life for a life but they didn’t have an “action Bible” to read like I did.
The greater context is that the Old Testament points us to a need for a savior and grace to follow Him, because none of us could uphold the Levitical laws.
Leviticus 10:1-2
10 Now yNadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, zeach took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered aunauthorized1 fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.2 And fire bcame out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
RSB:
10:1 censer. A vessel for burning incense.
unauthorized fire. Lit. “strange fire.” Apparently the instructions for offering incense were not properly followed, perhaps by using coals from elsewhere than the altar (Lev. 16:12; cf. Ex. 30:1–9). Some interpreters suggest that the two men were also drunk (cf. v. 9).
10:2 fire came out from before the Lord. The Old Testament frequently warned against approaching God in an unfit state (Ex. 19:12, 21); this principle is also evident in the New Testament (Acts 5:1–10; 1 Cor. 11:29, 30). Eating sacrificial food while unclean (7:21) or entering the Most Holy Place without divine approval might lead to death (16:2). The same divine fire that ignited the inaugural sacrifice, providing atonement for the people (9:24), now engulfed those who encroached upon His altar in an unauthorized fashion. So also the same divine wrath against sin that fell upon Christ in His vicarious sacrifice for His people will blaze against those who reject that sacrifice and yet attempt to approach God in their sin (Heb. 10:26–31).
ESVSB:
Lev. 10:1–3 Nadab and Abihu, the eldest of Aaron’s four sons, capriciously took censers of their own, put incense in them, and offered unauthorized fire (lit., strange or foreign fire; see ESV footnote) to the LORD. The offense lies in their doing it their own way instead of in a way authorized by the Lord, and as a result they were instantly killed. (This probably also involved entering—or trying to enter—the Most Holy Place [cf. 16:1–2] after drinking alcohol [cf. 10:8–11].) The point of the story is that God will not allow his holiness to be violated, not even by members of the high priest’s family. And Aaron held his peace. He raised no vocal objection against God’s justice in the death of his sons; perhaps he was simply dumbfounded.
Leviticus 18:22
Deuteronomy 20:1-4 20 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see ihorses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is jwith you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.2 And when you draw near to the battle, kthe priest shall come forward and speak to the people3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you lto fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
RSB:
20:1 you shall not be afraid. Morale in the army, particularly the importance of single-minded reliance upon God, is the subject of vv. 1–9. The exemptions cited illustrate the principle that anyone whose heart was not in the fight should not be there (vv. 5–8). The power of God, rather than numerical superiority, would guarantee Israel’s victory (v. 4; cf. 32:30 note; Judg. 7:1–8). One result of such an attitude would be high morale, which would itself contribute to victory.
ESVSB:
Deut. 20:1–4 The first command regarding warfare is you shall not be afraid of them if the enemy’s army is larger than Israel’s. The reason for not fearing is the presence of God (see 1:19–45). Rather, the enemy’s strength highlights God’s greater power in defeating them. The priest reinforces the command not to fear and reflects the presence of God in the midst of Israel’s army.
EASY ENGLISH:
Verse 1: When the Israelites crossed the River Jordan, they must fight to gain possession of the country. The armies of the nations there would be superior to the army of the Israelites. Those armies would be larger and they would have horses and carts ready for war. Those carts were special ones that soldiers could ride in. They could go very fast, too. That would give to them a great advantage over the Israelites. The Israelites would not have horses and carts.
Moses told the Israelites not to be afraid of these superior armies. The LORD their God rescued them from Egypt. There he had displayed his great power on their behalf. The Egyptians had horses and carts but the LORD defeated them. And he would go into war with his people. With his help, they would defeat the enemies. The LORD God is greater than any power on earth.
This refers to the battles that they would have with the Canaanites. Those battles were necessary. Without those battles they would not be able to possess the country that the LORD had promised to them.
Verses 2-4: Before the Israelites went into battle, a priest would encourage them. He would prepare the army for battle. He would declare to them that the LORD would be with them. The LORD would fight with them and he would give success to them.
Therefore, they must have courage and confidence. They must not fear the enemy. They must not allow the strength of the armies to scare them.
When they went into battle the priest would have a trumpet. At the right time to start fighting, a priest would make a sound with the trumpet. A trumpet is a musical instrument that makes a loud noise. That would remind the Israelites that the LORD was with them (Numbers 10:9).
Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun xsent1 two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of ya prostitute whose name was zRahab and lodged there.
ESVSB:
Josh. 2:1 Joshua … sent two men … as spies. The sending of the two spies, to gather intelligence about the hostile territory, underscores Joshua’s skill as a leader and his concern for prudent preparation. In the wider context, the story of the initial conquest and defeat of Jericho stands in stark contrast to the narrative describing Israel’s failure to take possession of the land 40 years earlier (see Numbers 13–14 and Deuteronomy 1). It also shows the stark contrast between the bad report of the 10 spies (Num. 13:25–33) as compared to the good report of the two spies (“Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands,” Josh. 2:24). Shittim, which means “the Acacia trees,” was east of the Jordan River, though its exact location is unknown. Two potential sites have been proposed: Tell el-Kefrein, 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of the Dead Sea, and the much larger Tell el-Hamman, 2 miles (3.2 km) farther east of the Jordan. Shittim was the site of an earlier instance of Israelite prostitution, both physical and spiritual (Num. 25:1–3). into the house of a prostitute. The narrative carefully avoids any suggestion of a sexual relation between the spies and Rahab. The house most likely was a kind of inn or way station, which would be a logical place to stay and to gather information. Although a prostitute, Rahab was spared judgment by the mercy of God, and she is remembered as one of the ancestors of Christ (Matt. 1:5), for her faith (Heb. 11:31) and for her good works (James 2:25).
RSB:
2:1 Shittim. The site is a reminder of a time when Israel was guilty of harlotry (both physical and spiritual; Num. 25:1–3), a time not forgotten in this book (22:17).
spies. The role of these spies is as unusual as the conquest that is to follow. Both their role and the conquest are shaped by the promise of God. See their report in v. 24. Cf. Num. 13:17–20.
prostitute . . . Rahab. The narrative does not say why they chose Rahab’s house. She is remembered in the New Testament as an ancestor of Christ (Matt. 1:5), and as an example of faith (Heb. 11:31) and good works (James 2:25).
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name 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.
RSB:
7:14 if my people. God promised that the nation would receive relief from the hardships caused by their sin if the people would turn to Him in humility and prayer. This promise was especially relevant to the restored community following the Babylonian exile. A number of events in the divided and reunited kingdoms illustrate the principles of this passage (12:6; 13:14; 14:8–15; 18:31; 20:5–19; 32:20; 33:12, 13 and notes). Many times in Chronicles the concepts in this passage appear as the decisive factor for divine blessing and curses.
humble. An attitude of contrition and dependence on God (12:6, 7, 12; 30:11; 33:12, 19, 23; 34:27).
Isaiah 45:7
Did God create evil?, Mike Winger – Did God Create Evil? A Misunderstood Bible Verse: Isaiah 45:7
I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.
RSB:
45:7 form. See note 27:11. – he who formed. A frequent designation of God as Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer of His people. The verb denotes planning (“purposed,” 46:11); authority, as of an artisan over his materials (41:25); creation and providence (45:18); and the formation of a new people (43:1, 21; 44:2, 21; 49:5; 64:8).
light . . . darkness. The Lord asserts His power over two fundamental poles of reality, as described in Gen. 1:3, 4. The parallel terms “well-being” and “calamity” include the political realities that Cyrus was going to disturb in fulfilling the counsel of God.
ESVSB:
Isa. 45:7 Beyond the case of Cyrus, the Lord’s creative will and wise purposes stand behind everything. Therefore, his people should not be discouraged when the appearances of history seem contrary to his promises.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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.”
Again, this is not a universal promise to all believers in all times.This verse starts in the middle of a sentence-that should give you a clue that it is being taken out of context. This promise is given specifically to God’s covenant people Israel, and it shouldn’t be universally applied to the church, or especially to any nation.
Truthfully, we are blessed much more so in our time, because of Jesus and His sacrifice to atone for our sins-no matter which country we live in, or how much worldly prosperity we have or don’t have.
Ezra 2:1-5
Esther 4:14 – For Such A Time As This
If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?
It’s the fourth quarter with less than a minute left in the game. The Christian coach sets his players down and tells them, “you were made ‘for such a time as this.” … Maybe not. The reality is that the story of Esther isn’t a Disney Princess story. It’s the story of a people on the brink of genocide being saved by woman brave enough to risk her life. Let’s not forget that during this time the King wanted to “sample” of the best women to replace his current queen. Esther was selected for a night to see if she could please the king.
I seriously doubt that anyone hearing this scripture will need to win over a despot king sexually and then risk their life and position to do anything in life. However, I believe that all verses have the power to inform and encourage. The verse reminds us that like Esther we have a purpose in life. It just might not be to hit the game winner, but it’s an important purpose none the less.
Psalm 14:1
Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart”
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
This verse gets quoted quite a lot by Pastors getting into their private jets. All you got to do is pray and your big genie god will give you your desires. Name it and claim it! Bless God! This is one of the more egregious uses of this verse. This is the sort of paradox of following Christ. First you have to empty yourself of your desires so that He can give you new desires.
I like how Jimmy Evans, Author of Marriage on the Rock puts it. “God doesn’t give you your wants. He changes your ‘wantor’ so you want what He wants. (paraphrased)” If you delight yourself in God and God’s will, then you’ll naturally come into alignment with what He desires for you.
Psalm 46:5
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Like a lot of the verses on this list, this one is often used as a “feel good” saying on a plaque or poster. But in its proper context, this is not a good news verse; it’s an Old Testament warning to the armies that oppose God and His people.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Out of Context: Honestly, the most common travesty committed toward this verse is that only a piece of this verse is quoted.
On coffee-mugs, desktop screensavers with roses in the background, and paintings with a mountain, you’ll see a section of this verse carved out from the whole thought: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
In Context: The greatest justice we can provide for this verse is to actually quote it in its entirety. What an incredible comfort and reminder to know that we can be still and know that God is in control.
As His people, we can rest in the truth that He will be exalted in the nations across the earth, and there is nothing that can stop God from accomplishing His will.
Everything God does and says is intentional. Every word in the Scriptures is on purpose and placed in the specific context that He desires. Therefore, we must be careful with the Word of God and be intentional in how we speak this Word!
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
– 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17
Psalm 51:5
“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (NIV)
This verse, especially in the NIV, is used by many to support the doctrine that children are born sinful. It must be established that no matter what Psalm 51 seems to be teaching, it cannot contradict the rest of Scripture. Yet, when individuals take it to mean that children are born in sin, Psalm 51 contradicts the teaching of the rest of the Bible.
The Bible clearly teaches that sin is something that someone does. Not something they inherit. To become guilty of sin, one must commit sin. In First John we read, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (3:4). Sin isn’t something you inherit—it’s something you do.
Likewise, in Ezekiel, we read that “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (18:20). Sin is not passed down from generation to generation. A person is accountable for their own sin.
Also, Psalm 51 is Hebrew poetry, in which literary devices are used. One of these common devices is hyperbole; where the author uses dramatic language to demonstrate meaning. Within Psalm 51 is David’s passionate acknowledgment of his sin with Bathsheba. His point is not to affirm that babies are born sinful, but rather to magnify the depth of his personal iniquity. Lastly, when other translations are viewed alongside the NIV, the true meaning better shines forth.
The KJV, NKJ, ASV, NASB, and ESV all translate the verse in a similar way much different than the NIV which strives to be more of a dynamic equivalent: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me” (NASB). While many may use this verse to support their belief in original sin, such is a misuse of this verse.
Psalm 137:9
“Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!”
The above verse is frequently referenced by those who are antagonistic toward Christianity. It is taken out of context and used to prove that God is a diabolical fiend in favor of infanticide. This particular Psalm has even been cited in high-profile debates by atheists to demonstrate that God’s nature is logically contradictory.
Psalm 137:9 is not an example of God condoning the murdering of babies. It is actually a prophecy concerning the impending destruction of Babylon and how those who destroy Babylon will be “happy,” or “blessed.” The Hebrew word in Psalm 137:9 translated in most translations as “blessed” literally means “happy.” So, the prophecy is, “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock” (Ps 137:9 ASV).
This prophecy concerning the coming destruction of Babylon by those who will be happy to kill their children is paralleled in Isaiah 13:16-18 and was fulfilled when Cyrus, king of the Medes and the Persians, overtook the Babylonian capital in 539 B.C. (almost 200 years after the prophecy).
While this verse is misused to teach that God is evil—or non-existent—it actually teaches the opposite. It demonstrates the omniscience behind the One who inspired the Bible and shows that the Bible transcends the possibility of human authorship.
Proverbs 4:23 – “Guard your heart”
Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child”
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
OK, I’ll admit, I placed this one in here. The idea that if you raise up a child in a Christian home, they’ll turn out great is a nice idea but it’s not reality. My kids are great but they test me sometimes. Your kids and mine are their own people. While we can lay a foundation and pray for them it doesn’t mean they won’t go prodigal or be perfect. While I don’t want my children or yours to do that, sometimes it’s that journey to the dark side that causes them running back. The fallacy of this scripture is taking it blanket a promise. It’s not a scriptural promise from God, but rather wisdom that if you do what you should as a parent then chances are really good that your children will turn out good. Keep in mind that the person that wrote this asked God for wisdom and then failed to follow Him in his old age.
Proverbs 23:7
“For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”
This one is, perhaps, the all-time most abused and misused verse in the whole Bible. It’s used to prop up the pagan heresy that we can “speak things into existence,” and that “our thinking determines our future” or something like that. This is one of the very few verses that “Word of Faith” teachers can use that appears to validate their ridiculous teaching (which comes from the world of sorcery-not the Bible).
First of all, it has to be quoted from the King James Version in order to say what they want it to say; read it in the NIV and it says, “for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost.” In the ESV it says, “for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.” Not exactly a “positive thinking” statement…
Secondly, it’s the second half of a sentence (just like the previous verse)-it’s not even a complete thought by itself. Here’s the same verse (in bold) in the ESV, with the proper context of the verse before and after:
“Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.”
Any pastor/teacher who knowingly misuses this verse to teach the “power of positive confession” or the “law of attraction” or any such thing, is completely disqualified for ministry. You may need to let that sink in for a while, because this means that what many very popular pastors/teachers are saying is 100% wrong. Completely and utterly WRONG. Here’s a great WWUTT Video on this verse.
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish”
This half-of-a-verse must also be quoted in the KJV in order to be misunderstood and abused. “Vision-casting” pastors often use this verse to prop up their false teaching, which says that God gives them special visions that everyone else is required to follow. It can also be used to make people think that whatever idea they have in their head must be a vision from God, and that idea (or “vision”) is what keeps them alive. This is just a spiritualized version of the business/success teaching that encourages people to be focused and excited about their long-term business goals, because that enthusiasm produces positive results-or something like that.
What’s crazy is that false teachers who twist this verse are actually doing the very thing this verse condemns! Here’s the whole verse:
“Where there is no revelation (or prophetic vision), the people cast off restraint; but blessed (or happy) is he who keeps the law.”
This verse is really about people casting off the restraint of God’s Word (His revelation or prophetic vision); which is contrasted against those who are blessed because they keep the law (or listen to God’s Word).
It is the height of blasphemy to twist God’s Word to change the meaning of this verse so that it no longer condemns us for twisting God’s Word; but instead it demands that we follow the “vision” of a man! By the way, having goals for your life and/or business is fine; just don’t emphasize it above your faith and trust in God.
Here’s a great WWUTT Video on this verse. Here’s an Old Testament passage that these false teachers should be using:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you;’ and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”
— Jeremiah 23: 16 & 17
Isaiah 6
Isaiah 45:4-7
Jeremiah 7:1-4
Jeremiah 29:11 – A Plan To Prosper You
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
If you live near Hobby Lobby the chances are this is either on your wall or at least on their shelves. Like the Esther scripture, this verse is meant to encourage an enslaved people. The catch is that the encouragement is really for the next generation. Grandpa you’re probably not going to make it but the good news is I have a plan for you grandkids. If you’re enslaved with no hope, then this is a good message. If you’re in the middle of your morning coffee, it might not be the best news in the world.
Here again, the scripture doesn’t have to paint a rosy picture, Jesus’ purpose wasn’t rosy. However, it was great and God has a purpose for you as well. Honestly, there’s enough bickering about this scripture being misused that there’s no need to bring it up here. The point is to understand the context and then understand that God always has a plan for our future no matter how dark it looks today.
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In the lead-up to the Truth Matters conference in October, we will be focusing our attention on the sufficiency, authority, and clarity of Scripture. Of our previous blog series, none better embodies that emphasis than Frequently Abused Verses. The following entry from that series originally appeared on September 25, 2015. -ed.
What does this verse mean to you?
Most of us have heard that question before—it lurks inside countless Bible studies and Sunday-school classes. It is a postmodern mindset that has become pervasive in the church.
When reading a book, an article, or a blog post, we implicitly understand that its meaning is bound to the author’s intent. The same ought to be true for Scripture—God alone is the arbiter of what He means through what He has revealed in His Word. Yet Scripture is now subject to the whims of the reader, who is prone to read personal experience into the text instead of discovering—and coming under—its objective truth. The worst forms of this are when people think they’re helping God—improving upon His perfection, sanitizing His story, and smoothing out the sharp edges of His truth.
Life is not as subjective as we might like to think. We don’t get to decide what a red light means when we approach a traffic signal. Bank managers can’t arbitrarily determine your account balance. And, thankfully, airlines don’t hire pilots who take the liberty to decide what “runway” means to them. It is absurd to think that we can approach God’s Word with lower standards. God says what He means and means what He says, always speaks without error, and has been kind enough to speak to us with simplicity and clarity.
The tsunami of topical preaching we see today has scarred the evangelical landscape. A topical message is not wrong in and of itself, but problems are inevitable when that becomes the main diet of a congregation. Pastors who preach texts divorced from their context invariably beget congregations who interpret texts divorced from the Author’s intent. The result is that too many believers today have a propensity to treat God’s Word as their own private smorgasbord of theology.
Another place you see this trend—interpreting verses out of context—in action is in choosing of a “life verse.” Many Christians like to pick a verse that speaks to them and try to make it the theme for their lives. It’s no surprise that none of the passages concerning God’s judgment make the cut. Instead, the spectacular promises of blessing and success reign supreme.
And sitting on top of the mountain of verses evangelicals frequently misappropriate and misapply is Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
It’s All About You
Unsurprisingly, Jeremiah 29:11 is a go-to verse for celebrity pastor, Joel Osteen. His takeaway is that “God desires to see you flourish in this life. He wants to see you come out of setbacks stronger, wiser, increased and promoted. He wants to give you hope in your final outcome and see you come to a flourishing finish.” [1]
Andy Stanley, pastor of America’s largest congregation, says “We may not know for certain everything our future holds, but we know that God thinks good thoughts toward us, to give us a future and a hope.” [2]
Rick Warren also typifies that me-centric approach in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life:
If you have felt hopeless, hold on! Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you begin to live it on purpose. God says, “I know what I am planning for you. . . . I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” [3]
One has to wonder if Osteen, Stanley, or Warren understand how badly they have misconstrued and misapplied God’s Word—and how they’ve misled their followers. They give zero acknowledgement to the Author’s original intent or His original audience when they rip this verse from its biblical setting. Reading Jeremiah 29:11 in context paints a starkly different picture and delivers a far more profound truth.
It’s Not About You
The nation of Israel had been taken by the Babylonians into captivity. The Temple, as well as the entire city of Jerusalem, was in ruins. Their king was in chains with his eyes gouged out. The glory of Israel as a nation was finished. But in the midst of that terrible situation, God spoke through His prophet Jeremiah:
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, “Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
For thus says the Lord, “When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.”
Because you have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon”—for thus says the Lord concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile—thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness. I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, because they have not listened to My words,” declares the Lord, “which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,” declares the Lord. You, therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:4–20)
In context, verse 11 is clearly not meant as a love letter or a promise of blessing to individual believers in the twenty-first century.
And here are a few other points to consider: How do Joel Osteen, Andy Stanley, and Rick Warren know that God is directly speaking to their congregants in verse 11 but not in Jeremiah 29:17–19, where God promises to send “the sword, famine and pestilence”? Have they considered that God’s soothing promises in verse 11 are delivered to Israel while He has His foot on their neck in judgment (Jeremiah 29:4)? What about the fact that those who received the promise in verse 11 would likely not live to experience its fulfillment seventy years later (Jeremiah 29:10). And in their egotistical exegesis, can they grasp the irony that Israel was in Babylonian slavery because they listened to prophets who tickled their ears (Jeremiah 29:8–9)?
There is something far greater and eternally significant that we learn from this story in its true context. God does not abandon His people! In spite of their sin, God was relentlessly faithful to His covenants regarding Israel’s future and His promised Messiah. Not even Babylonian captivity could prevent His promises from coming to pass.
Likewise His promises to us as New Testament believers concerning our calling and election are also unshakeable (John 10:27–29). And they provide far more lasting comfort than Old Testament verses plucked out of context and misappropriated for modern audiences.
Footnotes:
- [1]: Joel Osteen, Today’s Word with Joel Osteen—May 29, 2012 (Devotional).
- [2]: https://thekingdomcorner.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/andy-stanley-life-may-be-uncertain-but-god-isnt/
- [3]: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012) 35.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 – God Has Plans for YOU
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
MacArthur: 29:11 thoughts of peace. This assured God’s intentions to bring about blessing in Israel’s future (cf. chaps. 30–33).
29:12–14 you will call. What God planned, He also gave the people opportunity to participate in by sincere (v. 13) prayer. Cf. 1 John 5:14, 15.
Grace/Truth: 29:1–32 This chapter contains excerpts from two letters Jeremiah sent to the exiles in Babylon. He sent the letters soon after Jehoiachin’s deportation to Babylon (597 BC), early in the reign of Zedekiah. The text is somewhat confusing because it does not explicitly state that it contains two letters. In the editorial process, excerpts from the two letters were fused together, making it appear that there is only one. Verses 1–23 contain portions of the first letter, and verses 24–32 contain excerpts from the second letter.
In the first letter, Jeremiah tells the exiles to abandon hope of a speedy return to Jerusalem. They should establish their homes, raise families and pray for the well-being of Babylon, their home for a time. Then Jeremiah condemns self-styled prophets in the exilic community who were promising that Yahweh would soon return them to Jerusalem (v. 18). Finally, the letter says that two men, Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, were liars and adulterers, and that the Lord would soon slay them (vv. 21–23).
Jeremiah’s second letter to the exiles describes the response of another false prophet in the exilic community, Shemaiah, to Jeremiah’s first letter. It cites a letter sent by Shemaiah, gives further information, and proclaims a divine judgment against him. Verse 28 cites the letter from Shemaiah, which itself cites Jeremiah’s original letter (compare v. 28 to v. 5). The background story is that Shemaiah, infuriated at Jeremiah’s first letter, sent a message to Jerusalem demanding that the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah have Jeremiah put in stocks. Instead, Zephaniah showed Shemaiah’s letter to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah declared that Yahweh would slay Shemaiah and his whole family.
Jeremiah’s first letter to the exiles in Babylon establishes an important principle for how Christians should regard their place in the world and the governments under which they live. The Jewish exiles were to pray for Babylon, settle in the city, and become responsible, productive members of the community. They were not to be a source of sedition and trouble. On the other hand, they were not Babylonians; they were Jews, the people of God. Christians, likewise, should abide by the law, pray for their country, and contribute to their society. But their true citizenship is in heaven (Php 3:20).
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” –
Out of Context: This verse is typically given to someone as a sentiment during a difficult time, or on a graduation card after crossing a stage receiving his or her diploma or degree.
As a stand-alone promise, it appears as though God exists to make us all popular, rich, healthy, and powerfully well known! God declares the American Dream over my life!
In Context: This incredible promise is given not to an individual, but to a people group—Hebrews exiled in Babylon. God promised that He had not given up on His people and that even though things looked dire, they still had a future and a hope!
So, the word “prosper” doesn’t refer to money or material blessings; it refers to physical and spiritual salvation. It’s a beautiful promise that God is not done with His people and that their future and hope were only found in Him.
The promise is that He will see His plans through, and His people get to be a part of them.
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11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah talks about God’s plans he’s speaking to the Israelite people who are heading into Babylonian captivity, they’re being taken out of their land and forced to live as subjects of Babylon. They have no idea if they will ever return if they will ever see their home or their Temple again. Their lives are being torn apart and they know that it’s their fault. They turn from the Lord and now they face the consequences. But in the midst of this that Jeremiah gives them these words of hope he tells them that the Lord has not abandoned them in fact God has plans for them they may be going into Exile today but a time will come when the Lord will restore them when they will return to Israel and begin again. Those hearing these words might not ever see this when God says you God’s not necessarily meaning each individual God means you as “my people”, you the people of God will ultimately prosper now this doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have plans for us as individuals but it reminds us that when we hear the Lord speaking we have to listen for God’s bigger message we have to tune our ears not just to hear the message for ourselves as individuals but the message that God has for all of us this reminder that in the end we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse is often printed on greeting cards and plaques (or used in a peaceful looking meme); it works really good as a “feel good” saying, but it’s not meant to do that; no verse in the Bible should be removed from it’s proper context just to make us feel good (and sell stuff). This verse is a promise to the ancient tribe of Judah in a particular time when they were being held captive in Babylon because of their rebellion against God. God was assuring them that they would eventually be freed-which finally happened 150 years later.
This is not a universal promise from God for all believers in all times, no matter how many times you “declare it” or “claim it.” Here’s a great WWUTT Video on this verse; and here’s a hilarious satire piece on this verse. This is very similar to the next one…
Amos 5:16-17
Jonah 1:7-17 – Jonah and the Whale
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
A Great Fish Swallows Jonah
17And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:7-17
Jonah didn’t want to obey what God had told him to do so he ended up being swallowed by a whale. But that isn’t really what the scripture says there is a word that’s been translated whale in Hebrew it’s TANNEEN. This word actually appears in the story of creation when the text says, and God created Whales and every living creature of the waters. Tanneen is also the word used to describe the sea monster in Isaiah’s prophecy. Tanneen is not the word used to describe the animal that swallows Jonah. In the Hebrew text it says that Jonah was swallowed by a GADOL DAG, a great fish. Dag is the general word for fish in Hebrew it’s not specifying a whale or a sea monster it’s just a fish.
Rarely is there ever a word that describes a specific kind of fish or sea animal, these creatures are almost always spoken of in general terms because overall the Bible isn’t focused on giving us details like that. The authors of these stories want to focus on the bigger message so in the case of Jonah it’s not supposed to matter what kind of fish it was maybe it was a sperm whale or a whale shark or maybe it was just an oversized blowfish. Who knows, that’s not the point. We’re not supposed to care about what fish it was, we’re just supposed to care about why Jonah was in that fish in the first place.
Habakkuk 2:9
“Write the vision, and make it plain (on tablets, so he may run who reads it).”
This is the other verse that “vision-casting” pastors twist in order to maintain their authority. Also, there are false teachers using this (partial) verse to encourage people to write personal vision statements or to construct vision boards with pictures of what they want (sometimes called a “dream board”).
This verse is a specific thing that God told the Prophet Habakkuk at a specific time-it’s not a universal promise from God that you’ll get whatever you want if you just write it down. In fact, the LORD told Habakkuk to write down a vision of the Israelites being taken into captivity by the Babylonians-because they had rebelled against the LORD, not because He was so excited about giving them their dreams!
Malachi 3:8-10
“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Bad pastors will often use these verses to drum up business in their church. It’s usually a lose/lose situation for parishioners; either you’re a bad Christian because you don’t give enough (and you’re hindering the work of God with your lack of faith) or you’re a broke and confused Christian, because you “gave until it hurts” (like you were supposed to), but the windows of heaven haven’t opened up for you yet.
The simple explanation is that this verse is not to be applied to people in churches today. Again, this was God speaking to specific people in a specific time. Simple question: If this was a universal promise from God to the churches today, don’t you think Jesus or the Apostles would have mentioned it in the New Testament?