Old Testament

I'm talking to a friend about the Bible, and we'll need to check what the Bible actually says on a subject.  My friend says, "Here, I've got a Bible in… — September 4, 2012

Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise (Psalm 119:41). The psalmist wants love and has no qualms about asking for… — September 3, 2012

What do you do with the story of the guy who was stoned for picking up sticks on the Sabbath?  I taught on this in Sunday school this past week.… — August 29, 2012

Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! (Psalm 119:40). Normal people don't say "Behold" any more.  "Behold, I went to Famous Footware today… — August 26, 2012

Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good (Psalm 119:39 ESV). What do you dread?  Getting fired?  Speaking in public?  The psalmist fears reproach.… — July 30, 2012

Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared (Psalm 119:38 ESV). While most verses in Psalm 119 mention keeping, observing or delighting in God's laws, this verse doesn't really… — July 23, 2012

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (Psalm 119:36). If you don't know Hebrew, it's helpful to read an Old Testament verse in multiple… — July 1, 2012

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it (Psalm 119:35 ESV). "We're following the leader, the leader, the leader.  We're following the leader… — June 24, 2012

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart (Psalm 119:34 ESV). How do you feel when you don't understand something? … — June 18, 2012

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end (Psalm 119:33 ESV). What do you pray about?  A new job?  Health for you or… — June 10, 2012

I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding (Psalm 119:32 NRSV). Yesterday, I took our dog Tiglath-pileser IV (named after the Neo-Assyrian ruler, TP… — May 27, 2012

IVP's final Dictionary of the Old Testament has just come out (May 17, 2012). If you're interested you can buy it here: Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets… — May 24, 2012

David committed murder and adultery and he was allowed to remain as king, but Saul performed a premature sacrifice and he lost the throne.  What's up with that? … — May 23, 2012

I cling to your decrees, O LORD; let me not be put to shame (Psalm 119:30 NRSV). "Fly, you fools!"  Our son Nathan exclaimed as he was clinging… — May 21, 2012

In the spirit of God Behaving Badly, several people have mentioned versions of this chart to me, One of the atheists mentioned it to me while I was… — May 18, 2012

Frank Viola's blog is hosting part 2 of an interview with me about the God of the Old Testament: God Behaving Badly: Part II | Beyond Evangelical |… — May 9, 2012

My son Noah's birthday was Friday (he's 15).  Instead of hanging out as a family, Shannon and I decided to attend a weekend seminar entitled, "Loving Your Teen." … — May 7, 2012

Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law (Psalm 119:29 NRSV). False ways are close enough to the psalmist that he* needs divine help… — May 7, 2012