Chiasms
Mark 13 – WATCH!
There is a line from movie from 20 years ago: You are who you choose to be. In Mark 13, Yashua uses his teaching on the end of days to remind us that we choose how we react to the chaos and destruction of a fallen world. In… Read More »Mark 13 – WATCH!
Three Lies – Three Blessings
Gen 12:9-20; Gen 20:1-18; Gen 26:1-12 Someone recently asked if lying is explicitly forbidden in Torah. We started talking about instances in Scripture where someone lied and it appears to be a good thing. Of course, the story of Abraham claiming Sarah as his sister came up. Abraham… Read More »Three Lies – Three Blessings
Psalm 7 – My Shield is With YHWH
Psalm 7 is full of ugly, violent language: swords, bows, arrows, plunder, trample. However, in the middle of all this chaos David declares, “My shield is with YHWH!” Using poetic devices and chiastic structure, David creates a safe place for himself and us behind YHWH in the… Read More »Psalm 7 – My Shield is With YHWH
Mark 12:28-34
Oh, the manifold wisdom of YHWH! We know the greatest command – Love YHWH and love your neighbor as yourself. But it’s not so simple. These eight verses are organized as 7 chiastics! What message does YHWH have for us in these layers? Analysis of this… Read More »Mark 12:28-34
In the Beginning God Created…Twice?
Genesis 1 and 2 provide two accounts of creation. Study of these two accounts reveals chiastic and parallel structures that support and highlight distinct ideas. In fact, these are not two separate creation stories, but one story told with different purposes. The first account describes the when and… Read More »In the Beginning God Created…Twice?
Parable of the Tenants
Mark 12:1-9 This parable is very well-known and, for many of us, has been studied since Sunday school. This does not decrease its importance but can blind us to its deeper meanings. This section is an allegory or parable. With a cursory understanding of Scripture, we can identify… Read More »Parable of the Tenants