My blog

Category: Verses

  • The Blood

    Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’ Lev 17:12 NKJV

    As ghoulish as it sounds, there’s blood in the Bible.  The children of Israel painted blood on the lintel and the door frames to keep the angel of death from striking the firstborn son when God called the children of Israel out of Egypt.

    Blood is a big part of the Christian faith because it was by His blood…the blood of Jesus Christ that God forgives us our sins. I often wondered why eating blood from under-cooked meat seemed abhorrent. Now I know. 

    This verse is from the Old Testament where God is giving the children of Israel standards to live by. In those days it was sinful to eat the blood of an animal. Blood is sacred. And it’s life-giving. Without blood, we die. It’s that simple.

    Blood types were unknown to ancient Israel but we know about them today. Maybe you’ve donated blood in a blood drive on in times of crisis.  I remember donating blood on 9-11.  I was the last person they would accept for a donation.  It was almost midnight by the time they could take my blood and I was happy to do it.  We all have the potential to save someone with our life-giving blood. Donate today!   

    And there may have been a practical reason for God to give His children this command. He knew something about animals’ blood they didn’t. The animals in those days may have had diseases unknown to the Israelites. Today, the same is true but for a very different reason.  Conglomerate farms keep animals penned in crowded environments and fed less than healthy diets. If the meat is organic, bought from a small single-owned farmer, then a person is ahead of the game but it’s expensive. 

    When I see a verse like this, I want to apply it to today’s living and I can. How about you?

  • Speech Impediment

    Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exo 4:10 NKJV

    This verse spoke to my heart because I too am not eloquent when speaking from a podium or the like. I need time to ponder my words becoming more and more careful of my speech the older I get. It’s the reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth. To listen better and then speak.

    But in Moses’ case, he had a speech impediment and the task God had given him seemed impossible to do. And yet, God knew Moses would succeed because God orchestrated the situation and Moses’ steps. I find comfort because Moses had failings. He killed an Egyptian which thrust him out of the society that had been his life and yet, God had a plan despite his human condition.

    The movie “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston doesn’t depict Moses as having had the speech impediment but the actor portrayed Moses’ humbleness well. While the movie follows the book of Exodus, there is poetic license and scenes which are not Biblical. It might be fun to watch the movie and follow along in the Bible to see where the movie is in error. If for no other reason than to prove what is the truth and what isn’t.

  • Rainbows!

    I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Gen 9:13 NKJV

    Rainbows are a sign of God’s promise to never again flood the earth. They remind us of His faithfulness and one of my favorite things. I always look for them on a rainy and sunny day and ask God to show me His rainbow. I look for it and there it is. Then I thank Him for His revelation and promise.

    I’ve had the privilege of seeing double rainbows on more occasions than I can count. Sometimes they are beautiful and bright with defined colors and sometimes they are pastel and watery. It doesn’t matter which, I’m always amazed at God’s faithfulness.

    Years ago I worked in a large firm in California. I remember looking out the window of that four-story building where a rainbow splashed against the sky.  A few young girls sat at their desks and we discussed rainbows and their significance.  The astonished look on their faces told me they didn’t know rainbows were biblical, or that they were God’s promise to us.

    What are your recollections of rainbows?