These two chapters seems intrusive. The oracles against the nations ended in Ezekiel 32, followed by the announcement of Jerusalem’s fall (ch. 33) and a transition to the future hope of Israel (ch. 34). Chapters 35-36 are an oracle against Edom (“Mount Seir”) followed...
covenant
Five Differences Between Qur’anic (Sharia) Law and Old Testament Law
I’d recommend this interesting essay to readers. It was published by the Christian Research Institute. The essay has some deficiencies, in that there are other important differences (and nuances within the differences noted). For example, the OT law was also...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 135: Ezekiel 19-20
These two chapters in Ezekiel rehearse parts of Israel’s tragic history in different ways. This episode discusses both chapters, but devotes more attention to several controversial and difficult passages in chapter 20. Ezekiel 19 is a lamentation that uses animal and...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 124 – Ezekiel 17
Ezekiel 17 presents a riddle or parable of two eagles about the treachery of Zedekiah, the puppet governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to replace Jehoiachin, the Judahite king taken captive in an earlier wave of exile of which Ezekiel had been a part. Zedekiah would...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 123 – Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 16 is known for being the most sexually explicit chapter in the Bible. Some scholars even consider it pornographic. The prophet casts the city of Jerusalem as a whore when articulating why God has condemned it and marked it for destruction. This episode...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 114: Ezekiel 4-5
The episode is now live. In this episode, Dr. Michael Heiser explores one of the most memorable examples of performance prophecy in the Bible—Ezekiel’s symbolic acts in chapters 4 and 5. These prophetic dramas are not just eccentric behaviors; they are deliberate...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 102 – “All Israel” to be Saved?
The episode is now live. The focus is the meaning of "all Israel" in Rom 11:25-26. It's not as easy as you think. Naked Bible Podcast Episode 102 dives deep into one of Paul’s most debated phrases: “All Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). In this thoughtful and...
Naked Bible 84: Leviticus 26-27
This episode covers Leviticus 26-27, bringing our study of Leviticus to a close. Our focus is primarily a question raised by Lev 26 -- whether the offer of restoration to Yahweh (and thus to the land) described in Lev 26:40-42 is being fulfilled now or is yet to be...
Naked Bible 69: Leviticus 6 & 7
Leviticus 6-7 These two chapters of Leviticus present the “law” for each of the sacrifices described in chapters 1–5. The earlier chapters emphasize the mechanics of the sacrifices (e.g., the preparation of sacrifices and their ingredients). Leviticus 6-7, on the...
Naked Bible 65: Leviticus 2 & 3
Leviticus 2-3 Each of these two chapters covers a different offering: the grain offering (Lev 2) and the “peace offering” (Lev 3). This episode focuses on the theological messaging of prohibitions (leaven, honey) and requirements (salt) in the rituals. Transcript 65...
Naked Bible 38: Acts 2:22-41
Acts 2:22-41 This episode will focus on two items of biblical theology that are controversial in biblical study: How the New Testament writers / apostles quoted the Old Testament The meaning of Acts 2:38 Of the two, the second is more familiar to Christians due to...
Paul, Israel, and the “Israel of God”
Anyone who has read my series on why the *obsession* with eschatology is a waste of time will recall that one of the big issues is what “Israel” means in the epistles — and especially Paul’s works. This issue is central to any view of...
Biblical Theology, Poverty, and Social Justice, Part 3
Well, finally back to this. Since it’s been so long, I need to give readers the context of the first and second posts. Review In the first post, I had encouraged readers to keep the following items in mind as they read the essay from the Anchor Bible Dictionary...
Biblical Theology, Poverty, and Social Justice, Part 2
I’m hoping that by now those interested will have read the ABD essay I posted on terms for poverty and the poor in the Old Testament. In case readers did not take it upon themselves to do so, here is another PDF of the actual OT occurrences of each of the OT...
ETS-SBL Musings: Imprecatory Prayer
Just got back from the week of conferences. A tough trip getting there (15 hours due to flight delays and three flight legs . . . I have a history of hard travel experiences). But easy coming back, thankfully. One of the papers I attended was on the theology of...