Tag: bible

Version Comparison Zechariah 13:6

THE JPS TANAKH-1917 (Hebrew Bible) is recognized as the most authoritative and preferred English translation of the Hebrew Bible according to The Jewish Publication Society.  For almost a century this has been the prominent English version of the Hebrew Bible.  In it Zechariah 13:6 reads, ” And one shall say unto him: ‘What are these wounds between thy hands?’ Then he shall answer: ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’”

  • The King James reads:

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

  • The Holman Christian Standard Bible reads:

If someone asks him: What are these wounds on your chest?—then he will answer: I received the wounds in the house of my friends.

  • The American Standard Bible reads:

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds between thine arms? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

  • English Standard Version

And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’ he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

  • Contemporary English Version

And if any of them are asked why they are wounded, they will answer, “It happened at the house of some friends.”

This verse and the context which comes with it, is a clear prophecy to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  In fact the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus refers to Zechariah 13:7 when he says, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” (Matthew 26:31).  This pointing to the crucifixion is clearly indicated in the Hebrew Tanakh (1917) and in the King James Version.  However, as we can see with these few samples above, almost every modern translation fails to show the piercing of the hands.  This is an important part of the gospel.  So important that God mentions it more than in just this passage.

  • “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” (Psalm 22:16).
  • My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. (Job 30:17)
  • And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)

Is this not how the serpent beguiled Eve?  By taking what God said and twisting it into something similar; but not the truth?  Tell me again how it doesn’t matter what translation you are using. How they all say the same thing.  Because these do not say the same thing.  Were his wounds on his hands, his chest, somewhere between the arms, on his back, or just some unmentioned location (as in the CEV)? This removes one of the most important prophecies concerning the method in which the messiah would suffer.

I will stick with the King James Version.

H.R.6090 – Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023

My dear friends. This is not the normal kind of post that I put on this site. However, I think that there are some forces working underhandedly in the world. These forces would strip us of our Christian rights to worship and also to possess a Holy Bible. They know that a straight out attack on Christianity has never worked in the past, and have moved to more subtle approaches. One of which is a progressive warming of the waters to a slow boil. If you have heard of the analogy that a frog will jump from a boiling pot of water, but he will stay an die in a pot that is slowly heated until it boils him alive. This is the tactic I am speaking of. The changing of a definition. Making it unbinding so no one will care how it is worded. Then later accept the poorly written definition as an accepted policy. Now make the policy a law. This is what is happening right before your eyes.

There is a bill that is silently making its way through Congress.  It has already passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting its vote in the Senate.  If this bill is passed, it will potentially change the face of Christianity in the US and consequently in the world.  This has been a slow multistep progression to silence Christianity in the US and to make the Bible illegal in the US.  It made a non-binding definition that was made in Bucharest, Romania a policy of the US State Department.  Now this legislation will arm the federal government against Christians in the US.

HR 6090 “Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023” made the State Departments “Defining of Antisemitism” policy, which is based on the Bucharest, May 2016, unbinding definition of antisemitism, into a criminal offense.    This is declared in Sec. 4 Definitions of ZHR 6090.  Where it reads,

“For purposes of this Act, the term “definition of antisemitism”—

(1) means the definition of antisemitism adopted on May 26, 2016, by the IHRA, of which the United States is a member, which definition has been adopted by the Department of State; and

(2) includes the “[c]ontemporary examples of antisemitism” identified in the IHRA definition.” (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6090/text)

I am not anti-Semitic, and I think that the Jews should be free of oppression, and allowed to live free of harm, just like any other people.  I believe that God has not abandoned them and that he is working actively in the life of Israel to restore his people and blesses those who bless them, and curses those who curse them.  However, in this referred to definition, the US Congress makes Christians into criminals, and so opens the door for corporate persecution of Christians in the US and in the world. 

The referred to definition in HR 6090 is the one adopted by the US State Department that includes the following line in it’s definition.  

Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis. (US Department of State) Defining Antisemitism https://www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/)

That would make such scripture and the preaching here on a hate crime.  This sharing or maybe even just having a Bible that reads the following from Acts and 1 Thessalonians could put you in danger of the government.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (Acts 4:10).

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: (1 Thessalonians 2:14-15).

I know that there are some Arians who use these verses to bring violence against the Jewish people.  It is wrong and should be stood up against.  However, this bill and definition also says that the Jewish people should not be held accountable for the actions of one or even a few Jewish people or activists, so the Christians should not be held accountable for a few cultic followers or activists. 

The thing about this bill is that in it’s definition, it refers to a definition that is outside of the bill itself.  It is even a definition that is not under the scrutiny of any US legislation.  So as the international community may change the definition, the definition would automatically be changed in the US legal system.  How foolish is this?  On the face this legislation is something that most lawmakers would want to sign their name to.  Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a bill that stands up for the oppressed and the needy, the wrongly accused through history.  Every Jewish and Christian legislature would love to have their name on this document.  However, would they have done the homework and looked at the source of the definition, then the Christian representative would have seen that in voting for this, they vote away their own freedom of religion, and the freedom of speech would be stripped from every pulpit in America.  

I say that if such a bill is to be passed there should be some changes first. (1) The applicable definition should be fully defined within the bill itself, and not refer to an outside document, especial not an international document. (2) Provisions should be given to protect other religious texts and speech that also allow protection for the Jewish community.

Please contact your US Senator to at least have them do the research into the definition of the bill and to see it they would still support such a piece of legislation.  There are ways to protect the Jewish members of our society against Antisemitism without criminalizing other religious groups.  I just do not fee this bill is what it claims itself to be.

Once again I believe and affirm that the descendants of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and King David are the blessed and chosen people of God, and that they should be protected.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3)

Let us find a good way to bless the people of God. Let us help Israel have true peace. Pray for the peace of Israel. Stand in defense of Israel. Share the hope in Jesus Christ with Israel.

Psalm 73 – It is Good to Draw Close to the Lord God

Psalm 73 starts the 3rd book of the Psalms.  It is a Psalm of Asaph.  It discusses the prosperity of the wicked, the chastening of the righteous, and God’s view of wickedness.  It is easy for us to overlook the goodness of God in our lives.  This is because what we think is good to have and to be like, and how to be treated is based on the things we see around us and are taught of in this worldly like. 

Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com

1 (A Psalm of Asaph.) Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

So when we see the wicked prosper and how quickly they are rewarded for their evil works, we can become envious of their lifestyles.  We see the corruption of the politicians who mock God and steal from the poor and line their pockets, openly violating the laws and yet there seems to be no consequences, no justice. They speak evil of God and of holy things, and yet they are not punished.  Their violence is rewarded with great plunder at the cost of the lives of the weak and defenseless.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

It seems that the righteous have sanctified themselves in vain.  The righteous are plagued and chastised continuously. They are mocked by the corrupted.  Victimized by the aggressors and the sinful.  In turning the other check the Christian is often forced to face humiliation, physical harm, emotional distress, and even death. When scripture says to present ourselves a living sacrifice, it is often very literal. For the ones who look at the world and how the wicked prosper it seems futile to remain chased. There seems to be no point in remaining innocent of blood.  If the payment for sin is so lucrative, then what is the downside? However, when we turn our eyes away from the world and look to the Lord, we see his sanctuary.  This is a place of rest, and security.  It is a place of safety.

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

For God does not see the exploits of the wicked in the same manner as the world does.  The Lord tell us in Proverbs, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). The lifestyle that the wicked live in is a slippery slope that only leads to destruction. The very things that they are rewarded with are temporary. They lead them astray, and give them false confidences. The Word of the Lord again states, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” (Proverbs 23:4). The wicked are blinded by their own desires. When they finally see their end, it is too late.  We see that the Lord does not reward them, he despises the wickedness of their hearts. He leaves them to their own ends. Their end is death eternal. This is the fate of the wicked as recorded in Revelation 21:8 – “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

But the ones who seek righteousness.  They are filled through the steady leading of the LORD. For he does chastise in order to correct in love.  His chastisement brings wisdom, in the fear of the LORD and the working of his hands.  When his flesh is tired and worn out, the LORD is his strength to continue on the way of righteousness, which delivers him from the wrath of God.  This grooming by the Lord God is what brings a man to Jesus Christ the righteous. Those who see the value of the sacrifice made for them by the death, burial, and resurrections of Jesus Christ have this righteousness imputed to them. So this very chastisement is a sanctuary protecting us and causing us to continue in righteousness. It keep us close to the heart of God. But those who do not listen to the chastisement of the LORD, they are far from him. They do not fear him. They do not seek his righteousness in Jesus Christ. Instead they follow the god of this world. Instead of seeking eternal peace with God they seek the temporary rewards of this dying world. Scripture calls them idolaters, adulterers who whore themselves out to Satan. All those who whore themselves after the god of this world, they “shall perish”.  So as Asaph declares, “it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust it the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”. God has provided a pardon and dismissal of your unrighteousness in Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ. This is the declaration of the work of God. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)