{"id":3805,"date":"2014-05-03T22:32:07","date_gmt":"2014-05-03T16:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=3805"},"modified":"2023-11-16T17:59:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T23:59:06","slug":"torture-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=3805","title":{"rendered":"Torture, Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don\u2019t want to leave the impression<\/a> that I am so perfected in love<\/a> that I never fear punishment<\/a>.[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I\u2019m a creature of habit.\u00a0 The possibility that God is punishing me for something is the first thing that comes to mind whenever it seems that things aren\u2019t going my way.\u00a0 What I\u2019m saying is, I think that is a bad habit.\u00a0 If I trust Him instead of reacting in fear I find that, though things aren\u2019t going my way, the way they are going is just as good if not better than my way (though comparing and contrasting actual events with my imagination or fears is a dubious occupation at best).<\/p>\n

<\/a>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life<\/i>,[2]<\/sup><\/a> the 23rd<\/sup> Psalm<\/a> ends.\u00a0 That translation sounded like what I thought I \u201cknew.\u201d\u00a0 God\u2019s goodness and mercy would follow in the train of my glory, confirming my virtue, if and only if I kept the law.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t, not so much.\u00a0 So I didn\u2019t expect (though I sometimes still hoped for) God\u2019s goodness and mercy.\u00a0 It was only later after his goodness and mercy hunted me down, tackled me to the ground and held me there that I began to see it and Him for who He is. \u00a0Later I learned that the verse was badly translated.\u00a0 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days<\/i>,[3]<\/sup><\/a> is much more to the point.[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The rabbis who translated the Septuagint<\/a> chose \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03b9\u03ce\u03be\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03af,[5]<\/sup><\/a> follow hard upon, pursue closely<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n

The desktop image on the computer I use most often to study the Bible is a frame from Lars Von Trier\u2019s<\/a> \u201cAntichrist<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0 She<\/a><\/i> is on her side, facing away from us, recovering from the trauma of snipping off her clitoris.\u00a0 Her \u201cfamiliars,\u201d the three beggars,\u00a0wait patiently beside her.\u00a0 She had an oracle that someone would die when they arrived.\u00a0 In a few moments her husband will fulfill that oracle<\/a>, crushing her larynx to silence the voice that spoke of an evil he rejected as implausible<\/a>, and finally choking the life out of the woman he claimed to love.\u00a0 This image by contrast reminds me of the Sunday<\/a> I didn\u2019t cut off my penis, and the different way I heard two passages of Scripture before and after that intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew 18:8, 9 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Romans 6:3-6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. \u00a0It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. \u00a0And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. \u00a0It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into fiery hell.<\/td>\nOr do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? \u00a0Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. \u00a0For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. \u00a0We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Before that Sunday, though they may have seemed harsh, Jesus\u2019 words recorded by Matthew (and Mark<\/a>,[6]<\/sup><\/a>) didn\u2019t seem out of line when compared to a hero of the faith<\/a>[7]<\/sup><\/a> like Jephthah<\/a> who sacrificed his daughter<\/a> to keep his oath.\u00a0 And surely Paul\u2019s words were metaphorical, a figure of speech, not to be taken literally.\u00a0 After that Sunday I began to perceive cutting off my penis, or a hand or a foot as hyperbole, but being buried with<\/i> [Christ] through baptism into death<\/i> as the literal truth. \u00a0And to this day I\u2019m not sure how to justify that opinion from the texts themselves apart from the (now obvious) fact that my hand or my foot, or even my penis, never causes (\u03c3\u03ba\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03b6\u03b5\u03b9, a form of \u03c3\u03ba\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03b6\u03c9<\/a>; or, entices<\/i>) me to sin.<\/p>\n

<\/a>I introduce the story of the rich man and Lazarus[8]<\/sup><\/a> this way despite my sense that its context indicates reasonably clearly that it is not to be taken too literally.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 illustration which precedes it of an unrighteous manager cheating his master\/employer was certainly not a recommendation of good business practice.\u00a0 His points were two: 1) the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light<\/i>;[9]<\/sup><\/a> and 2) make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth<\/i> [one\u2019s own presumably<\/a>[10]<\/sup><\/a> rather than someone else\u2019s], so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes<\/i>.[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>In Mark\u2019s Gospel account Jesus\u2019 was quoted, saying, \u201cHow hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!\u201d \u00a0The disciples were astonished at these words.\u00a0 But again Jesus said to them, \u201cChildren, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!<\/i>[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 disciples were not contemporary socialists who assumed that the rich were swindlers and thieves who took whatever they had from the poor and working classes.\u00a0 Their astonished question, \u201cThen who can be saved?\u201d<\/i>[13]<\/sup><\/a> indicates to me they believed that the rich were blessed by God, that their wealth was a sign of his approval and favor.\u00a0 And I assume they believed this because their religious teachers believed and taught it.\u00a0 Jesus said (Luke 16:13, 14 NET):<\/p>\n

\u201cNo servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. \u00a0You cannot serve God and money.\u201d \u00a0The Pharisees (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed him.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is the audience for, and the immediate context of, the story of a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen<\/i>\u2026who feasted sumptuously every day.\u00a0 But at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus whose body was covered with sores, who longed to eat what fell from the rich man\u2019s table.\u00a0 In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores<\/i>.[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In other words,\u00a0Lazarus was \u201ccursed\u201d by God.<\/p>\n

Both men died.\u00a0 The rich man in hell<\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u1fc3, a form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2<\/a>), as he was in torment<\/i> (\u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2, a form of \u03b2\u03ac\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>),\u2026looked up and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side<\/i>.[17]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Hell<\/i> is not \u03b3\u03ad\u03b5\u03bd\u03bd\u03b1<\/a> here but \u1f85\u03b4\u1fc3, Hades.\u00a0 Peter quoted a Psalm in his first sermon after receiving the Holy Spirit: Therefore my heart was glad<\/a> and my tongue rejoiced; my body also will live in hope, because you will not leave my soul in Hades<\/a><\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2), nor permit your Holy One to experience decay<\/i>.[18]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The rabbis who translated the Septuagint<\/a> chose \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd for Sheol<\/i> (she<\/sup>\u02bc\u00f4l<\/a><\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Peter (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Blue Letter Bible (Septuagint)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Parallel Greek Text (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u2026because you will not leave my soul in Hades,<\/i><\/b> nor permit your Holy One to experience<\/i><\/b> decay<\/b>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Acts 2:27 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03b3\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03b5\u03af\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03c8\u03c5\u03c7\u03ae\u03bd \u03bc\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03b4\u1f72 \u03b4\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f45\u03c3\u03b9\u03cc\u03bd \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f30\u03b4\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac\u03bd<\/p>\n

Psalm 16:10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03b3\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03b5\u03af\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03c8\u03c5\u03c7\u03ae\u03bd \u03bc\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03b4\u1f72 \u03b4\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f45\u03c3\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f30\u03b4\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac\u03bd.<\/p>\n

Acts 2:27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>David by foreseeing this<\/i>, Peter explained, spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that<\/i> he<\/a> was neither<\/a> abandoned<\/a> to Hades<\/a><\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2), nor<\/a> did his body experience<\/i> decay<\/i>.[19]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0Jesus said: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?\u00a0 No, you will be thrown down to Hades<\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u03bf\u03c5, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2)![20]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades<\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u03bf\u03c5, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2) will not overpower it<\/i>.[21]<\/sup><\/a> Do not be afraid!\u00a0 I am the first and the last, and the one who lives!\u00a0 I was dead, but look, now I am alive \u2013 forever and ever \u2013 and I hold the keys of death and of Hades<\/i> (\u1f85\u03b4\u03bf\u03c5, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2)![22]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Three more times in Revelation (6:8<\/a>; 20:13<\/a>, 14<\/a>) Hades was personified (\u1f41\u00a0 \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2).\u00a0 The NET translators only translated Hades as hell<\/i> in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, which is progress.[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Of course, they also translated \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 torment<\/i>.\u00a0 It was translated afflictions<\/i> the only other place it occurs outside of the story of the rich man and Lazarus:\u00a0 Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. \u00a0So a report about him spread throughout Syria. \u00a0People brought to him all who suffered with various illnesses and afflictions<\/i> (\u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2, a form of \u03b2\u03ac\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2), those who had seizures, paralytics, and those possessed by demons, and he healed them<\/i>.[24]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Perhaps they had good reason, for the rich man called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish<\/i> (\u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9<\/a>) in this fire<\/i> (\u03c6\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f76, a form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be<\/a>).[26]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>The rich man was clearly thirsty, but was he in anguish in hell?\u00a0 After the twelve-year-old Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem for three days, listening to<\/i> [the teachers] and asking them questions<\/i>,[27]<\/sup><\/a> His mother<\/i> said to him, \u201cChild, why have you treated us like this?\u00a0 Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously<\/i> (\u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ce\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, a form of \u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9).\u201d[28]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0And the Ephesian elders were especially saddened<\/i> (\u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ce\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, a form of \u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9) by what<\/i> [Paul] had said, that they were not going to see him again<\/i>.[29]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But the rich man was in this fire<\/i> (\u03c6\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f76, a form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be), surely that must mean he was being tortured in hell.<\/p>\n

After forty years had passed<\/i>, Luke recounted Stephen\u2019s history lesson, an angel appeared to him in the desert<\/i> of Mount Sinai, in the flame <\/i>(\u03c6\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f76, a form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be) of a burning <\/i>(\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1<\/a>) bush<\/i>.[30]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0Other writers used forms of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be as follows.\u00a0 The writer of Hebrews\u00a0quoted,\u00a0He makes<\/i><\/b> his angels spirits and his ministers <\/i><\/b>(\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, a form of \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03cc\u03c2<\/a>) a flame <\/i><\/b>(\u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03b1, another form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be) of fire<\/i><\/b>[31]<\/sup><\/a> (\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1).<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 Another form of \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03cc\u03c2 was translated authorities<\/i> in, For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities<\/i> (\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03bf\u1f76) are God\u2019s servants devoted to governing<\/i>.[32]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul was a minister <\/i>(\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u1f78\u03bd, another form of \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03cc\u03c2) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles<\/i> who served the gospel of God like a priest<\/i>.[33]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Epaphroditus was my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister<\/i> (\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u1f78\u03bd) to me in my need<\/i>,[34]<\/sup><\/a> Paul wrote the Philippians.<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 head and hair were as white as wool<\/i>, in John\u2019s vision on Patmos, even as white as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery <\/i>(\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1) flame <\/i>(\u03c6\u03bb\u1f78\u03be),[35]<\/sup><\/a> and, His eyes are like a fiery <\/i>(\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1) flame<\/i> (\u03c6\u03bb\u1f78\u03be).[36]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0Jesus described Himself as the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery <\/i>(\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1) flame <\/i>(\u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03b1, another form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be) <\/i><\/b>and whose feet are like polished bronze<\/i>.[37]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Paul wrote however, With flaming <\/i>(\u03c6\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03cc\u03c2, another form of \u03c6\u03bb\u03cc\u03be) fire <\/i>(\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f76, another form of \u03c0\u1fe6\u03c1) he will mete out<\/i> punishment <\/i>(\u1f10\u03ba\u03b4\u03af\u03ba\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03ba\u03b4\u03af\u03ba\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>) on those who do not know God<\/i> and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus<\/a><\/i>.[38]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Perhaps that was why the rich man was in anguish<\/i> in this fire<\/i>.<\/p>\n

But Abraham said, \u201cChild, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish<\/i> (\u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9, another form of \u1f40\u03b4\u03c5\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9).\u201d[39]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So was the rich man simply thirsty and anxious or saddened because he and Lazarus and the Pharisees and Jesus\u2019 disciples expected him to be blessed and favored by God?\u00a0 If he had been hardened as one of the objects of wrath prepared for destruction<\/i>[40]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0why didn\u2019t he blaspheme the name of God like those who were tossed<\/i>\u2026into the great winepress<\/a> of the wrath of God<\/i>?[41]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Thus people were scorched by the terrible heat, yet they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory<\/i>.[42]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their sufferings and because of their sores, but nevertheless they still refused to repent of their deeds<\/i>.[43]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And gigantic hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people, but they blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it was so horrendous<\/i>.[44]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Granted, the rich man didn\u2019t exactly repent either, though I\u2019m not entirely clear how he might have repented of receiving good things in his lifetime, the stated reason why he was in anguish, anxious or saddened in a flame like the burning bush, one of God\u2019s ministers or the fiery eyes of Jesus. \u00a0But when he couldn\u2019t get any water from Abraham or Lazarus because a great chasm<\/i> had been fixed between<\/i>[45]<\/sup><\/a> them, he still didn\u2019t blaspheme God.\u00a0 \u201cThen I beg you, father\u201d, <\/i>he said, \u201csend Lazarus to my father\u2019s house (for I have five brothers) to warn them so that they don\u2019t come into this place of torment<\/i> (\u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5, a form of \u03b2\u03ac\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2; or affliction<\/i>).\u201d<\/i>[46]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And here Abraham delivered the first of Jesus\u2019 two points to this illustration: 1) They have Moses and the prophets; they must respond to them.<\/i>[47]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

In other words Moses and the prophets delivered the same message as Jesus, according to Jesus.\u00a0 Then the rich man said, \u201cNo, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.\u201d<\/i>[48]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Again, Abraham spoke Jesus\u2019 second point to this illustration: 2) If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead\u201d<\/i>[49]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/i>And these two points serve his major point that what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God\u2019s sight<\/i>.[50]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In other words, while the rich man\u2019s appearance (dressed in purple and fine linen\u2026<\/i>[feasting] sumptuously every day<\/i>) may have impressed other people (You are the ones who justify yourselves in men\u2019s eyes<\/i>, Jesus told the Pharisees), God was not so impressed (but God knows your hearts<\/i>).[51]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

And in that flame like the burning bush, one of the ministers of God or Jesus\u2019 fiery eyes the rich man reconsidered his wasted life (Psalm 139:7, 8 NET).<\/p>\n

Where can I go to escape your spirit?\u00a0 Where can I flee to escape your presence?\u00a0 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there.\u00a0 If I were to sprawl out in Sheol [Septuagint<\/a>: \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03bd, another form of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2]<\/em> there you would be.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Who knows?\u00a0 Perhaps I\u2019m meant to take the rich man\u2019s thirst in the psalmist\u2019s sense (Psalm 42:1-5 NET):<\/p>\n

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! \u00a0I thirst for God, for the living God.\u00a0 I say, \u201cWhen will I be able to go and appear in God\u2019s presence?\u201d \u00a0I cannot eat, I weep day and night; all day long they say to me, \u201cWhere is your God?\u201d \u00a0I will remember and weep!\u00a0 For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God, shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival. \u00a0Why are you depressed, O my soul?\u00a0 Why are you upset?\u00a0 Wait for God!\u00a0 For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
Back to Romans, Part 53<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 54<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Who Am I? Part 4<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 5<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 89<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Father, Forgive Them, Part 3<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to The Lost Son of Perdition, Part 8<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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<\/a>[1]<\/sup> 1 John 4:18 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Psalm 23:6a (KJV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[3]<\/sup> Psalm 23:6a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[4]<\/sup> The note<\/a> in the NET reads: \u201cThe use of \u05e8\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e3 (radaf, \u2018pursue, chase\u2019) with \u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b8\u05d7\u05b6\u05e1\u05b6\u05d3 (tov vakhesed, \u2018goodness and faithfulness\u2019) as subject is ironic. This is the only place in the entire OT where either of these nouns appears as the subject of this verb \u05e8\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e3 (radaf, \u2018pursue\u2019). This verb is often used to describe the hostile actions of enemies. One might expect the psalmist\u2019s enemies (see v 5) to chase him, but ironically God\u2019s \u2018goodness and faithfulness\u2019 (which are personified and stand by metonymy for God himself) pursue him instead. The word \u2018pursue\u2019 is used outside of its normal context in an ironic manner and creates a unique, but pleasant word picture of God\u2019s favor (or a kind God) \u2018chasing down\u2019 the one whom he loves.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Psalm 23:6 (Study Bible)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Mark 9:43-48 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[7]<\/sup> Hebrews 11:32-34 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[8]<\/sup> Luke 16:19-31 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[9]<\/sup> Luke 16:8b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Luke 16:10b (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Luke 16:9 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[12]<\/sup> Mark 10:23, 24 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Mark 10:26b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Luke 16:19-21 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[17]<\/sup> Luke 16:23 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[18]<\/sup> Acts 2:26, 27 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[19]<\/sup> Acts 2:31 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[20]<\/sup> Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[21]<\/sup> Matthew 16:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[22]<\/sup> Revelation 1:17b, 18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[23]<\/sup> The King James translators chose hell<\/i> for every instance of \u1f85\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2. Addendum<\/strong> 2\/11\/2022: The current version of the NET has Hades<\/em> rather than hell<\/em> in Luke 16:23.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[24]<\/sup> Matthew 4:23, 24 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Luke 16:24 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Luke 2:46 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[28]<\/sup> Luke 2:48b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[29]<\/sup> Acts 20:38 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[30]<\/sup> Acts 7:30 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[31]<\/sup> Hebrews 1:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[32]<\/sup> Romans 13:6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[33]<\/sup> Romans 15:16 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[34]<\/sup> Philippians 2:25 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[35]<\/sup> Revelation 1:14 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[36]<\/sup> Revelation 19:12 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[37]<\/sup> Revelation 2:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[38]<\/sup> 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[39]<\/sup> Luke 16:25 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[40]<\/sup> Romans 9:22 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[41]<\/sup> Revelation 14:19 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[42]<\/sup> Revelation 16:9 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[43]<\/sup> Revelation 16:11 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[44]<\/sup> Revelation 16:21 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[45]<\/sup> Luke 16:26 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[46]<\/sup> Luke 16:27, 28 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[47]<\/sup> Luke 16:29 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[48]<\/sup> Luke 16:30 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[49]<\/sup> Luke 16:31 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[50]<\/sup> Luke 16:15b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[51]<\/sup> Luke 16:15a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I don\u2019t want to leave the impression that I am so perfected in love that I never fear punishment.[1]\u00a0 I\u2019m a creature of habit.\u00a0 The possibility that God is punishing me for something is the first thing that comes to … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2719,2223],"tags":[2453,2436,2437,2445,2446,2447,2459,2434,2435,2442,2525,1068,2455,2456,2457,2458,2431,2432,2443,2444,2433,2415,2438,2439,2430,2441,1709,2450,2460,2429,2461,2451,2440,2454,2229,2230,2228,2452,2084,2448,2449,30,1384],"class_list":["post-3805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-section-three","category-torture","tag-2-thessalonians-18","tag-acts-226-27","tag-acts-231","tag-acts-2038","tag-acts-730","tag-hebrews-17","tag-luke-1615","tag-luke-1619-21","tag-luke-1623","tag-luke-1624","tag-luke-1625","tag-luke-1626","tag-luke-1627-28","tag-luke-1629","tag-luke-1630","tag-luke-1631","tag-luke-168","tag-luke-169","tag-luke-246","tag-luke-248","tag-mark-1023-24","tag-mark-1026","tag-matthew-1123","tag-matthew-1618","tag-matthew-188-9","tag-matthew-423-24","tag-movies-antichrist","tag-philippians-225","tag-psalm-1397-8","tag-psalm-236","tag-psalm-421-5","tag-revelation-114","tag-revelation-117-18","tag-revelation-1419","tag-revelation-1611","tag-revelation-1621","tag-revelation-169","tag-revelation-1912","tag-revelation-218","tag-romans-136","tag-romans-1516","tag-romans-63-6","tag-romans-922"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3805"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22230,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3805\/revisions\/22230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}