Category: Bible Insights

Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.

God is the Shepherd

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 15, 2009

In the fourth word picture for God, we consider the common image of God as the good shepherd and we as his sheep.

God, as the good shepherd, is caring, protective, patient, brave, wise, sacrificial, and most significantly, knows us by name.

Sheep, are known as being not too intelligent, easily getting into trouble and frequently needing to be rescued, but they do know the voice of the shepherd, usually going to him when he calls.

(See A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 for a more in-depth and insightful consideration of this word picture.)

[Psalm 119:176, Isaiah 53:6, Ezekiel 34:11, Matthew 9:36, John 10:3, John 10:15, John 10:27, 1 Peter 2:25]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Tags psalm, sheep, shepherd, word pictures

Bible Insights

God as a Hen

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 13, 2009

Jesus Gathers Us Under His Wings

A third word picture for God is found in a not too well know verse, where Jesus says that he wants to collect his people and protect them as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.

With God (specifically Jesus) as a mother hen, we are treated to a glimpse of the feminine side of God, as being safe, warm, protecting, and comforting.

We, as baby chicks, are vulnerable, possibly scared, and in need of what the “hen” provides. Yet if we don’t come to the hen (God), we miss out on what she (Jesus) has to offer.

[Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34, Psalm 91:4, Psalm 57:1]

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Tags Jesus, word pictures

Bible Insights

God as a Potter

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 11, 2009

…And We Are the Clay

The Bible contains many word pictures that help us to understand better our relationship with God. I have eight of them that I will share in the coming days.

Note that each offers but a partial picture into God’s character and none is all-encompassing, but they are highly illustrative. Here is the first:

God is a potter and we are the clay.

He molds us and makes us into whatever he wishes, sometimes into elegant vessels and others into common utensils. From this, we can see God portrayed as being in control, creative, a craftsman, a workman, and sovereign.

God’s sovereignty, is something that is not too popular in today’s world.

Correspondingly, we, as clay, are moldable, subject to his will and pleasure; we have no real will of our own.

[Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 18:6, Isaiah 29:16, Isaiah 45:9, Romans 9:21]

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Tags creation, sovereign, word pictures

Bible Insights

Omni God

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 9, 2009

3 Attributes of God

There are three words that are commonly used to describe God; they all begin with “omni.”

Omnipresent

Present everywhere simultaneously

Omnipotent

Unlimited power or authority

Omniscient

Total knowledge; knowing everything

The prefix “omni” means all, so the three “omni” words that reveal God’s character and nature, succinctly tell us that

God is all present, all powerful, and all knowing.

God’s “omni” nature surely provides something us something to ponder.

In some translations of the Bible, the word omnipotent is found in Revelation 19:6, but most versions use the word “almighty” instead. Almighty, in referring to God’s character, occurs hundreds of times in the Bible.

The other two “omni” words are not directly found in the Bible, but are implied.

Omnipresent is described in Jeremiah 23:23-24 and Proverbs 15:3, among others, while

Omniscient is described in Matthew 6:32, Romans 8:27, 1 John 3:20 and others.

Also see “The Implications of Omnipresence,” “The Implications of Omniscience,” and “The Implications of Omnipotence” for more thoughts on this.

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Tags omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient

Bible Insights

Let’s Not Dismiss the Apocrypha

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 8, 2009

Let’s Not Dismiss the Apocrypha

New information is added to A Bible A Day, seemingly on a weekly basis. These new entries are not normally noted here, though they are listed on the home page of the site.

Only the more notable additions merit special mention.

The first group of Apocrypha books have been included in A Bible A Day.

These are Old Testament writings that are not included in the Jewish and Protestant Bibles, but are part of the Roman Catholic Bible and others.

They are Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch.

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Tags Apocrypha, Maccabees, Roman Catholic

Bible Insights

Praying For Our Daily Bread

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 7, 2009

Jesus Said to Pray For Our Daily Bread

When the Israelites left Egypt, they spent 40 years in the desert before proceeding on to the land God had promised them. During this time, God miraculously gave them food each day, which they called manna.

All they needed to do was go out in the morning and pick it up off the ground.

What is interesting is that they were told not to stockpile it and save it for the next day (except on the sixth day, when they were to gather enough for the seventh day, as well).

Regardless of how much each person gathered, he or she had enough to eat. However, if they tried to save some for the next day it would spoil (Exodus 16:14-21).

Does this daily provision of food sound a bit familiar?

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, one of phrases was “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 or Luke 11:3).

Of course, for most of us, the daily provision of food is something that we give little thought to. However, on a spiritual level, we do stand in need of other things on a daily basis.

This might be making God-honoring decisions, using our time wisely, not wasting money and using it for good and not selfish purposes, or making sure we spend time with God.

Regardless of the situation, be our need physical or spiritual, the lesson to be learned is to rely on God for what we need each day.

Rather it be a literal plea or a figurative request, we all need to say, “Give us today our daily bread.”

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Tags desert, Jesus, pray

Bible Insights

Their Eyes Were Opened

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 1, 2009

Open Your Eyes and See

In the Bible, Doctor Luke records the interesting account of two disciples forlornly walking down the road after Jesus’ death—and after hearing the incredible report that he is no longer dead. They are confused and dismayed.

Things with Jesus didn’t turn out as they expected—or wanted. What did it all mean? What were they to do next?

Then a third person joins them on their journey, asking what they are discussing. They relate the recent events. Then the stranger begins explaining what it all means—and how it was all predicted long before by the prophets.

Fascinated by what he is sharing, they invite him to supper, at which time “their eyes are opened” and they realize it is Jesus!

This idea also occurs much earlier in the Bible, in fact in Genesis. As soon as Adam and Eve did precisely what they had been told not to do, their eyes were also opened—and they realize that they are naked.

Just as our eyes can be opened to the knowledge that we don’t measure up to God’s standard, our eyes can also be opened up to Jesus as the solution.

Are your eyes open?

[Luke 24:13-35 and Genesis 3:1-7]

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Tags Adam and Eve, Jesus

Bible Insights

Are You in Debt?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 7, 2009

The Debt of Love

The Bible says, “Let no debt remain outstanding.” That is sage advice for any time, but especially in these troubled economic conditions.

Debt, in general, and bad debt, specifically, has gotten our economy into trouble, threatening to hold us down for the long term.

However, that’s not really what this verse is talking about. You see, I stopped too soon. Had I continued, I would have read, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”

Wow, that puts things in a different perspective. Do you have a debt of love? That is one debt that can never be repaid. We can—and should—be making regular payments, but paying it off is never truly possible.

We “owe” love to each other. Let’s make sure that paying back that debt—every day.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Romans 11-13, and today’s post is on Romans 13:8.]

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Bible Insights

Jesus and the Fig Tree

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 20, 2009

The One About the Fig Tree

Have you ever heard the story about Jesus and the fig tree?

Jesus is heading into Jerusalem and is hungry. Seeing a fig tree, he searches its foliage for something to eat. Finding nothing, he seems to get a tad irritated, declaring that it will never again produce fruit.

The fig tree withers and his disciples are amazed.

Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach them about praying in faith. [Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 20-26]

I agree with that lesson; it is astonishing, remarkable, and encouraging.

However, I also have a secondary thought about this story. The purpose of the fig tree is to produce fruit.

When Jesus finds no fruit, he dismisses it and the tree dies; his disciples say that he cursed it. As followers of Jesus, we are also supposed to bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, will Jesus dismiss us as well?

This is a sobering thought and one that is reinforced when Jesus says that he is a vine, we are his branches, and he cuts off all branches that don’t bear fruit. [John 15:1-8]

If this leaves you a bit flummoxed, balance this concern with the assurance, found in the next verse, that Jesus loves us. [John 15:9]

So, pray in faith, produce fruit, and know that you are loved!

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Tags faith, Jesus, love, pray

Bible Insights

Naaman Overcomes his Pride

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 19, 2009

The Bible includes the story of Naaman, an Aramean army commander, who has leprosy (at the time, a contagious skin disease). His Jewish servant girl suggests that he go and see Elisha, in Israel, to be healed.

Naaman eagerly goes, but feels slighted by Elisha, who doesn’t even bother to greet his powerful visitor, instead sending a servant with the simple message to wash seven times in the river to be healed.

Naaman is not used to being treated that way; he storms off in a huff. He wanted attention. Instead he expected that a grand and glorious display of power would be given to bring about his healing.

Fortunately, the cooler head of another of his servants prevails, essentially saying, “Don’t be proud; you have nothing to lose.”

Naaman agrees. He performs the humble task of washing himself in the river—and God heals him!

Sometimes when we ask for God’s help, we expect one thing, but he provides an unexpected response. What do we do then, stomp off in a huff or dutifully follow God’s instructions?

In Naaman’s case, he had to humble himself before receiving God’s reward. We should not be surprised when we must do the same.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is 2 Kings 5-7, and today’s post is on 2 Kings 5.]

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Tags heal, Naaman, pride