Remember that flaming sword mentioned in Genesis 3.24?
“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.”
The Bible frequently makes use of analogies to describe supernatural realities. By examining the precise grammar and vocabulary of Genesis 3:24, it’s discovered that the “sword” may not be describing a literal sword, but perhaps a self-animated phenomenon. Of sorts. It had light, energy, and some serious spatial awareness. Let’s dive into the passage a little deeper.
Here is what the text suggests this barrier really looked like.
A Living Sword
The word translated as “placed” or “stationed” is shakan. It literally means “to tabernacle” or “to permanently dwell.” This is the exact root word used later for the Shekinah—the physical cloud of God’s presence. The phraseology indicates that the barrier was not a temporary guard shift– it was a permanent install. Based on this, we can assume that it was stationed there until the flood eventually destroyed the garden.
Flames
The word “flaming” is lahat, and it appears unique in this form. While it primarily means a brilliant blaze or flash, its root delivers one succulent secondary connotation of being wrapped or operating as an “enchantment.” This sounds more like a lit barrier of light that obscured the path to the Tree of Life. It would have also been physically threatening any fools attempting to intrude.
Dual Security
In Hebrew grammar, the “flaming sword” is not explicitly held by the cherubim. The sentence describes them as two distinct entities. God stationed the cherubim AND the flaming sword. They operated in tandem as some kind of dual defense team.
What “Turned in Every Direction” Means
Maybe the most interesting phrase– “turned every way” or “turned in every direction” sounds like an angel waving a weapon back and forth. However, the Hebrew word used is hammithappeket.
Grammatically, it depicts continuous and automatic action. The sword was not being actively brandished by the angel; it was turning itself!
The root verb means to overturn, transform, or overthrow—the same word used to describe the total upside-down destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Visually, this describes an erratic, whirling, twisting fire in constant motion. It formed an impenetrable, 360-degree sphere. No matter which angles a guy tried to approach from, the barrier automatically and instantly adjusted to block the path. At the very least, we know God’s secured the garden how we’d expect Him to. Perfectly.
I know I’m not old enough to say this, but when I was younger I used to lay in bed at night and try to imagine what God looked like. I would try to put a face to Him, I’d wonder what He was doing, and I would ask myself if God knew that I was thinking about Him. I still ask those same questions to this day. I’m sure that most if not all of you who are reading this believe that there is a God, and that He does see and hear all that we say. So the question I’d like to ask is, “since there is a God that has all power, why do we sometimes have difficulty following the commands that we find in the Bible?” I’d like to look at a verse that may help us realize the importance of following what God has told us to do as Christians.
Jeremiah 10:12 says, “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.”
God has ALL power. There isn’t an area that He is lacking power in. He controls the weather, He created us, and, as Jeremiah 10:12 said, He made this earth that we live on. I believe that we sometimes forget just how powerful God truly is. Since God has all power, shouldn’t we be following what the Creator of everything has told us to do? In seven days He thought of everything we see around us. Think of it this way. We’ve never had an original thought. For example, I could say that I’m the only person to have ever thought about a pink Aardvark. But before I thought of pink Aardvarks, there was such thing as the color pink, and there were Aardvarks before I thought of them. So what I’m actually doing is taking two things that God created and putting them together. God has given us specific commands to do as Christians. Since God has given us rules on how to live, we shouldn’t have a problem following them. They may be difficult, but God knows how to take care of His creation. The thought of the God of the universe watching out and guiding me through life is a great comfort to me!
But what if we aren’t following what God has told us to do? There’s a saying that we all have heard that says, “Actions speak louder than words.” Our actions are a direct window to how we truly feel. If I don’t do what God has commanded, then that’s like us saying to God, “I don’t truly believe that there are consequences to my actions.” But that is a deadly place for us to be, because God IS real and there ARE consequences to our actions. God is real and the consequences of our actions are very real! In the end, it comes down to this: Not obeying what God has said is a reflection of how real we make God out to be. If we truly believe He is real, then we shouldn’t have a problem doing what He tells us to do. As Christians, we serve the one true God, and He is very real. I pray that this fact will push us to obey the commands He has given us because our God is alive and we all have an eternity with Him if we do what He tells us to do.
Looking back at when I was younger, I’ve realized that I asked the right question, but the most important part of those questions is how I answer them. Will I show through my actions that I truly believe He is alive? Or do I doubt the reality of God by not taking His commands seriously? Let’s try to always prove God is alive by following what He has told us to do!
John emphasized Jesus’s identity as the Word. Many ancient traditions hold that the universe was created with the spoken word 1— something slowly becoming more accepted by even scientific minds (always the last to understand or accept truths taught in religion) thanks to cymatics. The ancient concept of magic was absolutely nothing like ours today. Specific spoken words in specific tones were thought to influence reality. There is some evidence that this was practiced successfully.
Words have power. Today we limit this power to the ability to potentially induce positive or negative emotions. That words and symbols contain more than just this power should be self-evident in this era with its deluge of ads and psyops. Words have great power!
Jesus’s arrest was recorded in John 18, and when asked to identify himself, he gave the same name he used with Moses: “I am.” The simple act of speaking that name threw the mob of soldiers, guards, and religious leaders to the ground. John identified Jesus as the agent of creation, and not just the one who spoke everything into existence; Jesus is Word itself, the one whose voice wields his Father’s power. The language of creation is necessarily symbolic (our minds are too finite to comprehend a literal play-by-play), and obviously information-dense. The more we learn and discover today, the more our faith grows. When we look at what we’re able to comprehend of the meaning behind the symbols, it only reinforces the transcendent nature of the accounts.
“The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him, but the world did not know him. He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. They became God’s children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself. The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine greatness—the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth.”
1 Memphite Cosmology (Shabaka Stone), Popul Vuh, Rigveda and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, and the inspired accounts in Jn 1.1-3, Ps 33.6, 9, Gen 1.3.
The exact identity of the “wild ox” mentioned in Job 39 is unknown, but the text implies a powerful and strong beast whose strength was beyond human control.
One alternative theory is that it might just be referring to the extinct woolly rhinoceros—one of the largest mammals of the ice age.
God asks Job:
“Will the re’em be willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your manger? Can you bind the re’em in the furrow (earthen trench made by plowing) with ropes? …will you trust him because his strength is great?” (39.9-12).
Unlike oxen, rhinos have never been successfully domesticated, despite their tremendous strength. A modern rhino could easily pull half of its body weight, and they’ve used been known to use their sheer neck and shoulder strength to toss multi-ton objects, including hippos, water buffaloes, and entire cars—into the air (BBC Science Focus Mag., Top 10 Strongest Animals).
The woolly rhino was among the largest land mammals of the past. Fossil remains discovered in Russia, Germany, France, England, and Kazakhstan reveal that it grew to be 13 feet long and stood over 6 feet at the shoulder. It weighed in at around 8,000lbs and its prominent front horn has been measured at 4-6 feet in length. Preserved carcasses in the chilly permafrost of Siberia have even retained their reddish-brown fur, skin, and their last meals still sitting in their bellies.
The Greek translation of the Old Testament– or Septuagint– translates the Hebrew re’em as monokeros, meaning “one-horned.” Jerome’s Latin Vulgate translated it as rhinoceros. The translators lived far closer to the biblical world than modern readers and evidently associated the re’em with a rhino-like creature.
No woolly rhinos have ever been uncovered in the region where Job was thought to have lived (modern Palestine), however several references in Job seem to indicate the right conditions that would allow our big-horned brute to feel right at home. Some theologians date Job towards the end of the ice age—here’s a few verses used as evidence.
“Which is dark and turbid by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hidden” (6.16).
“By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast” (37.10).
“From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives birth to it? The waters harden like stone, and the surface of the deep is frozen” (38.29-30).
Is the re’em really a giant woolly rhino? There’s no way to know for certain, and since there’s no definitive answer– it makes the theory a cool one (little pun there for ya, pilgrim).
I believe that God exists. I believe that He communicated with His creation by direct contact, messengers, and a series of ancient texts. I believe that He wants His human creation to be with Him after they die. I believe that He expects those who claim to be His to act within the guidelines He set in those ancient texts. I believe that there is life after death and that where we go depends on whether or not we follow this God.
Why do I believe this, though? What reason do I have to believe in something I cannot experience with my senses? I was not there thousands of years ago when the prophets and Hebrews talked to God. I was not there when God came among men and taught. I was not there when the Spirit-inspired authors of the original texts delivered their writings to the early church. The ancient texts translated into English sometimes do not effectively communicate the emotion of the words and concepts in the original language. So why do I believe these things? Why do you believe these things?
Think about this carefully. From Genesis to Revelation the message is clear; God wants His people to exist with Him after time is destroyed. This message was communicated to an impossible variety of people, sometimes separated by hundreds of years, thousands of miles, culture, kingdom, race, and language. There are tens of thousands of manuscripts of these ancient texts in many, many different languages. There are some 25,000 New Testament manuscripts or fragments that are separated by about a thousand years, at least 8 different languages, hundreds (if not thousands) of miles of geography, and many different cultures. Yet, they are at least 95% accurate to each other. The remaining 5% do not contain a single contradiction; rather, they are spelling errors, slips of the pen, writing on the wrong line, or minor variances (“God said” vs. “He said” or “and” vs. “but”).
Of the rich libraries we have of ancient literature, none can hold even the dimmest candle to the profound accuracy and unity of the scriptures. They could not have been produced by man alone. There had to be Someone not confined by time supervising each person as they wrote. Keep in mind, these ancient cultures did not have the advantage of modern communication. They were almost totally isolated from each other and would have known little of the others’ existence, much less what they experienced or wrote from God. Our Bible has supernatural origins and its contents reveal the nature of our Creator. What I believe comes from this book because I know it is God’s message to mankind. I encourage those who have not already done so to do an in-depth study of the origin of scripture. It is one of the most faith-building studies anyone could undertake. When you know with certainty that what you are reading contains the actual thoughts and desires of God, it bolsters your faith in ways I could not begin to adequately describe.
Big question! Apparently, it is at the top of all questions people ask around the world every month, gauging from internet search engine queries. According to dailysearchvolume.com, it spikes “with cultural moments…annual reflection periods…academic calendars…and headline- driven uncertainty.” It “is timeless, cross-cultural, and frequently resurfaced by media references, classroom assignments, life transitions, and news cycles that provoke reflection.” Whether or not we use those exact words, all of us spend a lifetime with that question at the heart of everything we are and all we do.
What does the question imply?
EXISTENCE. We are alive and aware. We exist, and because we exist we want to know why. We can observe much about “life.” It is brief. It has joy and sorrow. It is not always what we want it to be and thought it would be, and we may have to overcome unexpected and adverse things. But there is no way around it. We exist. We are here.
EXPLANATION. Was it random chance? Was it an accident from a cause that did not have me in mind? An unlimited number of “what” questions drive the original question. It is consummately unsatisfying to believe or conclude that there is no answer. The result of such aimless existence is despair, depression, apathy, and a certain fatalistic emptiness, if we accept the consequences of purposeless position.
EXCLUSIVENESS. At the very least, by asking what “is” life’s meaning, we are saying that while there may be many responsibilities and lesser pursuits something is premier and preeminent. There is an ultimate meaning. Discovering and pursuing that should take center stage and demand our highest attention and investment of our basic resources (time, money, and energy). It leads us to ask, could money, pleasure, fame, or education be the answer? Yet, countless people have made that their “why” only to experience utter emptiness at the end of life.
EXPECTATION. We want an answer or we would not ask. Nobody wants to hear, “I don’t know” or “it does not matter.” Life coaches, self-help organizations, mentors, support groups, community, and endless other entities exist to fill the hole induced by our question. We believe we can find it, we want to know, and then we want to do what we can to accomplish our quest with success. We wake up each day wanting to live with significance.
What if there was a resource that seriously, meaningfully, and logically explained an exclusive purpose for our existence and shaped our expectation? It would have to be internally coherent, consistent, and consequential. What if I were to tell you that a single source fully answered the most frequently asked question people ask every day? Would you want to know more about it?
The most snow ever to accumulate from a single storm happened from February 13-19th in 1959. The storm hit Mount Shasta Ski Bowl in California with a total of 15.75 feet of snow (Guinness Book of World Records).
Snow appears only a handful of times in the Bible, but when it does, it gives the reader some powerful illustrations. In a Middle Eastern climate where snowfall was pretty rare and memorable, snow became an image to describe God’s purity, or forgiveness, and even His ultimate authority over nature.
One of the most famous references is found in Isaiah 1:18, where God declares, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.” Here, snow represents a total cleansing — a visual for guilt being completely erased. The contrast between blood-red sin and snow-white purity made the promise pop to ancient readers— and not lost on the modern reader.
Snow is also used to describe God’s control over the natural world. Job 37:6 says, “For to the snow he says, be on the earth.” Unlike modern scientific explanations, the Bible portrays snow as something that responds directly to God’s command. God established natural law and order so either way, even the most powerful weather phenomena are under divine authority.
In Psalm 147:16, snow becomes a symbol of provision, with a little mystery: “He gives snow like wool.” The comparison to wool is referring to the softness and abundance. The point? That which seems harsh and cold is still part of God’s sustaining design.
Even the terrifying becomes symbolic. When Moses’ hand turns leprous in Exodus 4:6, it is described as “white as snow,” and this really makes that cleansing of sin stand out more. Instead of being left with a disease as white as snow, we’re sanctified and made clean, like snow.
Throughout Scripture, snow is used as a powerful image of transformation — from sin to cleansing, fear to awe, and then it’s obvious beauty. It’s a good reminder that even the coldest seasons are held within the hand of God.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
The first book of the Bible is one that has always intrigued its readers. Here’s a profile of the contents and context of this inspired work.
Earliest Date
The traditional view says that Moses composed Genesis during or shortly after the Exodus (1400-1200 BC). This was the standard belief of ancient Israel and early Christianity. Later, there was some debate (lacking satisfying proof) over whether it was written closer to 900-500BC. However, nearly everyone seems to agree that the accounts themselves preserve much older material.
Historical Coverage
Genesis spans from creation to the death of Joseph in Egypt. During this period, major events like the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the Patriarchs. Depending on what source you use you’ll find timelines from 2,600 years (Masoretic chronology) to over 5,000 years (According to Flavius Josephus).
Incredible Accuracy
The universe had a definite beginning, but before that was acknowledged, it was something that even 19th century scientists resisted.
Humans are made from the “dust of the earth.” Modern biochemistry shows the human body is literally made of the same elements found in soil—carbon, iron, oxygen, trace metals.
Purpose
To explain the origins of the world and humanity. It answers big questions like where everything came from and why we exist. It explains why the world we live in is both beautiful and broken.
It establishes Israel’s Identity. The twelve tribes and their ancestry would trickle down through history to produce the promised Messiah (Gen. 49.8-12).
God speaks of Himself as simply “I Am.” This is one powerful statement depicts His infinite presence and His existence through every age. What does it mean to know Him? How do you know if you do? To know of Jesus is very different than knowing Him.
John is one of those books in the New Testament that will help us to become better aquatinted with the Christ. It’s the last of the gospels that paints a vivid picture of who He was and is on a deeper level than even the three previous gospels. He’s the Bread of life, Light of the world, the Gate, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, the Truth, and the Vine. All of these titles found within the book teach us a little more about the Savior of the world.
There are seven “I Am” statements in John referring to Jesus and three hundred throughout the entire Bible. They begin in Genesis and end in Revelation, and in many books in-between. You just can’t read very far without discovering something very profound about its Writer. He’s eternal. God’s desired response to this is simply for us to believe, respond, and live with our minds and hearts prepared to live with Him. When Jesus describes Himself as the “I Am” it makes the religious leaders want to kill Him (John 8).
To know Jesus, to really know Him, is something that many people have not fully understood. Even as Jesus walked among us mortals and we witnessed His miraculous power there were still several that didn’t realize what it meant to follow Him (Luke 9:57-62). While it’s true that everyone is made in the image of God, few reflect the Father’s image.
Those that know Jesus introduce others to Him. With the knowledge that we are imperfect, let’s not forget that we also have the ability to have a relationship with Him. I am flawed and I am weak, but the Great I Am is interested in who I am. By the grace of God, we are called His children. He is the bread of life that sustains us, the light that guides us, the gate we’ll walk through, and the Truth that will save us. It’s not how great I am, but how great the Great I Am is.
After the six days of creation God rested (Gen. 2.2). The word rest literally meant to stop or, according to Strongs, “desist from exertion” (H7673). Once He finished His work, God does something else that carries a mysterious significance— God blessed a day. So what does that actually mean? Looking at our passage (Gen. 2.3) it says that He does two things and the two verbs that are used are important to help us grasp what’s being said. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.
Blessed (barak):
In ancient Hebrew thought, to bless something was to fill it with life, fruitfulness, or some kind of ongoing benefit. When God blesses living creatures (both man and beast), they multiply (Gen. 1.22, 28, 9.1). When He blesses the seventh day, He bestows on time itself some kind of divine favor. It was a day that gives spiritual renewal rather than physical productivity. Maybe all the details of that won’t be fully understood or appreciated on this side of eternity.
Made holy (qadash):
To “make holy” meant to set apart. This is also the first time in the Bible that anything is called holy — not a place or an object, but a day. The early Hebrew understanding saw the seventh day as more than a simple pause in labor. God gave them this and He made it a healthy spiritual function of creation.
What’s so significant about all that? This is God blending the spiritual and physical elements of His creation together. It wasn’t like a model train that a boy puts together just for fun. This was proof that existence would be more than a complex physical shell. God “created” an entire day, in part, so we could reflect on that.
The argument is often made that biblical writers ripped off much older myths and adapted them for a monotheistic faith. The problem with this is that, while creation order and chaos are indeed reflected in many of these legends, that’s basically where the similarities end.
Gary Pollard
“Chaoskampf” is a prominent theme in the myths of Babylon, Egypt, Canaan, Greece, and even the Norse sagas. It’s also in our Bible, but with obvious differences. In the Babylonian tablets collectively called the Enuma Elish, creation begins with a great battle. Marduk defeats Tiamat, a sea goddess who represents chaos. He fashions the heavens and the earth from her remains after defeating her in battle. In Canaanite myth, Baal battles Yam, the sea god, also a symbol of chaos. In Egyptian stories, Ra must overcome the serpent Apep every night—a coiling monster of darkness and disorder (and don’t forget Osiris/Seth). In Norse mythology, at the edge of the world lies Jörmungandr, the world serpent, who they said will one day rise in Ragnarök, the day of final chaos. In Greek mythology, the Titans battle the Olympians and the victors reorder the destroyed world.
The pattern is the same: a divine being, representing order and stability, faces the chaos of the sea, often personified as a serpent. Genesis 1 is greatly simplified and much cleaner — “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” The great patriarchs were raised in these traditions: Abraham was from Ur of Babylonia, and Moses was raised and educated in Egypt. Asaph wrote, “With your great power you split open the sea and broke the heads of the sea monster. Yes, you smashed the heads of Leviathan and left his body for the animals to eat. You make the springs and rivers flow, you make the rivers dry up. You control day and night. You made the sun and moon. You set limits for everything on earth, and you created summer and winter” (Ps 74).
The argument is often made that biblical writers ripped off much older myths and adapted them for a monotheistic faith. The problem with this is that, while creation order and chaos are indeed reflected in many of these legends, that’s basically where the similarities end. Unlike other cultures, whose myths are all about cosmic battles between gods, Moses and Asaph speak of the unchallenged power of the God who tamed the seas and chaos with just his words.
Revelation ties this theme up nicely. John says, “Then I saw a new sky and a new earth. The first sky and first earth had disappeared. Now there was no sea. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God, down from the sky.” The detail about the sea might seem out of place, but it’s not. “Sea” was often synonymous with chaos, violence, death, and fear. It was personified as a great enemy that had to be defeated. On New Earth, tehom — chaos, the abyss, Tiamat, Leviathan, the sea — is finally gone forever.
Three quick things:
Chaos is nothing to panic over. We serve the God who calmed the seas with a word (Mk 4).
God can and does bring order from chaos. Our life might feel “formless and void” but God will ultimately bring order and beauty (Rom 8).
God has already won — the sea is on borrowed time, Leviathan has lost.
Revelation 21 isn’t fantasy; it’s certain. God will fulfill this promise. For early Christians and us, it’s a call to persevere.
Carl Pollard
The book of Revelation is often misunderstood, neglected, and misused. Its complex imagery and cultural gap make it tough for 21st-century readers. As Peter noted in 2 Peter 3:16, some “twist” such texts to their own destruction. Sadly, Revelation suffers this fate.
In Revelation 21, John shares a vision given to the seven churches of Asia—a message of victory through Christ. Written for Christians under Roman persecution, it offered hope amid suffering. Its Hebrew numerology and imagery resonated then, but today, many distort its meaning. Yet, Christ’s victory remains clear.
John sees the end: God’s triumph over evil, a glimpse of the world’s future, and the faithful’s reward. This prophecy is certain, like all God’s promises. For those in Christ, it’s the ultimate experience. Revelation 21 shows God making “all things new.” Notice what is new:
A New Creation (Verses 1-2)
John sees a new heaven and earth, the old gone. No sea—symbol of chaos—remains. The New Jerusalem descends, God’s people radiant, ready for eternal fellowship. God restores creation, erasing all brokenness.
A New Connection (Verses 3-4)
God will dwell with His people, His presence intimate. Tears, death, and pain vanish. This is perfect fellowship, every sorrow erased by God’s nearness.
A Final Condition (Verses 6-8)
God declares, “I am making all things new!” He offers eternal life freely, but those rejecting Him face separation. This is God’s final justice and mercy.
Revelation 21 isn’t fantasy; it’s certain. God will fulfill this promise. For early Christians and us, it’s a call to persevere. In a broken world, we await a new creation, connection, and condition. Let’s live faithfully, eyes on the day God makes all things new.
Some interpret verses like Isaiah 40:22 (“God stretches out the heavens like a curtain”) as suggesting the expansion of the universe. It’s possible that this could simply be taken as poetic license but if the expanding universe theory is correct, then perhaps the poetic description carries some literal significance as well.
Jeremiah states that “the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured” (33:22), even though the number of visible stars was limited at the time.
But Isaiah 40:22 states that God “sits above the circle of the earth” and this passage has been the subject of intense scrutiny and interesting debate.
Circle Means Spherical, Right?
The Hebrew word for “circle” doesn’t necessarily mean spherical, in fact the word was pretty flexible. It could depict the shape of a compass (Josh. 6.11), or something vaulted, as well as something arched. The question is, could it have been used to refer to something that was/is spherical in shape?
Smart People Seemed To Think So!
We know Isaiah described the sky as being circular— but then there’s Solomon. He possessed an intellect so impressive that I Kings 4.29ff states that, “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore…”. He also authored one of the oldest proverbs in the book of Proverbs and It’s here that the word “circle” is used for the third time in the Bible. What’s even more interesting is that Solomon was likely quoting Job (written aprox. 2100 BC).
Solomon wrote this,
“…He established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep” (Proverbs 8.27).
Job wrote this,
“He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters
at the boundary between light and darkness” (Job 26.10).
To appreciate this mysterious verse even more let’s explore the surrounding verses that dive into the very origin of wisdom.
THE HISTORY OF WISDOM
The Hebrew noun for wisdom is feminine which is likely why wisdom is often referred to as “she” in Proverbs.
Chapter 8.22-31 elucidates her role in creation:
It describes Lady Wisdom as being with God at the beginning of creation, and she’s the one who brought order from chaos. We’re told that she existed (in the mind of God) before the oceans, mountains, and even, “the first dust of the world.”
She’s God’s wisdom, so divine, but this is the part of God that He used to create. It’s like the relationship between a seed and an apple. The skin, flesh, core, and seeds all make up an apple but the seed is the only part that can produce more apples. Wisdom is both distinct from God and a part of Him at same time.
What does this have to do with circles? It was the part of God which was utilized in the creation of a circular earth. Since we know that the earth is not flat, then circle must mean spherical because this isn’t man’s wisdom being discussed here.
The Spheroid Springs
Proverbs 8.28-29
“…when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth.”
The word used for fountains (or springs, ESV) is also the Hebrew word for “eye.” While it may be a curious coincidence, the human eye, like the Earth, isn’t a perfect sphere, but rather a funny-looking shape called a spheroid. That imagery complements the creation account when one compares the language used to describe how God gathered (bound/collected) the elements, earth and water, into one place (Genesis 1.9-10).
SUMMARY
Earth must be a kind of circle that serves as a fixed boarder between the outer darkness of space (Proverbs 8.27, Job 26.22).
A circle containing the sky above and the deep below (Proverbs 8.28)— must be spherical.
The Hebrew word for “circle” is ambiguous enough that it can describe anything which “goes around” or “covers” something.
Have you ever made a list of why God is worthy to be praised? David did, in Psalm 111. Take a moment and explore his inspired, itemized list…
Neal Pollard
WORTHY OF PRAISE (PSALM 111)
Neal Pollard
One of those names that remind me of my childhood love of singing is Tillit S. Teddlie, a prolific songwriter and member of the church of Christ who lived to be 102. His songs have a trademark sound, and we have sung so many of them: “Heaven Holds All To Me,” “When We Meet In Sweet Communion,” “Oft We Come Together,” “Singing Redemption’s Song,” “Hear Me When I Call,” “Don’t Wait Too Long,” and “Into Our Hands.” He wrote about soul-winning and personal devotion, but he also devoted a lot of his hymns to worship. I love his song, “Worthy Art Thou.”
It is said that Teddlie wrote this hymn in 1930, sitting on his front porch on a Sunday morning. He was studying a commentary, Johnson’s Notes, looking for something to put into his sermon. His Bible was open to Revelation, where the elders are before the throne and singing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:11)(biographical info via hymnstudies.blog). Teddlie could as easily have been studying Psalm 111. While the phrase, “worthy of praise,” is not found in the psalm, the psalmist calls for praise and then sets out to show why.
HIS WORKS ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE
The psalm’s writer mentions God’s “work” and “works” four times in this brief psalm. They are “great” and “studied” by those who delight in Him (2). They are splendid and majestic (3). They are “powerful” (6). “The works of His hands are truth and justice” (7). The God who created everything did not step back and cease His activity among men after the creation. The God who calls for our works of obedience sets the example by continuing to work in the affairs of mankind. Whether His natural laws set in motion at the creation, His providential care, His answer to prayer, or His redemption, He is at work! For this, He deserves our praise.
HIS WONDERS ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE
“He has made His wonders to be remembered” (4). These are unusual things beyond human capabilities. It means “to be wonderful” or “to cause a wonderful thing to happen” (TWOT 723). While the psalmist doesn’t mention specifically what these wonders are or give examples, any of the attributes and actions would qualify. The psalmist mentions who He is and what He has done. If we think deeply about those, we are left to dwell on how incredible and awesome our God is!
HIS WORD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
The psalmist does not confine his praise to God’s nature and activity. There are His precepts (7), His commandments (10), and His covenant (5,9). God’s greatness is found in what He has revealed to us and what that revelation does for us in this life and for the life to come. My maker has seen to it we have the owner’s manual, to help us know how to best live. I am blessed by His truth (7,8).
HIS WISDOM IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
While I must obtain wisdom myself, it is truly a “wisdom from above” (Jas. 3:17). I get wisdom through the fear of the Lord (10). This good understanding, brought about by His Word (see above), helps me avoid the folly of the unbeliever and the heartache of the rebellious.
When I assemble with the saints to worship, I need to have a proper frame of mind. That occurs by intentional preparation beforehand. It helps me to meditate on who God is and what I am about to do in worship. This can help me focus and bring a better offering. There is no shortage of matters to consider. This psalm shows me just a few of the reasons why the object of my worship is praiseworthy!
Do you remember going to bed on Christmas Eve as a child? Time seemed to go by at a snail’s pace! As children, we felt like we were always waiting—for birthdays, Christmas, or Halloween. Tuesday evenings felt endless because in our house we had Waffle Wednesday. Even those small joys filled us with excitement. Sadly, as we grow older, that anticipation often fades. We should strive to foster that child-like excitement in our Christian walk as we consider what’s ahead.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, the Apostle Paul speaks of our future bodily resurrection. These verses remind us of God’s promise and encourage us to live differently, focusing on the hope of a Better Dwelling. Many Christians are motivated by a fear of hell rather than the reward of eternal life. However, if we embrace the truth of God’s Word, we find a greater motivation—hope.
Paul describes our bodies as temporary, like tents or clay jars (2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 4). Decline is an inevitable part of life, and our bodies are not meant to last. This leads to a natural response: groaning, expressing discomfort. For many, the desire is for relief from physical pain, but for Christians, that “something better” is the promise of resurrection life and restoration.
An essential theme of Genesis is that God created everything as good, and He is committed to restoring His creation. According to 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, He will undo death through the resurrection of our bodies. The Spirit given to us is a guarantee that God has started the work of restoration in us and will see it through to completion.
What is still to come? Paul says we have “a building from God, eternal in the heavens” (vv. 1-2). This is a NEW body. In the resurrection, Paul says we will be “putting on” a new body. “What is mortal will be swallowed up by life” (v. 4). Life as we know it will be overshadowed by eternal, perfect existence. The best part is being “at home with the Lord” (v. 8).
The promise of resurrection promotes a different way of living. Are you willing to give up a resurrected body for a tent? Paul affirms three resolutions we should have. First, remember what we ought to believe; we know of God’s promise of resurrection. Second, remember the resurrection as encouragement during decline. Third, remember where you would rather be: “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (v. 8).
With these in mind, we will “walk” according to what we believe about the future and trust that God will keep His promise. Paul phrases it as “walking by faith and not by sight” (v. 7).
Our anticipation for new life in the presence of God shapes how we live today. If you’ve lost sight of this, refocus now. Let’s strive to be resurrected and spend eternity together with the Lord.
There was a chaotic, inky, and endless cosmic ocean raging in the great nothingness before time began. But, if we could traverse back in time and glimpse the earth after it had just started spinning we’d likely surmise that we had stepped onto another planet. Animals spoke in a tongue which the first humans understood, bipedal serpents stalked the infant earth, and a mighty conflict exploded in the heavens among the sons of God. The thundering footsteps of giants could be heard roaming the ancient landscape; turning the blood of our ancestors to ice. Sorcery and witchcraft, though banned by our Creator, was successfully practiced and the consequences of those actions are not understood. From the garden of God to the hellscape of godless cities came accounts of good and evil. These accounts left a permanent impact on every generation that followed and the stories that have been passed down feel almost familiar somehow. It’s as if they were tattooed on our hearts or that eternity was ingrained in the human psyche.
A plethora of ancient cultures echo the same biblical imagery in their written and oral traditions. Mainstream astronomers, geologists, archeologists, and the secular slew of mighty minds have fooled themselves and others into believing that they’ve made discoveries that have enlightened the modern age. Our ancestors, as they’re painted in the history books, stumbled about in blind ignorance— longing to have access to the vast amounts of wisdom we’re privy to. This is simply not the case. The Bible serves as mankind’s one and only peek behind the spiritual veil. It’s a book that was attacked during its formation and ever since the completion of its closing revelation. Of all the accusations and allegations levied against the inspired texts, only the ignorant could make the claim that the Bible is boring. There’s a wide range of baggage one might bring with them as they crack open its precious pages but who could close the book and walk away with such a thought? It’s fascinating. It’s a gripping literary masterpiece with such historical, scientific, and spiritual implications that it’s powerful enough to upend the lives of its readers and reroute their eternal destination. The Bible is a book of life. It’s about life back then and right now. It’s about spiritual life; the bleak state of it then and our justified life now. It’s about the Creator of life. It elucidates, improves, elevates, and transforms. So, the Book is quite literally everything for everyone.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever (Psalm 119:160).
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him (Proverbs 30:5).
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).
Why does everyone’s creation stories, from ancient myths onward, talk about there being water in the beginning? And why is this important for the Christian who believes the Bible is God-breathed?
Dale Pollard
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20
For a moment I want to walk through some newer findings in the realm of secular based science that match the biblical narrative perfectly.
WATER WAS PRESENT IN THE EARLIEST STAGES OF THE UNIVERSE
According to Tel Aviv University & NASA researchers (2016):
“Astronomers have long held that water—two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom—was a relative latecomer to the universe. They believed that any element heavier than helium had to have been formed in the cores of stars and not by the Big Bang itself. Since the earliest stars would have taken some time to form, mature, and die, it was presumed that it took billions of years for oxygen atoms to disperse throughout the universe and attach to hydrogen to produce the first interstellar ‘water.'”
However, they go on to say,
“…new research poised for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters by Tel Aviv University and Harvard University researchers reveals that the universe’s first reservoirs of water may have formed much earlier than previously thought…” (via https://www.aftau.org).
In Genesis (1.2ff), we read that the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.
Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”
There are countless ancient myths from around the world that somehow include this not-so-coincidental detail that in the very beginning, water was present. Whether or not God intended for that element to speak to something other than its order in the account of creation, it’s fitting. God is the maker and maintainer of life— and water is absolutely essential for life to exist. We’re physically alive because of it and we’re spiritually saved through it (I Peter 3.21).
It’s a thread that satisfyingly runs through the entirety of scripture and it seems as though science is finally beginning to catch up with what God told us thousands of years ago.
How does one argue human value without the existence of God?
Gary Pollard
“What makes human life valuable?”
A purely naturalistic answer is not adequate. Life begets life, which is true. Self-preservation is built into our programming, that’s true. Life is valuable because of its potential to contribute to future generations (the reproductive success aspect of biological imperatives), which is also true. Humans rely on each other for survival, that’s true. We have a unique capacity for empathy, true. We have consciousness and recognize the value of others, true (kinda). And there are cultural narratives that emphasize the value of human life (depends on the cultural narrative).
But what stops a society from devolving into the practice of eugenics? If some have superior genetics in the mental and physical health department, why not be more selective about who gets to reproduce? Why would we allow the survival of those who don’t or can’t contribute to future generations? Why would we allow/desire the survival of those who don’t or can’t meaningfully contribute to society? What about empathy’s subjective nature? We don’t usually show empathy (as much anyways) to those whose experiences or values are very different from our own, not without a transcendent directive that calls us to aim higher than self. We have consciousness and recognize the value of others…until we decide that they aren’t valuable any longer (see all militant religious conflicts over the last fifteen centuries). And those cultural narratives that value human life are primarily religious in their nature, with none emphasizing absolute selfless love more than Christianity. By Christianity, of course, I mean actual Christians. Not godless pagans who use iconography and distorted narratives to manipulate others for personal elevation. They are not — and cannot by definition be — Christians.
So what does make human life valuable? We have to posit their value from a transcendent point of view.
We are the only life on the planet that looks like God (Gen 1.27). While there’s been much debate over what “in his image and likeness” means, it’s not exactly ambiguous in scripture. Genesis 5.1 and 5.3 make the best case for this: “When God created people, he made them like himself.” And, “After Adam was 130 years old, he had another son who looked just like himself. Adam named his son Seth.” Same exact wording. Genesis 9.6 says, “God made humans to be like himself. So whoever kills a person must be killed by another person.” The value of human life comes from our resemblance to the Creator.
As Jesus affirmed, the two most important laws are to love God with all of our being and to love other people like self (cf. Mt 22.36-40). If we love God, we’re going to love other people — including people who hate and hurt us (Mt 5.44). That isn’t a natural reaction to hostility! Human life has value because God gave it value.
Human life is valuable because the Creator sacrificed himself to give us life. If God “Doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, but for everyone to change their lives,” our view of people should be the same (cf. II Pt 3.9).
From a naturalistic point of view, there’s no utility in ensuring the survival of people who can’t contribute to society. Drawing from the reasons we’ve listed James says, “Pure, genuine religion is this: providing for orphans and widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence” (1.27).
Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too (Phil 2.1-4).
Scripture offers deeper insights into the nature of truth. When you choose to integrate faith into your everyday life, you will find meaning and you will be fulfilled.
You will find a purpose driven existence that the world longs to have. With God, life has meaning.
Notice with me 5 biblical truths that shape our worldview. There are many more, but these five have been the fundamentals of our faith. These are the ones that the apostles taught to the world after the ascension of Jesus. I am thankful that God has given to us a framework as Christians, a framework through which we are supposed to interpret the world.
We don’t rely on opinions, or feelings, or traditions, or our families, to tell us these truths. These truths were laid upon us by the Lord of Lords. He tells us these truths so that we would have a lens through which we can interpret the world. Without them we are Velma from Scooby Doo. We NEED these glasses to see the world properly.
Pillar number 1 in the biblical worldview…
We Were Created
How does the world say that we got here?
In the beginning there was a cosmic boom.
This is what our children our taught, and what more and more people are believing.
This is totally contrary to the words of Scripture. We say “In the beginning God created.” The world says, “In the Beginning nothing created.” It takes more faith to believe evolution than it does the first five words of the Bible. Pillar number 1 of a biblical worldview contradicts the very nature of modern historical scientists.
In the beginning God said, “Let us make man in our own imagine, in our own likeness” Gen. 1:26
We were created and molded after the Creator. From this first pillar we learn many things. Because we have a Creator we better understand the world God placed us in.
The knowledge of a Creator helps us understand ourselves better since we were made in the image of God. Because we were created we learn of the Creator who shaped us out of dust and breathed life into our bodies. We were created to ENJOY fellowship with our God.
Pillar number 2…
We Fell
In Genesis 3, man rebelled against God and as a result of that, sin entered into the world. This sin caused
Spiritual separation: Adam and Eve and their children were separated from God, both physically and spiritually. They could no longer walk and talk with God face to face.
Physical changes: Adam and Eve became mortal, and they and their children would experience sickness, pain, and physical death.
Cursed environment: The ground was cursed in the Garden of Eden and throughout the earth.
Loss of righteousness: Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness and knew that their former perfection was gone.
Guilt and shame: Adam and Eve felt guilt and shame they had NEVER felt this before.
Judgment: Satan was judged with a divine curse. The woman would experience pain in childbirth, and her husband was to rule over her. Man must now labor for his existence on a cursed earth.
And if that wasn’t enough, Paul says this in Romans 5:12: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” From the moment we fell, all people are born into a sinful world, and with a desire to rebel against our God. No matter who you are, you will have sin in your life (Romans 3:23).
There are so many people who don’t believe in God because of the consequences of the fall. They’re angry because there is suffering and death in the world. They think if God exists, why is there so much death and pain? Either He doesn’t exist, is too weak to fix it, or just doesn’t care. In their minds, they don’t believe in God because of these things. Why do so many feel this way? They fail to have a biblical worldview. Otherwise they would realize that all of this death and suffering and sorrow is a direct result of the fall. We recognize through a biblical worldview that we live in a fallen world.
And because of this, although God is good and He exists, suffering also exists because we live in a SINFUL world.
Do you see how these worldviews can start changing your attitude? Every tear you’ve ever shed. Every graveside you’ve ever attended. Every hospital you’ve been in. Every NICU a child is taken to. Every war that is fought. Every cancer treatment you take. Every grey hair or lack of hair. Every divorce, every death, every diseases. Every failure, every insecurity, every struggle ALL exists because we LIVE in a fallen world!
What is the point if there is no God to save us from our sin?
Pillar 3…
We Are Redeemed
We are currently living in the Christian era or dispensation. We exist in a time, after the fall, but before the end. We are in the last times. No newer covenant, this is it.
God has given His Son, we either accept Him or reject it. What more could God give?
How else could He prove to His creation that He loves us? He chose us after the fall.
We are now redeemed through Christ. We are living in a time after the resurrection and before the second coming. God is working on this earth to redeem those whose hearts are soft so that we can escape judgment.
We are redeemed by the blood of Christ, and God is going to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to respond.
And that is where we are now. God is redeeming for Himself a people who will spend an eternity with Him. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This word redeemed literally means, to release from a captive condition, to deliver. What are we being released from? What holds us captive? The SIN we find ourselves in as we are living in a fallen world!
Christ is our redeemer who saves us again and again. God has regained His prize possession through the payment of His Son.
Not everyone will be saved, only those who have come in contact with the blood of Christ. This is why call Him our redeemer.
Those who are redeemed will be taken to paradise and saved from the destruction of this world. We live in the era of redemption.
If you don’t have this biblical worldview, you will see no reason to stop sinful behavior.
You will be just like those in the days of Noah, MOCKING the ones who are getting in a boat on dry land. This worldview should shape our perspective of life, to its CORE.
Pillar 4…
We Are A Part of The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is the reign and rule of God in our lives. We were redeemed to be a new creation in Christ. We are a part of the reign of God in the world. As citizens in this Kingdom, we are called to live in a way that reflects His values and priorities.
We are called to live out the principles of our King in our daily lives. Jesus came, according to Mark one, preaching the kingdom of God is at hand.
It’s here now! Our worldview, that is, our jobs, our families, our friends, our words, our thoughts, our actions, our attitude, our perspective, must ALL be shaped by our citizenship. We. Belong. To God. “But our citizenship is above, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:20).
We are here, but don’t belong. Live like you are in God’s Kingdom.
Pillar 5…
We Will Be Restored
This final pillar looks forward to the ultimate restoration of all things. We are promised that God will make everything new, just as it was in the beginning. Pillars 1 and 5 are connected by redemption and a kingdom.
Through these things we will be restored to God’s original perfection. This is hope greater than any earthly thing. This promise of restoration helps us persevere through this fallen world. This promise helps us live as citizens of the Kingdom. The promise of restoration provides hope for the future.
It encourages the redeemed to work toward godly love, to show mercy and forgiveness.
Another one of the most commonly asked questions is, “What is humanity’s goal?” This seems to be a “purpose” question, but one that specifically asks if we’re pursuing some kind of unity. Many have tackled this question, and most of them are far more qualified to deal with it than I am. But the ancient writings God gave humanity have proved reliable for millennia, so I’ll lean on its principles in this abridged look at our unifying goal(s).
The concept of a “unity” has been explored for a very long time. It serves as the foundational principle for many world religions because we all have an intuitive sense that we’re connected somehow, or that we all come from a common source. We understand that all of us together are greater than any one person, so our destiny must be just as awesome!
The short answer (from a believer’s perspective) is: Humanity’s goal is to see God.
We believe that the Logos created our planet and made it habitable. The universe is the creative expression of his nature and power.
Humanity’s original goal was the explore the Earth and enjoy it (Gen 2.1-15).
We were in a state of perfect harmony with the Creator and his creation.
We lost that when we chose to pursue forbidden gnosis.
All of history (and what remains of our future) is a story — its unifying narrative is our journey back to that initial harmony. This story is only possible because the Creator sacrificed himself to change our inevitable destiny!
Our immediate goal is to emulate the Creator’s character as much as we can. This necessarily means we acknowledge his existence and primacy. He is light and love, so we try to be the same. Done properly, this benefits all people (especially people who struggle). Why voluntarily pursue other peoples’ needs over our own? Why struggle against the body’s impulses? Why view other people as more important than self? Why hold on so tightly to a belief in a God no one has seen? He promised us a return to perfection, an eternal life without any suffering, and a fully-repaired, personal relationship with the Creator (cf. II Pt 3.13; I Jn 3.1-3, Rv 21.1-2).
Now I am coming to you. I will not stay in the world, but these followers of mine are still in the world. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name — the name you gave me. Then they will be one, just like you and I are one (Jn 17.11).
A person has only one body, but that body has many parts. Yes, there are many parts, but all those parts are still just one body. Christ is like that, too (I Cor 12.12).
There is one body and one spirit, and God chose you to have one hope. There is one master, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God and Father of us all, who rules over everyone. He works through all of us and in all of us (Eph 4.4-6).
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