Observations on Bible Verses - Assignment Example

Response to question In Genesis 22 19 there are different observations that can be derived from these bible verses. In verse one, it is highlighted that, after these things Abraham was tested by God, he called him by his name then Abraham answered here am I1. In this sentence, there are a number of verbs that have been highlighted. The words tested and said are passive verbs. In the second verse, God said to Abraham to pick his son, the only beloved son (Isaac), then go to Moriah and give him off as an offering that is burnt on the mountain that God would tell him2. In this sentence, the active verbs that have been identified include take, go, and offer. In this sentence, the cause and the effect have also been displayed. The cause in this case is taking your son where as the effect is offering the son as a sacrifice. In the third verse, Abraham woke up early in the morning, has his ass saddled, then took two young men and his son. The first observation in this sentence is a list. The list is identified when Abraham took two men and Isaac. The sentence shows out some active verbs including rose, took, cut, arose, and went3. The passive voice that has been displayed is saddled. In the third verse, Abraham lifts up his eyes and found out that the place was a far off. After this Abraham told his young men to remain with the ass as he and the lad went yonder to worship the Lord. Abraham took the burnt offering, wood, and had it laid on Isaac his son. He then took a knife and fire in his hands. At this instant, Isaac asked the father where the lamb was as they already had wood and the fire4. Abraham responded to his son’s question by ensuring him that the lamb for the sacrifice would be given out by God. They then went ahead together. In this regard, the lamb is a figurative speech. The lamb represents a sacrifice of salvation that the human race need to give it willingly to God. Another observation in these sentences is the use of passive and active verb. Some of the active verbs include stay, go and worship among other verbs. After arriving at the place where God had directed Abraham, he established an alter, laid the wood, bound his son Isaac, laid him on the alter on the wood5. This statement represents a list of items such as establishing an alter, laying wood, and bounding Isaac. After this, Abraham took a knife and was ready to slay Isaac. Before he slaid his son, an angel from the God called him and asked him not to do anything to him, as the Lord had already confirmed that Abraham feared the Lord from the fact that he did withhold his only son. When Abraham looked behind him, there was a ram. He took the ram then offered it as a sacrifice. He then named that place that God would provide. Then the Angel of God called Abraham the second time. He said to him that, though, he had sworn because Abraham did that, and did not withhold his only son. He added that he will bless him, multiply his descendants, like heaven stars, and as the seashore sand. He also added that Abraham descendants would possess their enemies’ gates. Abraham descendants in all the earth nations would bless themselves as Abraham had obeyed God. After this Abraham returned towards his young men and they rose, went together to Beer-Sheba thus Abraham lived in Beer-sheba. The main topic in this chapter is that God normally tests his people. In the chapter, Abraham was tested by God. His name was changed from Abram which meant exalted father towards Abraham that meant a multitude’s father6. In this chapter, God asks Abraham to pursue something that was going to tamper with his new name. The words ‘Here I am’ is an idiom from Hebrews that in meant to mean availability. The next words to identify is ‘the land of Moriah’ that could be interpreted to mean the land of worship. A burnt offering is a term of Hebrews that could be replaced by the term holocaust which implies a sacrifice that is totally burned7. When Abraham work up early in the morning, it means there was no hesitation in walking up that was experienced. In this case, Abraham could certainly not be a perfect man, but he demonstrated a complete trust in God. This could be a representation of a climatic trust test. In verse, four of the chapter, the words ‘on the third day’ are highlighted. These words mean that the distance from Beersheba to Moriah could take about two and half days through walking. However, having a donkey and different supplies one would take a long period of time. When Abraham said that he would worship and return to his men means that he had a certain faith in God. Even though Abraham do not understand why and how, he understood the fact that God was able. When takes the wood of the offering to be burnt then laid on Isaac implies that as much as Abraham had faith and love, God’s love towards the human race is abundant. Another thing to not is that Isaac asks Abraham the whereabouts of the lamb that was to be used for the offering. This question cut Abraham’s heart, yet he displays faith towards God8. This also showed that Isaac was informed of sacrifices hence implies that the system of sacrifice predated the legislation of Mosaic. The answer of Abraham to Isaac was that God would provide. This answer became the God’s name in verse 149. This means that God’s acts lead to a new name for describing his actions and character. This means that whoever sees is the provider. Response to question 2. Leviticus 26:1 says that one shall not make for himself idols, erect graven images or pillar, and set up a stone figure in his land, with intentions of bowing down to them since He is our God10. This verse displays the commands of God to the human race. The first observation is the words ‘you shall make you no idol’. In this statement, there is an active verb (make) that can be identified. The sentence is also a figurative speech since the word idol does not literally mean making idols but is a representation idolatry. Even though, idolatry was forbidden, the law had to be repeated in this verse while referring to specific forms of it, which were extremely common in the neighboring nations. The second observation to make is in the words ‘a standing image’ which means a pillar that is upright. The third observation is the words ‘image of stone’. These words are obelisk and are inscribed with superstitious and hieroglyphical characters11. The initial one represented the small common pillars of the Canaanites or Syrians the next represents the elaborate and large obelisks that were worshiped by the Egyptian as divinities that are guardian or utilized them as adoration stones for the stimulation of religious worship. In this regard, Israelites had to be enjoined so as to have them identified. The next verse after this one is another law that is given regarding the Sabbath.12 This verse represents laws that have been painted on a canvas of narrative against the backdrop God’s encounter at Mount Sinai. This law is displayed as a part of dialogue between Moses and God. This is evident as the book of Leviticus begins with the words ‘God said to Moses’13. This verse also displays some phrases of time-sequence which shows out the storyline movement time which is a narrative trait. This law could be referred to as the moral law because it deals with timeless truths concerning the intention of God for the behavior of humans. In this respect, the main behaviour that God wants for humans is to avoid idolatry. In His law, God goes ahead and give examples of the forms of idolatry that man should refrain. Response to question 3. There are four vital Hebrew parallelisms. The first one is referred to as synonymous parallelism, which is a case where the second couplet line gives a repetition of the idea in the first line14. For example in Psalms 20:1 the first sentence (the Lord will answer you when in trouble) has an idea that is presented in the second sentence (the name of God of Jacob give you protection). Another example is in Psalms 20:5 ‘May we shout for joy concerning victory, and in God’s name establish your banner! May the Lord satisfy all your demands!’ The next example is in psalms 20: 3 ‘may God remember all your offering, and consider with favor your sacrifice that is burnt! The second parallelism is referred to as antithetic or contrastive parallelism, which refers to a case where the second line’s thought, is a contrast of the first one15. For instance, in Psalms 20:7 the first sentence (some people boast of horses and chariots) contrasts the second sentence (but we boast regarding the name of God our Lord). Another example is presented in Psalms 20:8 where the first sentence (they will fall and collapse) is a contrast of the second sentence (but we will stand and rise upright). The third parallelism is referred to as synthetic or developmental parallelism, which is displayed in a situation whereby the second line of a sentence is a continuation of the thought development that started in the first line16. For example in Psalms 20: 9 in which the second sentence (answer us whenever we call) is a development of the first sentence (give victory to the King o Lord). Another example is displayed in Psalms 20:6 where the second sentence (he will answer him from his heaven that is holy together with increased victories by his right hand) is a development of the first sentence (Now I understand that God will assist his anointed). The fourth parallelism is referred to as emblematic or illustrative parallelism which represents a case where by the second line of a verse explains the idea of the first line especially by a simile17. For example, in Psalms 20:2 where the second sentence (and give you support from Zion) illustrates the first sentence (may he send you help from the sanctuary). Apart from this Psalms 20:4 represents an emblematic parallelism as the second sentence (satisfy all your plans) illustrates the idea in the first sentence (May God give you the desires of your heart). Response to question 4. In Micah 6:6-8 the bible says ‘with that shall I come to the Lord, and bow before God on high? Shall I come to him with sacrifices that are burnt? With calves one year old? Shall God be impresses with many rams? With ten thousand rivers of oil? Should I provide my first born due to my sins, my body’s fruit for the transgression of my soul? He has displayed to you man whatever is considered to be good; and what is required from you by God but doing justice and loving kindness and walking humbly with God?18 The first observation to make is in the first line which says that with that shall I come to the Lord, and bow before God on high? This sentence has a number of active verbs (come, bow). In this respect, people were convicted by the prior God’s appeal to them to ask whether they did not know whatever God requires of them in appeasing Him. It is for this reason that they add that they willing and ready to sacrifice of offer a significant heap of offerings, and even the ones that could be exceedingly costly including their wombs fruits. Burnt offering in this case is meant to mean an offering that is burned totally. The calves aged one year old are a figurative speech, and they represent those calves that used to be sacrificed for an honorable priest. In verse seven, the words ‘rivers of oil’ have been used. This is equally a figurative speech. It does not literally mean a river with oil, but it is meant to mean an offering that is plenty which may impress God19. This is normally used in sacrifice. Would the Lord be appeased with giving out a lot of oil which would flow in torrents myriads? The words fruit of my body as used is also a figurative speech. It implies giving out ones children as atonement. In many situations Jews used to offer human sacrifice in the Hinnom Valley. In verse eight, the word, He has been used. This is meant to mean God. The verse uses words like 'has showed you whatever is good'. This sentence has a passive verb ( showed) which means a long time ago20. This means that one should not ask questions in verse six and seven as if he or she had never been given an answer to these queries. On the other hand, whatever is good represents the good things that would come with God for which the law had predicted. In this respect, the Mosaic offering were just a suggestion of some foreshadowing of God’s better sacrifice21. For someone to have something good that was showed to him by the spirit is the basis of the following requirement that are moral. Therefore, a gospel path was prepared. Additionally, as Jews are banished from Palestine, the chance of finding the redemption mosaic rites is precluded thus shutting them up to God22. In verse eight God, the word justly mercy is used to represent the sacrifices that are preferred by God. In this regard, positive ordinances are the means highlighted as moral duties and are the ending of the obligation that is everlasting. In verse eight, the words ‘to walk with God humbly’ have been highlighted. These words represent the active and passive obedience to God. This means that there are three moral duties that are summarized by God. These include mercy, faith, and judgment. Additionally, walking with God means a regular prayer, watchfulness, and conversing with God with humility. Work cited Duvall, S & Hay, D. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 26 October 2012. Slick, M. How to interpret the Bible. New York: Contoso press, 2006. Goldingay, J. Models for interpretation of scripture: New York: Oxford publishers, 2008. Neuman, p. Old Testament Law. Malden, MA: Blackwell press, 2009. Read More