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Babel: Man's Way vs. God's Way
Sermonette by Christian D. HunterAt Babel, the people were of one mind but in total rebellion to God. The events at Babel and the events at Pentecost differentiate God's way and man's way.
Psalms: Book Five (Part Five): Psalm 119 (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Hebrew word dabar (H1697), occurring 24 times in Psalm 119, serves as a general term for God's revelation. It encapsulates the entirety of what God has disclosed to humanity, akin to referring to the Bible as God's Word. This term underscores the comprehensive nature of divine instruction, emphasizing that all of God's communication is encompassed within it, guiding us in understanding and living according to His will.
Defining Logos (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Hebrew word for "word," as in the phrase "the Word of the Lord," is dabar (H1697), serving as the Hebrew counterpart to the Greek logos. The meanings of dabar and logos are strikingly similar, almost an exact match. In a spiritual sense, dabar primarily functions as the revelation of God, often through commandments, statutes, judgments, the way of the Lord, the will of the Lord, or prophecies of future events. Throughout the Old Testament, in books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, the phrase "the Word of the Lord came unto me" frequently appears, signaling a revelation of God's plan, goals, or spiritual concepts. This pattern continues in the Minor Prophets, where the purpose of the Word of the Lord, whether personified or not, is to reveal something about God and His intentions. Even when not explicitly personified, the presence of a Being behind the words is evident, reinforcing that dabar represents not just speech, but often a personal manifestation of God Himself. Devout Jews, familiar with the Old Testament, equated dabar with logos when the apostles used the term, understanding the Word of the Lord in both testaments as fundamentally the same concept, differing only in language.
The Oracles of God
'Ready Answer' by Charles WhitakerThe Hebrew word dabar (H1697) carries significant weight as it relates to God's revelation to mankind. It embodies the divine utterances and communications from God, often translated as "word" or "speech" in the Old Testament. Through dabar, God conveys His will, commands, and promises to His people, as seen in the messages delivered by prophets like Moses, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. This term underscores the power and authority of God's spoken word, serving as a direct line of communication between the Divine and humanity. Whether through statutes, judgments, or prophetic declarations, dabar represents the foundation of God's interaction with His creation, guiding and instructing them in His ways.