[This article will be included as one of the chapters in an upcoming book I will be releasing later this year.]

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10

In our modern times, it’s unheard of for kings, presidents, or prime ministers to be present on the battlefield. But in the lands and times of the Bible, it was commonplace for kings to not only be present but fight in the battles. This custom was carried out well into the Middle Ages.

In the Bible there are many accounts of kings fighting in battles. Some were successful, and some were not. Keeping in mind kings did indeed fight in battles helps us understand the meaning of God bearing His holy arm.

Kingly Robes

The robes of kings in the Bible times were long garments with long sleeves. In times of battle, the king would remove his robe. The sleeves would then be tied together in a knot. The knotted robe would then be put over his head so that his robe would now be behind him, held by the knotted portion which was now around his neck.

This indicated to all those present, as well as to the enemy, the king was not hindered in any way. His arms were free and unobstructed. He was now prepared to fight.

Does God Have Arms?

There are places in the Bible that talk about God’s arm, or His arms. But does God really have arms? No. The Scriptures tell us God is a spirit. Giving God human characteristics is a figure of speech. It helps us understand Him better. And many times, it adds great emphasis to what we are reading.

Arms are a symbol of strength. When you read about God promising to deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt with a “stretched out arm,” it shows God’s great power and might to do such a thing. That is much more emphatic than to just simply say, “I will redeem you.”

Making Bare His Holy Arm

God making bare His holy arm is not only indicative of His strength and power, but also of His willingness. He has removed His robe. He is ready to go to work. He is ready and willing to fight for you and me.

We might have more confidence in God when we call upon Him for help, if we were to remember that He indeed does bare His arm for us. But sadly, some people don’t feel worthy of God helping them in such a dramatic fashion. They think, “Oh, maybe a little bit of help, but certainly not taking off His robe and going to battle on my account. Who am I that He should do something like that for me?”

If you’re a parent, would you hesitate to help your child with your resources? I certainly wouldn’t. The Bible declares we are children of God. That is either just a nice religious phrase, or it is literally true. It is true! We are His children, and nothing can separate us from His love.

Since there are so many, many places in the Scriptures that encourage us to call upon God for help, why shouldn’t we expect that as a loving Father, He will indeed help us? Perhaps, instead of looking at our weaknesses and shortcomings, we ought to put our focus on our powerful and delivering God!

Why not picture Him taking His robe off and bearing His arms for you, not because you deserve it; not because you’ve earned it; but simply because He loves you.

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Exodus 6:6
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you.

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:38 and 39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I remember the first time I saw an empty soda bottle in a campfire. Someone had tossed it in to see what the hot coals would do to it. We watched over time the shape of that glass bottle change.

The memory of that campfire event was the first thing that came to mind when I read a verse in the Bible that talks about a bottle in the smoke. But then, of course I quickly realized in Bible times they didn’t have glass soda bottles. So then I was a bit puzzled by what a bottle in the smoke could possibly mean in that culture.

Figures of Speech

In addition to understanding idioms relating to the culture of the Bible, understanding figures of speech is also helpful. There are three figures of comparison that are not only quite common in the Bible, but used often by people today.

The first is simile, which is a comparison by resemblance, usually using “like” or “as.” If a person is a really good swimmer, someone might say, “He swims like a fish.” Psalm 1:3 says a righteous person is, “like a tree planted by the rivers of water.”

Adding more emphasis to a stated comparison, the second is a metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison by representation, where one noun (or pronoun) represents another. In the fish example above, a metaphor would be, “He is a fish.” In the Gospel of John, Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches…”

Adding still more emphasis and intensity is the figure hypocatastasis, which is a comparison by implication. In the fish example, instead of comparing the swimmer with a fish by saying he is like a fish, or even that he is a fish, in hypocatastasis the comparison is just implied. “Look at that fish!” Although the comparison is implied, the meaning is effectively communicated.

In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, Jesus did not say the devil is like a thief; he did not say the devil is a thief; he said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ He put some very serious emphasis on his statement.

Whether it’s hypocatastasis, metaphor, or simile, these figures are used throughout the Bible. When we recognize them, and understand the Bible culture as well, the meaning of many verses are understood. A great resource for understanding figures of speech is Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, by E. W. Bullinger.

A Bottle in the Smoke

In Psalm 119, the psalmist wrote, “For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.” As I mentioned, initially, my only mental picture was that soda bottle melting in the coals of a campfire. I did not understand this Eastern idiom.

In Bible times, poor people who didn’t have a well of their own for water would keep a supply of water in a goatskin. Once skinned and cleaned, they would tie the 4 legs with rope, pour fresh water in and tie the neck with rope. They would then hang it on a pole.

Many lived in a small, one room dwelling. This is where they would sleep, cook and eat. As a result from cooking, the bottle (goatskin) would hang there, subject to smoke and heat. Over time it would crack and then leak, becoming useless. In that culture, if you were to tell someone you were like a bottle in the smoke, they would easily understand.

The bottle in the smoke cannot control the unpleasant circumstances that surrounds it; it is alone and helpless. At times in life we may feel this way, like the psalmist did, but he went on to say, “Yet do I not forget thy statutes.” He knew his deliverance came from God and without Him, he was helpless.

When we face times of discouragement or crisis, with seemingly no help, we can remember where our help comes from. We can look to God, rely on God, and trust in our ever delivering, and ever powerful God!

Psalm 119:83
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

Photo Credit: Laura Marchini Flickr via Compfight cc

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

After a very remarkable presentation by Stephen to his accusers, the record in Acts 7 ends with those religious leaders executing this wonderful man.  They stoned him to death.  There is a part of verse 58 that is often misunderstood.

Verse 58 reads, “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” Why would the witnesses lay down their clothes at Saul’s feet?  What clothes?

First of all, a better translation of “clothes” would be “cloak.”  The word in Greek means a type of clothing; a mantle or wrap.  It was a large rectangle of fabric, draped in different ways as a shawl, a cloak, or a head covering. It was normally worn over other clothing and thus is best understood as a cloak.

The verse tells us the witnesses laid down their cloaks at Saul’s feet.  They were not the ones doing the stoning, but rather the witnesses of the execution.  In Bible times, laying your cloak at someone’s feet indicates you are a witness of the event, and you vow yourself to be a true and faithful witness; you will tell the whole truth regarding that matter.

Spearheading The Persecutio

We learn from the first part of the next chapter that Saul (who is also called Paul) was consenting or approving of Stephen’s death.  He was spearheading the persecution against the followers of Jesus Christ. He ravaged the church, entering into houses and dragging men and women to prison.

In other scriptures we learn he had authority to do all of this from the chief priests.  He not only put them in prison, but compelled them to blaspheme, and gave his vote to put many of them to death.

Of course if you are familiar with the Bible, then you know Paul had a life changing experience on his way to Damascus in pursuit of persecuting even more followers of Jesus. The very man spearheading the persecution converted to Christianity.  Who would have ever thought that was possible?

He Accepted It

Paul accepted what Christ accomplished for all believers, including God’s forgiveness.  He spent the rest of life walking with the power of God, preaching the gospel concerning Jesus Christ, and writing much of the New Testament. Speaking of what God had done for him and in him, he wrote, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

At the end of his life, this man, once a vicious religious terrorist who accepted Christ, and then dedicated his life to reaching others with the gospel, wrote in II Timothy, chapter 4, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Considering Paul, I’m inspired not to prejudge or prequalify anyone from accepting Jesus Christ, even if they are engaged in killing God’s people and the witnesses are laying cloaks at their feet. How about you?

Acts 7:58
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

Acts 8:1-3
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 9:1 and 2
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 22:3-6
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

Acts 26:9-12
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Galatians 1:13
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Acts 9:1-30
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

I Corinthians 9 and 10
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

II Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Mike Verdicchio
2014

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

In the last Eastern Eye post, we looked at a couple of idioms that Jesus used. In that article I said, “An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning owing to its common usage. An idiom’s figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning. Every language and culture has its own idioms.

For example in my culture if someone is not speaking the truth, you might say, “you’re pulling my leg.” Or, if you paid a lot of money for something, you could say, “this item cost me an arm and a leg.”

Perhaps one of the simplest, yet most misunderstood idioms in the Bible is in II Corinthians 12, commonly referred to as “Paul’s thorn in the flesh.” Paul states in that chapter he was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan.” His thorn in the flesh was the messenger of, or from, Satan.

(A side note here: Some teach Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sent by God to keep Paul humble. Yet Scripture is very clear: it was a messenger from Satan. So either Satan is working for God, or, once again, God is blamed for what Satan does.)

In the Old Testament, similar idioms are used to describe people or nations that would potentially be harmful to God’s people. They are referred to as “pricks in your eyes, thorns in your sides, scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes.” Clearly the references were about people.

By reading the book of Acts and the Church Epistles, it is quite obvious to see how badly Paul was treated by various religious people who certainly weren’t sent by the One True God. Today, using idioms from my culture, I would say those people were “a pain in the butt” or “a pain in the neck.” One of the idioms from his culture was “a thorn in the flesh.”

The purpose of Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, was to buffet Paul. Satan was trying to stop Paul from preaching the Gospel. Agents of Satan brought the beatings, the imprisonments, the shipwrecks, and the false brethren.

Paul prayed and asked God three times to get rid of his thorn in the flesh. God’s answer to him was that His grace was sufficient for Paul. While Paul did indeed endure many hardships, there was deliverance after deliverance from our loving God.

Until God sends His Son back, there is evil in this world; from Satan there will be persecutions. But God’s grace to help us in time of need is always there. Always!

II Corinthians 11:24-27
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, inperils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

II Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Mike Verdicchio
2014

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

Understanding the idioms in the Bible can be very helpful in not taking something that is idiomatic literally. One example is something Jesus said we should do. When he said we should pluck out our right eye, did he mean it, literally?

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said if our right eye offends, we should pluck it out and cast it away. That sounds really painful and drastic, wouldn’t you agree? Yet Jesus said to do it.

After that statement he said, “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee.” Again, painful and drastic. But breathe easy, they are both idioms.

An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning owing to its common usage. An idiom’s figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning. Every language and culture has its own idioms.

For example, in my culture, if someone is not speaking the truth, you might say, “you’re pulling my leg.” Or, if you paid a lot of money for something, you could say, “this item cost me an arm and a leg.” Obviously in both cases, they are not literal statements; they are idioms.

In Bible times, “right eye offend you,” was an idiomatic way of saying not to be envious or jealous. The point Jesus was making was to avoid envy and jealousy. When he said, “pluck it out,” those hearing understood he was telling them to control their thinking so as not to be envious.

The idiom brought great emphasis to being determined to not be envious or jealous. Right eye offending is to be envious or jealous. Plucking out the right eye that offends is to absolutely determine you will not be envious or jealous.

When he followed with, “right hand offend you,” that meant to not steal. To show the degree of determination to not steal, he told them to cut it off. Right hand offending is to steal; cutting off the right hand that offends is to absolutely determine you will not steal.

Having an understanding of idioms used in the Bible gives us a clearer picture of what Jesus meant when he said to pluck out your right eye and cut off your right hand. Idioms are grammatical figures of speech that illuminate and emphasize what is written or spoken, and God employed many of them in His written Word.

Matthew 5:29.30
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mike Verdicchio
2014

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

You may be familiar with the record from John’s Gospel of Nicodemus going to see Jesus at night. Many have speculated that he used the cover of darkness so no one would know he had been with Jesus. The culture of Bible times helps us understand why he went to see Jesus at night.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the supreme council, or court, in ancient Israel. There are a number of websites that give information about this council; here is one that is informative.

Nicodemus was also a Pharisee. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law. On many occasions in the Gospels, Jesus directly confronted the Pharisees for their lack of believing the Scriptures, and their hypocrisy.

Why Did He Go See Jesus At Night?

In biblical culture, evening was the time for philosophical discussions. People sought holy men in the evening to discuss deep issues. The Bible never says Nicodemus went at night because he was afraid; he was simply acting according to his culture and seeking answers.

Nicodemus is mentioned in two other places in John’s Gospel. After this visit, he’s mentioned as objecting to the chief priests and other Pharisees judging Jesus prior to a trial. The third mention of this man is in carrying out Jesus’ proper Jewish burial.

It is remarkable what Nicodemus learned the night he visited Jesus. Scripture records Jesus speaking to him about being “born again”, or [born from above] – another birth! Today we often reference what Jesus explained as “the new birth.”

How much more he spoke to Nicodemus that night, we don’t know. But what is recorded in John’s Gospel is electrifying and exciting. While others are recorded as going to Jesus with ulterior motives, Nicodemus was there to learn.

Not in Step with His Colleagues

I’m impressed with Nicodemus because he chose not to follow the crowd. Most of his fellow Pharisees hated Jesus Christ. His fellow Sanhedrin council members condemned Jesus to death. It took courage to not be in step with his colleagues when they were following the wrong path.

Anyone can be swayed by the actions of their friends and the direction of the culture. But, just like Nicodemus, we each choose the path we take, and we are responsible for our choices and actions. Choose wisely!

John 3:1-12
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

John 7:40-53
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

So there was a division among the people because of him.

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

And every man went unto his own house.

John 19:39-40
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Mike Verdicchio
2014

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

Without an understanding of eastern customs, the meaning of a record in Matthew 25 about the five wise and five foolish virgins is a bit difficult to grasp. A little insight about weddings in Bible times sheds some light on this passage. The parable Jesus spoke, recorded in verses 1-12, is about the kingdom of heaven, and it is helpful to understand what a parable is.

The parable begins with ten virgins taking their lamps (torches) to meet the bridegroom. This probably doesn’t sound like any weddings you have ever attended. But in Bible times, they had a number of customs unfamiliar to our culture.

According to Bishop Pillai, the bride’s house was decorated inside and out. Right before the wedding began, the bride’s mother and father would stand outside the door of their home and wait for the arrival of the bridegroom, and the ten virgins. The torches the virgins carried were about 4 or 5 feet long.

Bridesmaids

Similar to our modern day bridesmaids, the ten virgins were part of the wedding party, each performing a specific task for one of the ten days, as the ceremony itself lasted ten days. These ladies were usually relatives of the bride and they arrived at the bride’s house, with their torches and oil for the torches a day before the wedding to help with the decorations.

The wedding itself would begin at midnight. Sometime before then, the virgins would take their unlit torches and oil and wait for the bridegroom at an inn at the gate of the city. When the bridegroom arrived, they lit their torches and then proceeded to the bride’s house, and the wedding ceremony commenced.

In the parable, all ten went out to meet the bridegroom, which would have been at the inn. We also learn that the five foolish virgins did not bring any oil for their torches. When the bridegroom finally arrived, it was time to light the torches and proceed to the bride’s house.

In the parable, the five foolish virgins then exclaimed that they needed oil because they said their torches had gone out. That was untrue, since the torches were not lit until the bridegroom arrived, and we already know they did not bring any oil for their torches.

It’s important to note that those hearing this parable were very familiar with their wedding customs. For a virgin in the wedding party to not bring oil for her torch was indeed a very foolish thing to do.

The wise virgins preserved their oil for their own torches instead of sharing it with the foolish ones. In order for them to enter into the house for the wedding ceremony, they each needed a lit torch. They told the foolish virgins to go and buy some oil.

Buy Oil At Midnight?

One might wonder about buying oil around midnight. In Bible times, weddings were considered sacred. Most shopkeepers lived at their shops, or next to them, and waking a shopkeeper for something that important would be viewed as doing a service to God.

Once the bridegroom arrived at the inn, the ten virgins were to light their torches and then the entire wedding party proceeded to the bride’s house. Upon arriving, the father of the bride, waiting outside, would wash the feet of the bridegroom. Then, just at midnight, everyone would enter the house and the door was shut; no one would enter in once the door was shut.

The Point Of The Parable

Jesus began by saying the kingdom of heaven was like this parable of the ten virgins. Then, at the end of the parable, he told them to watch, because you don’t know the day or the hour when the Son of man comes.

To those hearing this parable, it would have very obvious to them that the 5 virgins who brought no oil were very foolish. The listeners might have had thoughts like, “How could they be so stupid? They knew what they were supposed to do, why did they deliberately refuse?”

The point for them, and it’s true for people today, is to not be foolish! Accept Christ and gain eternal life so you can enter the kingdom of heaven before the door is shut.

MATTHEW 25:1-13:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mike Verdicchio
2014

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

I thought it might be helpful to offer a brief explanation of parables, since many times parables are used in discussions here in the Eastern Eye category. Just like it is important to understand customs, idioms and manners of Bible times, it is also important to understand parables.

A number of years ago someone got rather upset with me because I told him a certain parable Jesus taught recorded in the Scriptures was a story told for illustration. The gentleman was pretty persistent in telling me that if Jesus spoke it, then it was a true story. I tried to explain to him that it was a parable, but he was convinced it was a true story.

A parable is a figure of speech. According to The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, a parable is is used to refer to “a comparing, comparison of one thing with another.” Similarly, Bullinger’s A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament states that the Greek word translated as parable, is “a placing beside, or side by side for the purpose of comparison.”

A parable is a fictitious or made up story designed to teach a lesson through comparison. It conveys the message through comparison or contrast. One benefit of a parable is that it tells a story that is easy to remember. Many times people and things in a parable represent things that are much more important that they seem to be on the surface, and the story imparts an important lesson.

It is sometimes shocking to people when they discover that Jesus taught in parables to actually conceal the meaning. In chapter 13 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus himself explained why he taught the multitudes in parables when the disciples questioned him about it. He told them people’s hearts were waxed gross and their ears were dull of hearing. In other words, they didn’t really have a hunger to know. In contrast, the disciples wanted to learn, and they asked Jesus to explain the parables.

For those who were just curious, hearing a parable was simply a nice story. For those who were seeking truth, they could ask Jesus to explain the truth behind the parables he spoke. For those who truly wanted to know the truth, when Jesus explained a parable, the meaning was no longer concealed; it was revealed.

Two more important points to remember about parables. A parable portrays that one situation is like another; it is not a representation. And thus, the illustration usually refers to a single aspect of the parable; it usually magnifies a single aspect of the message.

And finally, the story must be possible. It must be about someone or some things that could possibly occur. If the story is about an impossibility, then it would be a fable.

Matthew 13:11-17
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them

Mike Verdicchio
2014

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

There is a record in the Gospel of Luke that tells of a woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears. Without understanding the customs of Bible times, one might think she was crying pretty hard. While she was indeed weeping, those were not the tears she used to wash his feet.

The woman in the record was seeking forgiveness and she received it. She brought to Jesus an alabaster box of ointment which she used to anoint his feet. She did this after washing his feet with her tears and drying his feet with her hair.

In that culture you did not go to see a spiritual man empty handed. In the Old Testament you read of instructions to a woman going to see the prophet in which she was supposed to “take ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey.” In another record the instructions to a man were, “Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the man of God…”

The alabaster box of ointment was a costly item, but it didn’t compare to the worth of her tears. And even though she was weeping while carrying out this act of love, how long would it take for her to cry enough tears to wash his feet? The tears she washed his feet were the tears from her tear bottle.

The Tear Bottle

While not common today, keeping tears in a bottle, or a container, has a long history, including during the U.S. Civil War. In Psalm 56, David mentions the tear bottle.

The custom in Bible times was to collect tears of devotion in a container called a tear bottle. It has great significance, so much so that when a person was buried, the tear bottle was buried with him. They believed that any tears shed for a spiritual cause would be rewarded by God.

Thus, their tear bottle was very precious to them. If one’s house is on fire, the tear bottles are saved first! It was a great sacrifice for this woman to wash Jesus’ feet with the tears from her tear bottle.

And then she dried his feet with her hair. In our Western culture, that may sound a bit odd, but in the Bible culture, a woman’s hair is her glory. She was indicating to everyone there that her own glory was good enough only to wash Jesus’ feet.

In other words, she displayed great humility. And then, before she anointed his feet, she kissed them. According to the teachings of Bishop KC Pillai, in the Eastern culture you are allowed to kiss each other on the forehead, the crown of the head, and the cheek. However, a kiss on the feet implies confession of sin, even among men when one has wronged another. Any other kiss would be a display of respect or affection.

This woman came to Jesus with great reverence and humility, seeking forgiveness, and she received forgiveness. Meanwhile, Simon, whose house this event took place in, had derogatory thoughts towards Jesus because he didn’t recognize this woman as a sinner. Simon was a Pharisee and his religious arrogance is greatly contrasted by Jesus’ love and forgiveness for this woman.

Jesus reproved Simon for three things Simon did not do, which were very common for a host to do for a guest. Simon failed to wash Jesus’ feet when he arrived, he did not greet him with a kiss of respect, and he did not anoint Jesus’ head with oil. In our culture it is common to greet a guest coming into our home for dinner and offering them a drink of water.

Forgiveness

After reproving Simon, Jesus said that because of her love, this woman’s sins were forgiven. He told her that her faith (or believing) had saved her and to go in peace.

This woman knew that she was a sinner and she went to Jesus with humility and love, believing who he was, so that she could receive forgiveness. All Simon could see was that she was a sinner and Jesus couldn’t be a prophet because he didn’t even know she was a sinner. Jesus, in contrast to egotistical religious thinking, saw her heart, and did what he always did, the Father’s will, and forgave her.

Today, far too many focus on other people’s sins; they preach on sin, they talk about how bad sin is and how horrible sinners are. It’s all too easy for someone hearing those kinds of messages to become sin conscious and feel unworthy.

But our loving Father is a God of forgiveness. His Son, Jesus Christ paid the price for all sins, and as a result of that full payment, forgiveness is available to you and me. Perhaps instead of a message of how bad sin is, we should share a message of how great forgiveness is!

Luke 7:37-50
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

I Kings 14:3
And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child.

II Kings 8:8
And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

Psalm 56:8,
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalm 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

I Corinthians 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Mike Verdicchio
2013

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

In the last Eastern Eye article, I discussed the parable Jesus spoke about a man waking his neighbor at midnight to borrow three loaves of bread. I pointed out the loaves in Bible times were different than our loaves today. The bread in the Bible was round and flat, like a pancake, about the size and thickness of a plate.

The point of the parable was how to pray, as Jesus then said, “And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.”

This article is a follow up to that record from the Gospel of Luke. Jesus then said to those who were dads if a son asked for bread, would you give him a stone; or a fish, would you give him a serpent; or an egg would you give him a scorpion? Considering those three questions through our western minds one might wonder if Jesus was asking them if they were really, really stupid. He wasn’t.

Bread

Again, the bread in the Bible was round and flat. They stacked these “loaves” on a round stone about the size of the bread and many times they put another flat round stone on top of the bread. Over time, the oil from the bread discolored the stones, and from a distance, they looked like bread. No father would reach over and grab the stone and mistake it for bread and give it to his son.

Fish

In Bible times, they caught quite a variety of fish in their nets, and sometimes more than just fish. The serpents Jesus referred to are water serpents that at a glance could look like a fish. A closer examination would reveal if it was a fish or a water serpent. No dad would be so careless as to not make sure it was indeed a fish before giving it to his son.

Scorpion

Scorpions in Bible times were white, black and brown. A full grown scorpion’s body was shaped like an egg. It was white and yellow on the inside. What father whose son requested an egg would mistakenly give him a scorpion?

After asking these three rhetorical questions, those hearing would answer, “Of course not!” Then, Jesus went on and asked, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him?”

When Jesus said, “you being evil,” he did not mean they were bad people. But on the other hand, none of us are perfect. Jesus once said, “There is none good but one, and that is God.” He was making the point that as a dad, as imperfect as we are, we still give good things to our children and not things that will harm them.

But our loving heavenly Father is the great Giver. Our heavenly Father is good and far surpasses any dad in giving us good things to us when we ask, even to the point of giving the holy spirit.

Having a little understanding of the Biblical culture really opens up this section where Jesus taught about prayer.

Luke 11:9-13
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Mark 10:18
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Mike Verdicchio
2013

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles