Ask a Bible Teacher

Between The Ascension And Pentecost

Published: May 24, 2024
Q

I just can’t seem to get enough of your website. I have learned more in the last few days than I have in the last few years! Blessings upon blessings to you for sharing your wisdom!!

One thing I am wondering is… Why is there 10 days between the ascension of Yeshua and His giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost? Numbers are always significant and so I am wondering what this means or is symbolic of? Why didn’t he send the Holy Spirit right away? Thanks!!


Believing By Faith

Published: May 24, 2024
Q

The thought has crossed my mind as to why New Testament believers are sealed with the Spirit when Old Testament believers were not? It seems we received a great deal. It has certainly humbled me to realize this. Can you help clarify?


More On Forgiveness

Published: May 23, 2024
Q

I know Jesus tells us to forgive others – many many times over. But when I forgive, I also tend to let my guard down and Always end up hurt again. This is a close family member who seems to go out of her way just to say or do something hurtful to me. Is there a way to forgive “smartly”, or am I required to open myself up to be hurt every time? Thank you for your dedication to our Savior. God bless you and your ministry.


Applying The Book Of Ruth

Published: May 23, 2024
Q

A friend recently made the statement that when she married her husband, who was from a small country town which was very different from where she had grown up, it was very hard. She evidently was divorced but told me she tried very hard to live up to the phrase in the Bible that said, I will make your people my people. She was never really accepted in the small town by her husband’s friends and family. My question is, was she interpreting this phrase correctly?


Boaz And Ruth

Published: May 23, 2024
Q

My question is concerning something in the book of Ruth. It became apparent when I was studying that Elimelech left the promised land for Moab which was not in good standing with Israel. Then, his two sons marry Moabites which was even worse. I know this is an obvious example of how when we fail to put our faith in the Lord and his promises we can end up in trouble. However, after Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, we see Boaz end up marrying Ruth. Why would Boaz marry a Moabite? Was it still considered wrong for Boaz to do this?

That brings me to another issue about their children being allowed to enter into the assembly. Doesn’t Deuteronomy say that their decendants (Moabites) never enter in? I know it says to the tenth, but then it says never. Is this a translation issue? Because David is in the line of Ruth and we know he entered in. Any insight you might be able to lend would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your efforts and God bless.


A Mother’s Faith

Published: May 22, 2024
Q

Gods blessings and a heart felt thanks for all you have taught me over the years. Could you please explain Matthew 15:22-28 especially 26-27: “But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.


The Dead Will Rise First

Published: May 22, 2024
Q

In 1Thessalonians 4 when we read of the ‘rapture’ it states that the dead in Christ shall rise first. Why do you suppose this is?

Will it be that the dead will disappear from the earth a millionth of a second before we do or is there something else that our English doesn’t express as well as the Greek?


Appeasing The Evolutionist

Published: May 22, 2024
Q

I think you make a good point about the literal days and the forthright manor that the creation story is told. I’ve always felt that the only reason to search for another angle to the 6 day creation, is to appease the evolutionist. When you think about it, for evolution to have been a convincing theory, you have to tack on infathomable number of years to argue that these changes took place very slowly, especially since nothing resembling Darwinist type evolution has been demonstratable in the history of “modern man”. In addition, one has to ask the question, how many deaths occurred during this God driven evolution before man was complete, when did he add a soul, and wasn’t death the result of sin, not the process to become a fully complete human being?


What’s To Eat?

Published: May 21, 2024
Q

Thank you for your ministry. I learn so much from your answers. I have a question about the Israelites and manna. When they left Egypt they soon complained about being hungry. God provided food for them in the form of quail and manna. Now, in Chapter 16 verse 35 it says that they ate manna for 40 years until they “…..came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.” Other scriptures indicate that they had animals with them. In chapter 24 Moses sacrifices oxen. Later, when God directs Moses to make the Tabernacle, there is an altar for burnt offerings and also a table for the showbread (which was to be made of fine flour).

My question is, if they had animals and grain, why did the need the manna for 40 years? Was it possibly a supplement to their diet, like vitamins? Or did they just have the animals for sacrifices and the flour for grain offerings?

Thank you so much, and may God continue to bless this ministry.


The Olivet Discourse

Published: May 21, 2024
Q

Many scholars teach that the Olivet Discourse was written for the Church, but you say the focus is on Israel. If you’re right why does the Olivet Discourse even appear in Mark and Luke when these two Gospels are mainly Gentile in their focus? Please explain.