Throughout Leviticus, God provides laws that should not have been necessary. In 17:15, He says don’t eat roadkill (tempting, right?): “Every person … who eats an animal that died or was mauled by wild beasts… will be unclean.” God is realistic—He knows people will take things too far and push the boundaries. The same isContinue reading “Boundaries.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Do Not Add a Second Sin to the First.
It is easy for the naïve to assume the best. But God is not naïve. “Jesus knew what was in the heart of man” John 2:25. In situations where well-meaning parents or teachers might think minimal guidance is enough, God spells things out in detail. Consider sexual sin, for example. Most of us think there’sContinue reading “Do Not Add a Second Sin to the First.”
God Knows How to Muck Out Your Hurricane-Ravaged House.
After Hurricane Harvey, I thought I’d seen it all. In my rubber boots I had slogged through a dozen Houston-area houses with water dripping from carpets and insulation. As the sun rose toward noon, you could feel the steam coming out of those swampy damp caverns of mold and moisture. It was interesting, but grossContinue reading “God Knows How to Muck Out Your Hurricane-Ravaged House.”
Quarantine. Leviticus 13 and 14.
As of this morning (2/20/2020), the Coronavirus has reached 24 nations; 75,000 people have been infected; 2,118 have died. Cruise ships returning from China are under 14-day quarantines around the world. China has placed 45M people under quarantine—the largest quarantine in history. Hong Kong announced prison sentences for anyone who violates the quarantine. Researchers traceContinue reading “Quarantine. Leviticus 13 and 14.”
How Do You Start a Nation?
Men who found nations begin by positioning armies at the borders. God begins by telling people WHAT TO EAT! And then? After food, God gives laws addressing dead animals, skin diseases, and mold! So unexpected! As with the well-known dietary laws, God provides “hygiene” laws that would later be confirmed by science. If unclean animalsContinue reading “How Do You Start a Nation?”
God is in the Details.
In the late 1960s, 14,000 workers were dying on the job each year. Combined with disabling injuries and work-related diseases, going to work had become increasingly dangerous. Thus, US politicians drafted the Occupational Safety and Health Act. President Nixon signed the bill into law in 1970 and here’s where it gets interesting … the details.Continue reading “God is in the Details.”
Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.
“Holy” means “other.” God is OTHER than us, He is different, He is perfect. He embodies TOTAL TRUTH and PERFECT PURITY. He must be FEARED and RESPECTED. After a lifetime witnessing miracles, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were ordained as priests through a week-long process of sacrifices. How did they respond? “Now Nadab and AbihuContinue reading “Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.”
Mercy and Holiness.
What if your son treated a loaded gun like a toy? What would you do? Some things require an absolutely sober seriousness, right? It’s not about the child, but the NATURE OF THE OBJECT. Guns, by nature, command sobriety and respect. They are DIFFERENT than other things. They are SET APART. Aaron’s sons brought “unauthorizedContinue reading “Mercy and Holiness.”
Be Not Drunk With Spirits, But Filled With the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.
Few subjects in America are more controversial than alcohol. It is not so in Europe. C.S. Lewis spoke often of “having a pint.” He saw no problem with drinking. But 100 years after Prohibition, Americans remain divided. We outlawed the sale of liquor to address a serious problem. Then we made it legal again becauseContinue reading “Be Not Drunk With Spirits, But Filled With the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.”
New York State of Mind.
New Yorkers are known for being tough, argumentative, even rude—common traits in a densely populated city. But they have another trait that may not seem to fit: they don’t want to get involved. If a purse is stolen, it’s “I didn’t see nuthin,’ I don’t know nuthin.’” No one wants to help. But sometimes justice requiresContinue reading “New York State of Mind.”
Household Words: 