Another important feature in ancient treatises is the preservation of the treaty documents. This is done in several ways. One is what is called a “documentary curse,” which is a statement within the treaty that says all the curses found within it will be executed upon anyone who adds or takes away any portion of…
Read MoreDeuteronomy for Asian Americans, Part 5 (Sanctions)
Sanctions: Covenantal Blessing and Curse Within the ancient treatise are found an elaborate series of covenantal sanctions, i.e., blessings and curses. If the covenantal parties conform to the stipulations of the treaty, there is blessing. If, however, they violate those stipulations, there is curse. Deuteronomy has a rather extensive section on covenant sanctions, chapters 27-30.…
Read MoreDeuteronomy for Asian Americans, Part 4 (Stipulations)
Stipulations: Covenantal Life In the literary order of an ancient treaty, once the identity of the great suzerain is established (preamble) and his major achievements have been described (historical prologue), then the demands upon the vassal are made (i.e. commandments). The rationale for this order is clear: in light of who the suzerain is…
Read MoreDeuteronomy for Asian American Christians, Part 3 (Historical Prologue)
Historical Prologue: The Works of God We move from the Preamble to the Historical Prologue, where the great suzerain describes his great accomplishments. The purpose of this is to instill a proper motive for the vassal to conform to the covenantal stipulations that follows. In other words, in light of all the major things the…
Read MoreDeuteronomy for Asian American Christians, Part 2 (Preamble)
Preamble: The Name of God We begin by focusing our thoughts on the first section of Deuteronomy, namely the preamble. In the ancient world, this is where the great king (the suzerain) establishes his covenantal relationship with a vassal by revealing his name. In Deuteronomy 1:1-4, this is done when the Lord reveals to Israel…
Read MoreDeuteronomy for Asian American Christians: Intro (Part 1 of 8)
The Book of Deuteronomy is extraordinary. I’ve been studying, teaching, and writing about this book for many years. Each time I read it, I’m reminded of how it is packed with so much spiritual vitality and wisdom. It was written during a time of transition for the ancient people of Israel. After the Lord…
Read More12 Ways to Keep Up the Biblical Languages
I teach Biblical Hebrew at Reformed Theological Seminary. Usually, after the completion of Introduction to Biblical Hebrew course, that is when I’m asked this question: how can I keep up my language skills and not forget everything? If I received a nickel every time I was asked this question, I would have enough money to….OK,…
Read MoreFellowship with the True Jeremiah: Words of Encouragement for My Fellow Pastors
The prophet Jeremiah had it rough. In many ways all the Old Testament prophets did. Look at what they were called to do: go to the people and tell them that they are sinning against the Lord. If they do not change their ways and repent of their sins, then the Lord will bring the…
Read MoreSad Songs Don’t Say Everything, Part 3 of 3
I wrote two earlier pieces about the numerous laments psalms and how they can be a blessing for God’s people (Sad Songs Say So Much, Parts 1 and 2). The first described the ways in which we can read them for our encouragement. The second was my personal call for the church to utilize these…
Read More“Sad songs say so much” Part 2
Psalms of praise are wonderful. In light of the torrents of suffering we endure, we fight to maintain a hope that can only be found in the Sovereign Lord. Praises help us do that. However, Walter Brueggemann comments that while it is definitely admirable that the church strives to sustain hope in a fallen…
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Redeeming Chillingworth 