O LORD, I cry out to You, hearken to me. I spread my hands toward Your holy dwelling, give ear and grant my request; do not withhold my boon (11QPsa 24:3-5, trans. Wise, Abegg, Cook) Though not regarded as Scripture by most (1), this writing does have a striking image of prayer. The one asking … Continue reading A Psalm from Judea
The Lord is in his holy shrine; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes focus on the needy; his eyelids examine the sons of men (Ps 10:4, NETS, [LXX 10:4 = Hebrew 11:4]). The Lord dwells in heaven. Yet he stoops, he looks down and helps the needy. He observes every good and evil … Continue reading Psalm 11:4—Jot Scriptures
"There are two fundamental benefits of a big picture . . . First, it gives us a way of seeing the world that brings it into focus and allows it to be seen more clearly. Second, a good theory shows how things are interconnected, allowing us to place events and observations within a web of … Continue reading “A Big Picture”: Three Potential Dangers
As the cloud fades and vanishes, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up; he returns no more to his house, nor does his place know him anymore (ESV). Clouds dissipate; they are formed anew. But the same cloud never reappears. When one goes to the grave, they never see their stuff … Continue reading Job 7:9-10—Jot Scriptures
Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind? Let people talk. Sometimes they say things they don't mean. Listen. You don't need to interject right away. Give it time, then you can speak.
While, then, I am aware that the controversy contained in little words is a very great one, in hope of the prize I do not shrink from toil, with the conviction that the discussion will both prove profitable to myself, and that my hearers will be rewarded with no small benefit. Little words can be … Continue reading The Risk of Controversy
But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. Has been revealed so that it may be … Continue reading Daniel 2:30—Jot Scriptures
Cleanse me, O LORD, from evil’s affliction and let it not again return. Let its roots within me dry up, its le[av]es find no sustenance within (11QPsa 24:12-13). This verse comes from one of the writings in the Great Psalms Scroll at Qumran. A reciprocal of sorts to Psalm 1. Let the roots of evil … Continue reading Evil’s Affliction
[A]dmonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them (ESV). Warn the lazy people among you. Lazy how? Not working or pursuing excellence in their work. Warn them, but be patient—building one another up.
"The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, … Continue reading Mark 1:12-15—Jot Scriptures
Brian P. Baucom 