Posted on 04/24/2022 4:47:49 AM PDT by Kaslin
Thanks for joining our study. Today we begin a two-part series on what the Bible says about Satan in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and next week in the New Testament.
First, let's review the various names attributed to "the being" responsible for introducing evil into the world and who is the personification of evil. Most often, he is called Satan or the Devil. A deceiver whose goal is to separate you from God and trick you into sinning against others, yourself, and by default, the Almighty.
In the commentary "What Are Some of the Different Titles of Satan?" author Don Stewart wrote, "Fifty-two times in Scripture this being is designated as Satan." And “the Devil” is "one of the most popular names" but "only appears in the New Testament. " Other biblical names are "The Evil One,” "Tempter,” "Ruler of Demons,” "Deceiver of the Whole World,” "Serpent," and more here.
The Devil is the "serpent" when we make his acquaintance in the third chapter of Genesis — the first book of the Hebrew Bible. We learn that the serpent has a special skill against which we must always be on guard:
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ ” (Genesis: 3:1). Yes, God “really” did say that and He was abundantly clear that Adam and Eve could eat from any tree except “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” or they would “surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
Satan tends to be viewed as a purely evil entity, while in fact he is instead a deceiver who initially appears good to us on the surface. That’s how he is able to fool so many, and why the world seems to march to his drum beat. His brand of “goodness” is of a selfish nature, however. Just as when he convinced Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge, saying that she would be like a god herself if she did. It appealed to her own sense vanity, which we all have an should otherwise guard carefully.
Sounds like the Chairman of the DNC.
The Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen
It’s about a woman and her involvement with the occult and her subsequent coming to Christ.
It’s interesting reading.
I wouldn’t quite say God punished mankind as much as made him aware of the consequences of the sin he gave into.
A fascinating book is called Unseen Realm by Dr. Michael Heisler. He has his doctorate in Hebrew and other Semitic languages. He has a specific book on Demons but Unseen Realms covers it also. He is solid Biblically. He also has a podcast called The Naked Bible. Kinda out of the box of mainstream evangelicalism while holding firm to the gospel.
I wouldn’t quite say God punished mankind as much as made him aware of the consequences of the sin he gave into.
***************************************************
You are correct. Scripture states that God informed them what they brought upon themselves, it wasn’t a form of punishment from Him.
They tried to hide their nakedness with plant leaves. God covered them with animal skins. Could this be an allegory for the first blood sacrifice for sin?
The entire OT is a metaphor and allegory of how God will return the Temple of God to the human spirit where it was meant to be
Yup, the things that some people consider God’s punishment could also be read as God’s warning of the consequences of their sin.
Things like *If you eat, you will die*, and Eve’s increase in pain in childbirth.
They can also be read as warnings from God, as opposed to threats of punitive action on the part of God.
Adam was told directly by the Creator not to ‘eat’ of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, before Eve was formed.. Adam went against the Creator with forewarning.. Adam did not prevent Eve from being seduced, but, willingly participated.. and the party took place in a ‘fig’ grove not an apple orchard.
I’ve read it, too. It is compelling.
The article identifies Joshua in Zechariah as the Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, but if I’m not mistaken, that’s not the right Joshua. Not that there’s nothing meant spiritually to the fact that they have the same name, but it’s pretty much certain that a different Joshua is specifically meant in Zechariah 3, a later high priest. Much later.
“The Joshua of Zechariah 3 was a Levite and descendant of Aaron in post-exilic Jerusalem in approximately 538 B.C. Joshua’s name also appears as ‘Jeshua’ and is listed as one of the first of those returning from Babylon in Nehemiah 7:7: ‘They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah. . . .’”
https://www.gotquestions.org/Joshua-in-Zechariah.html
Still, it’s a good article.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.