...We Answer

Not every answer might comply with everybody's way of seeing things. Then I kindly ask you to hold it with Paul, who said in 1 Corinthians 13 that we now see in part. All of us answering here, stick to the basic faith statements as defined in the Apostle's Creed, yet further to that we know that there are also Biblical topics not related to salvation itself, that different people understand and see differently. So please keep this in mind in case you "stumble" over a certain answer - we would like you to be blessed by the challenge of different aspects!

Answer Set 19

Question: Isaiah 7:15 says, "Butter and honey shall he eat". What does it mean?

Answer from Polly: God told the prophet Isaiah to go meet the king, Ahaz and tell him all the things that were to come concerning Judah. As a means of strengthening his faith, Ahaz was told to ask the Lord for a sign, an attesting miracle that would confirm God's Word. Ahaz refused to request a sign, saying he would not test God (Deuteronomy 6:16, Isaiah 7:12). By rejecting the offer of a sign from God's messenger, was in effect rejecting the One who sent the prophet and he was testing the Lord's patience (Isaiah 7:13). God would give him a sign anyway; a boy named Immanuel to be born of a virgin, raised in a time of national calamity and eat curds and honey (Isaiah 7:14-16).

From Ahaz's day on, Judah was troubled by the Assyrian Empire to which it had to pay a large tribute. Then in Hezekiah's reign Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah. Judah would experience deprivation and humiliation. Assyria, like a razor, would shave Judah's hair. In the ancient Near East shaving one's hair and beard was a sign of humiliation or deep distress (Isaiah 7:20, Job 1:20, Isaiah 15:2, Jeremiah 47:5, Ezekiel 7:18). The abundance of milk was a distressful factor, not a good one. With many animals dying, a farmer's young cow and two goats would have no young to nurse, and so the milk (and curds-butter from it) would be plentiful for the people. Honey would also be abundant because wild flowers would grow in the desolate fields and bee swarms would be more plentiful. All this would fulfill the sign given Ahaz by Isaiah in 7:15.

Question: Where in Psalms does the Bible say the word of God will not change?

Answer from Polly: I believe the Scripture you are looking for is Psalm 119:89, New International Version; "Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the Heavens". Other references to this fact are found in Psalm 110:4; "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind"; 1st Peter 1:25; "The Word of the Lord stands forever"; Malachi 3:6; "I the Lord do not change"; Matthew 24:35; "Heaven and earth will pass away but my Words will never pass away".

Question: In one of my youth group lessons, I would like to highlight some of the MANY supernatural events that God performs to show his power and authority. I have Ezekiel, where God brings the bones back to life and makes them a mighty army, all the events he uses to free the Israelites from Egypt, Daniel in the lion's den, and Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo in the fire. I know there are so many more, I'm just having trouble remembering where to look.

Answer from Polly: God's supernatural power and authority starts in Genesis 1:1; "In the beginning God created" and ends with Revelation 22:20; "Yes, I am coming soon"! I will list a few of the "in-between-miracles" here for you to work with. Noah's Ark and the flood (Genesis chapters 6 & &); The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9); Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26); Moses and the Burning Bush (Genesis 3:1-6); The parting of the Red Sea (Genesis 14:16, 21-22); Joshua and the parting of the Jordan waters (Joshua 3:13-17); Gideon's sign from God (Judges 6:17, 37, 39); David and Goliath (1st Samuel 17:32, 45, 48-50); Elijah's sacrifice (1st Kings 18:25-39); Elijah and the whirlwind (2nd Kings 2:1, 11). Going into the New Testament we have Jesus Christ being born of a Virgin; the greatest show of divine power in the history of the world (Matthew 1:18), His death on the Cross (Matthew 27:50) and His Resurrection (Matthew 28:7). The only book in the Bible where the name of God is not written is the Book of Esther; however the story is filled with His presence.

Question: Does the Bible, or did Jesus ever talk about giving respect to fellow Christians or respect to everyone?

Answer from Polly: Respect is more than good manners. Respect means you honor those around you and showing respect includes honesty with compassion, which Jesus Christ showed to the woman at the well (John 4:16-18, 39). Jesus said; "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). This statement would include the fact that when you show respect for others then you are showing respect for Jesus Christ. Peter writes to submit (respect/honor) for the Lord's sake to every authority whether it be men, kings, governors or someone sent to punish those who do wrong. Show proper respect to everyone, fear God and honor the king. Submit yourselves to your masters (bosses/managers/overseers) with all respect, not only to those who are good but also to those who are harsh (1 Peter 2:13-18). He adds to be submissive (respectable) to those who are older (1 Peter 5:5); corresponding to a passage taken from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:32).

The Ten Commandments teach us to honor and respect God, the name of the Lord, the Sabbath Day, our father and mother and the life, privacy and reputation of those around us (Exodus 20:3-17). Respect does not lie (Colossians 3:9); respect forgives as the Lord forgives (Colossians 3:13); is required in deacons and their wives (1 Timothy 3:1-11). Those who rebel against (disrespect) authority are rebelling against what God has instituted (Romans 13:1-5). The wife is to respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33); respect your earthly masters and serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving God and masters should treat the slaves with the same respect (Ephesians 6:5-9). Honor and respect one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10-17), remembering that Jesus said that the measure you use will be measured to you (Luke 6:37-38).

Question: I will like to know which chapter of the bible is most based on prayer that I can read a chapter from it every day. God bless you I will be looking for the response soon. Thank you for making things like this that we can learn from.

Answer from Polly: The Book of Psalm is my favorite "prayer book". This praise filled book will lead you to knowing God through David's eyes and give you hours of comfort knowing that God is your shield (Psalm 3:3). You will sleep in peace knowing that you dwell in safety with the Lord (Psalm 4:8); He always hears your voice (Psalm 5:3) and shows great mercy (Psalm 6:9). From your mother's womb He has been your God and is never far from you (Psalm 22:9-11). And of course, my favorite of the Psalms would be the 23rd and is a comfort to read any time of the day or night that you find yourself discouraged. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7) and the Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). God is your refuge and strength; an ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Question: Does God speak to believers in the New Testament through angels?

Answer from Polly: If you are asking if God spoke through angels that lived in the New Testament time the answer is yes, many times. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah to say that his wife Elizabeth would bear a child and name him John (John the Baptist - Luke 1:11-17). This angel even identified himself as the angel Gabriel who stood in the presence of God (Luke 1:19). Gabriel also was sent by God to Nazareth to a virgin named Mary to tell her she would be "with child" and name Him Jesus (Luke 1:26-33). The angel appeared to the shepherds to announce the Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9-12). And of course the angels were at the opened tomb (Luke 24:1-8). The angels attended Jesus after the devil tempted Him (Matthew 4:11).

If you are asking if God still speaks through angels to us living here on earth at this time, then the answer is yes. "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14); "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).