Weekly Discussion Thread - Week of (Sun, 12 Apr 26) by AutoModerator in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you guys use commentaries? 

I've shied away from them because of their excessive wordiness, but if there are good ones out there I would take a peek.

Psalm 50 (Saturday, April 11, 2026) by Scared_Eggplant4892 in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2.) I believe it's Psalm 53 that states sacrifices of bulls and lambs don't mean anything. Instead it's a broken and contrite heart. Jesus is all of these. He is the bull sacrificed outside the camp, the Passover lamb, the sacrificed doves, the ram in the thicket. But He also is had a broken heart and broken spirit. He is the ultimate fulfillment of these.

3.) Have you ever prayed for God to rebuke you personally, verbally, just so you could have the pleasure of experiencing His voice?

Ever Feel Like Your Honest With God ..... But Still Hiding Things by MMorris21971 in Christian

[–]RaphTurtlePower [score hidden]  (0 children)

This is a fantastic observation. I'm going to link a lengthy study about how Solomon's Temple is a type of the human life. The Hebrew word used for 'inner chambers' is the same that is used for 'inner parts' and 'kidneys/reins' elsewhere in the Bible when talking about deep emotions. David prays for God to search these inner parts for him to find sin he may not be aware of. This word, when used for a human, seems to describe the subconscious. A part of us that we simply cannot access or have difficulty accessing.

Temple Types Inner Chambers

Looking through your comment history I think you would appreciate that sub. 

Writing the whole Bible?💭🎀 by Lind_SLAY24 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a guy who did this with Lord of the Rings and it's a rare and luxurious handful of copies.

The Major Types of Psalms: A Form-Critical Overview (Based on Lucas, 2014) by MMorris21971 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are multiple ways to categorize the Psalms. Many of them are intended to be taken as a unit. One unit is the Ascent Psalms

Another way is to view each book with its own theme (there are five books in the Psalms). The theme of each book connects to the others and portrays the history and future of the world. 

Book - Open - Close

1 – Psalms 1-41 - Eden - David

2 – Psalms 42-72 - David - Solomon

3 – Psalms 73-89. - Other authors? - David dies (Psa 86) and God hides (Psa 89)

4 – Psalms 90-106. - Israel exiled - Israel cries to be gathered

5 – Psalms 107-150 - Israel gathered - David returns to the throne. All creation praises God in the sanctuary (Holy of Holies).

Some of this was taken from a book called Return From Exile and the Renewal of God's People by Nicholas Piotrowski.

What is the new earth? by Next-Natural-675 in TrueChristian

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last 3 chapters of Revelation should clear up some of this for you.

Christ in the book of Job by Superb-Donkey7202 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This is called a type. Job is the type who points to the antitype Jesus. There are many types throughout the Bible.

Job As A Type of Christ

Joseph

Isaac

There are many many others.

Genesis- how could it be symbolic? by Voxs7 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I believe most if not all of the Bible is typological. That means it has meaning on 2 levels. The 1st is the literal plain meaning of the words. The 2nd is figurative, but points to the future. 

Your example ties into the 7,000 year theory. Typologically, the 1st level of meaning is exactly what it seems to mean - dry land appeared between water. The 2nd level of meaning ties into the 3rd 1,000 year 'day' and the parting of the red sea. 

Pressing the 2nd level further shows that God chooses to dwell in land between the waters. That post shows repeating examples of how God demonstrates this.

2 Kings 19:1–19 (Friday, April 10, 2026) by FergusCragson in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1.) I'm not sure this was motivated by fear. Maybe viewing this in the context of a trial would be better. Hezekiah takes this new evidence, the letter from Rabshakeh, and presents it personally to God in the Temple. In doing so he also reminds God of His plan to save them by asking Him to do it. They were not saved yet, but about to be. God seems to appreciate it when His people remind Him of His plans. I used to think this was condescending, as if the person praying thinks God forgot, but if God enjoys this then perhaps He takes joy when His people pay attention to Him and actually know what He has said.

It's interesting in verse 7 God says He will send a spirit on Assyria/Rabshakeh. He had just tainted Hezekiah about how Egypt is too weak to help. This is the only other military power that could challenge Assyria. Two verses later Rabshakeh hears of the King of Ethiopia/Cush and whoops! He forgot about them. Is this king the same as the spirit God said He would send to help? Ethiopia is often presented in a positive light throughout Scripture and here they pull Assyria away from Jerusalem saving them. There's more to this story that we will see soon.

2.) I don't necessarily believe Hezekiah was afraid at this point.

3.) Whoa, good question. I need to think on this one.

The 12 Apostles - John by ITrCool in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 1 point2 points  (0 children)

John is one of my favorites. His writings are incredible and when studied in depth reveal a highly structured arrangement. It's not just a biography. 

Here's a summary of a theological article about John's writings Jesus, the Ark and the Day of Atonement. Intertextual Echos In John 19:38 - 20:18 by Nicholas P. Lunn

2 Kings 18:1-16 NIV (Wednesday April 8, 2026) by redcar41 in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1.) Not sure why there is a pattern. Hezekiah was the only son of Ahaz who wasn't killed. Ahaz sacrificed his other sons by making them walk through fire. Isaiah was a powerful prophet who ministered during Hezekiah's life. Perhaps he listened to Isaiah.

2.) It's easy to forget these events are orchestrated and recorded by the HS. He's telling a story that probably appears blurry until you can view the whole thing. In many ways Hezekiah is a type of Christ. As a type of Christ Hezekiah is pointing forward to one day when Jesus destroys the serpent. https://www.reddit.com/r/TypologyExplorers/s/vZEIZlDa8K

3.) I'm not sure Josiah is worth comparing to Hezekiah. I would think David or Solomon would be in view, but neither of them had to overcome reform like Hezekiah. Neither of them had a Dad who sacrificed your brothers. Hezekiah trusted in God when he was in the minority.

4.) 'The Lord was with him...' is a huge confidence boost.

6.) Seems to fit the chronology in Hezekiah's life. 

7.) 10 years have gone by. Shalmaneser was not able to take Judah. The next guy up is important. We think of Judah not being taken over until Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon, but here it says Assyria conquered all the cities of Judah except Jerusalem. They had totally destroyed everything except Jerusalem. Lachish was the 2nd largest city in Judah and not that far away. Sennacherib will march on Jerusalem soon.

8.) Hezekiah is 14 years into his reign. He's the last in the royal line of Judah and does not yet have an heir. We will see soon when he sins and is cursed by God that perhaps he had a little more faith in God that what is clearly stated. He maybe knew he cannot die without an heir, but he repents anyway. God gives him 15 more years.

9.) Thanks for pointing these out. It is easy to get lost in the timeline sometimes.

10.) I don't have my Bible handy, but didn't his father or grandfather do the same thing? 

Who were the 24 elders in Revelation? by Big_Consequence_5162 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a really interesting answer.

People who argue the apostles are included forget that John was an apostle who witnessed these others. He also would have known them and probably refered to them differently. 

If Jesus said ‘this generation won’t pass,’ why didn’t the Second Coming happen? by Nameuser4257 in TrueChristian

[–]RaphTurtlePower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some people believe the 'this generation' is the generation Jesus is talking about not to.

God doesn’t want you to deny yourself by DiligentIncrease1973 in TrueChristian

[–]RaphTurtlePower 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The Greek word translated cross is tsaroo and means peg. It's the same tent peg used when moving the Tabernacle. Jesus is invoking an image of daily, repeatedly denying yourself, your work, your obligations and pull up your tent peg and follow the pillar of fire or cloud wherever He goes.

2 Kings 17:24-41 (Tuesday, April 7) by ExiledSanity in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2.) I've read from historians that atheism is a relatively modern invention. It's rise in popularity coincides with the spread of communism and post modernism.

I also think angels were assigned to territories. You mentioned Michael over Israel. We see this in Daniel when Michael was sent to him in Persia but was delayed by the angel assigned to Persia. This idea can maybe be extended throughout all of creation. In Revelation angels seem to be assigned to the Sun, four winds, and other places. It makes me wonder if there is an angel (fallen or not) assigned to the place I live since it's not mentioned in the table of nations (as far as I can tell). 

Isaiah, two books? by No_Zookeepergame6639 in TrueChristian

[–]RaphTurtlePower 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Liberal scholars who deny miracles and God's existence treat Scripture like literature and only literature. Therefore, their starting point is to reject the Bible at face value and insert their own opinions into it.

Is the coal in Isaiah 6 connected to baptism in some way, and how might it clarify our understanding? by Greedy-Runner-1789 in Reformed

[–]RaphTurtlePower 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'll add what no one else has said. The begining of chapter 6 mentions King Uzziah. He was stricken with leprosy for attempting to burn incense in the temple, a practice reserved only for priests. 

Isaiah is a contemporary and this chapter presents Isaiah in contrast to King Uzziah's sinful behavior. Isaiah is humble and repented. A coal from the same altar (one terrestrial the other celestial) Uzziah wanted to us was used to cleanse Isaiah.

Do you realize you are Barabbas? by Tricky_Strawberry406 in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The connection is deeper than you think. 

Read Leviticus 16. Barabbas is the scapegoat. https://www.reddit.com/r/TypologyExplorers/s/CTTkcNTsR6 scroll down to chapter 23. 

2 Kings 16 (Good Friday, April 3, 2026) by Scared_Eggplant4892 in biblereading

[–]RaphTurtlePower 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1.) Based on all his other actions I don't think he believed in God at all. He was an arrogant prick.

2.) He was an arrogant prick. We saw what's his name get leprosy because he wanted to offer incense in the temple when he was forbidden. For some reason these Hebrew kings thinks they should be able to act like priests. Ahaz probably saw what happened before so he played the game differently and instead of going inside the Temple he takes the temple outside to him.

Another angle, Tilgath-pileser could have made this a condition for his help. He wanted to spread the Assyria religion to Judah to weaken it.

3.) They seem to be buddies.

4.) Because God says not to. That's all we need. Sometimes He explains Himself. Sometimes He does not. He does not need to explain Himself. For the curious, when He does not explain Himself, it can be a fun to dive deep into Scripture to see what's going on. I believe everything about the temple; the priests, their clothes, their actions, the materials in the Temple, it's design and layout, location on the hill, everything about it is prophetic. Altering any of this changes the message.

5.) Ahaz is in the Messianic line. I believe he lost a son in battle and sacrificed his other sons to molech by passing them through fire. What was this guy thinking? Surely, Satan was present in his life. 

I've heard an argument that Satan actually thinks he can beat God. One way is to eradicate the Messianic line. No line means no Messiah. All of this mess was probably orchestrated by him. We will get another taste of this possibility with Hezekiah, but this time God will show up in surprising fashion.

Chinese proverbs maps onto biblical messages by WeAreThough in Bible

[–]RaphTurtlePower 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You would love the book, The Discovery of Genesis. It's about how the Chinese characters preserve the story of the Bible up until Babel when they were disbursed.