Tag Archives: an angel of death

An Angel of Death or the Godfather?

Posted on August 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Moses highlights a jealous God in Genesis 38. Without much warning, the Lord takes out two of Judah’s sons in a short period of time. As I was trying to comprehend the phrase, “the Lord slew him,” I came to two possible conclusions. Either God sent an angel of death to visit Er and Onan while they were sleeping or this was like a mob hit, commanded and given by God the Father.

Now Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn; her name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord slew him, Genesis 38:6-7.

The Godfather film series began in 1972, spanning 18 years with the finale the Godfather Part III. Many film critics consider the original Godfather movie as one of the best dramas ever written. However, when Moses uses the expression “God slew him,” this isn’t your typical mob hit. Rather, Bible scholars believe Moses is referring to untimely deaths suffered shortly after sinning.

Then Judah told Onan, Marry your brother’s widow; live with her and raise offspring for your brother. 9 But Onan knew that the family would not be his, so when he cohabited with his brother’s widow, he prevented conception, lest he should raise up a child for his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He slew him also, Genesis 38:8-10.

Subsequently, the most logical explanation for the deaths of Er and Onan is that both experienced visitations from an angel of God. If the Lord can cause an angel of death to strike down the first-born male in each Egyptian home prior to Israel’s Exodus out of Egypt, then what happened to Er and Onan seems logical. Like the words of 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, these 6 verses of the Old Testament serve as a warning to avoid doing what’s evil in God’s sight.

by Jay Mankus

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When Donkey Knows Best

Posted on January 30, 2015 by expressyourself4him

As television evolves, the more preposterous ads, shows and slogans become.  Look no further than a time machine powered by Doritos, cologne that serves as a chick magnet and cars that cause a baby to speak their first words.  By the time Sunday evening rolls around, Super Bowl XLIX commercials will likely push the envelope further to a new low.

But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. – Numbers 22:22

The Bible contains its own version of improbable events.  A serpent that walks and talks, seas that turn to solid ground then swallows up an entire army and a man who rises from the dead.  While post-modernists may tend to believe Hollywood more than the authors of the Bible, one of my favorite passages is when a donkey knows best.

Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” – Numbers 22:28

According to a 2013 study, more than 164 million households own a pet.  Although cats and dogs get most of the attention, its not uncommon for country folks to own a donkey.  Own his way to curse Israel, Baalam travels on a donkey with Moabite officials.  However, his donkey encounters an angel of death.  Unseen by Baalam, he begins to beat his donkey, a shocking sight to those who support PETA.  After the third attack, the Lord enables Baalam’s donkey to speak.  Opening the eyes of his master, God allowed Baalam to realize that sometimes donkeys and all animals alike know best.

by Jay Mankus

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