A BIBLE COMPANION, VOLUME 3
by Richard Burkard
For an introduction and explanation of this series, see Volume 1.
DEUTERONOMY
DEUTERONOMY 1
The Bible Reading Program explains the "repetition of the law" in this book by claiming: "the Ten Commandments, for instance, were already in force since the creation of Adam and Eve (compare Romans 5:12-13)." Then how do we explain Romans 5:14 -- about death being "over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam" ?! (NIV)
B.R.P. cites Genesis 26:5, with Abraham keeping God's commands and laws. Were the laws and commands kept by Abraham necessarily the same as the ones presented in Exodus?
B.R.P. declares Jesus "only spoke what the Father told Him to speak (John 8:26; 15:15)." Was every word of Jesus what God the Father inspired -- even in His formative years?
Isn't Moses guilty of blame-shifting in 1:37 -- blaming God's anger with him on Israel, more than his own mistake?
2024 UPDATE: Did Moses also shift blame from God to the people, when it came to who was responsible for scouting the land (1:21-23 v. Numbers 13:1-3)?
DEUTERONOMY 2
Were parenthetical comments such as 2:20-23 added after Moses's sermon by himself, or someone else?
DEUTERONOMY 4
Based on 4:12, B.R.P. declares: "the fact that God does have form is clearly stated in Numbers 12:6-8.... Both the Father's and the Son's glorified appearance are described in the Bible (compare Daniel 7:9, 13; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 1:12-16; 4:2-3; 5:1)" But passages about "God's form" in Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation are visions -- so how can we know they are accurate portrayals of how God appears? (We don't say the beast in Daniel 7 are accurate portrayals, for instance -- nor a sword in his mouth in Rev. 1:16.)
DEUTERONOMY 6
B.R.P. says "one" in 6:4 "could be understood as one in priority-meaning God is to be first, the highest priority, in our lives." Are there other O.T. examples of "one" meaning "first?"
B.R.P. claims "Israel did not know about the Father." Yet "Father" is mentioned in reference to God several times in the Old Testament: see Psm. 89:26, 103:13; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Jer. 31:9, Mal. 2:10.
Why should 6:8 be understood as metaphor, as B.R.P. contends, when the verses around it (vs. 7, 9, etc.) are to be considered literal?
B.R.P. refers to Isaiah 42:21 in mentioning "Christ's teachings in the New Testament-a magnification of the law...." Is that verse a prophecy of Christ -- or really a condemnation of Israel for disobeying God?
Does God "just soak up" our adoration, as B.R.P. claims in this chapter -- or does He respond to it in love, back toward the adoring?
B.R.P. claims: "If everyone instead set their affections on Him-the God of love-above all others, there would be perfect peace and happiness throughout the world." Doesn't the presence of various denominations show "setting affections" on God does NOT bring perfect peace now?
B.R.P. uses 6:25 to argue commandment-keeping brings righteousness. But is not JESUS "our righteousness" in the New Testament era? (I Cor. 1:30; I Jhn. 2:1)
Are we to practice "obedience to the faith," as B.R.P. notes in this chapter citing Romans 1:5 in the King James Version? Or does obedience "come from" faith, as the New International Version puts the same verse?
DEUTERONOMY 7
B.R.P. cites I Corinthians 7:39 in this chapter to declare, "Paul makes it clear that a Christian is not to marry a person of a different faith." What does "different faith" mean in terms of marriage? A non-Christian? A non-Sabbatarian? A non-United Church of God member?
Is there a distinction between "national Israel" fighting in the Old Testament and individuals fighting in the New Testament? Was any soldier told in the New Testament not to fight for his country anymore? How could some UCG Pastors endorse an attack on Saudi Arabia, given the verses cited in this chapter?
What is the "covenant of love" in 7:9, 12? Is it the Old Covenant in full? The Ten Commandments?
DEUTERONOMY 10
If we are to love strangers, as 10:19 says, why do Churches of God sometimes make it quite difficult for "strangers" to attend their services -- as in non-members?
DEUTERONOMY 11
Does the "love of God" mean the same thing as commandment keeping, as B.R.P. indicates based on 11:1, 13, 22? Is it concern for others? Is it both?
Why were the blessings and cursings proclaimed on separate mountains (11:29)?
DEUTERONOMY 12
B.R.P. says in this chapter: "Evergreen trees were employed as idols of Ashtoreth-such trees being referred to as asherah in the Hebrew Bible. " Were "Asherah poles" more like totem poles, or simply trees?
B.R.P. uses Jeremiah 7:18 to condemn "Easter cakes" to the "queen of heaven." Should not ALL cakes be declared wrong, based on this verse? How do we know these cakes were simply for Easter? Are wood-gathering and fire-lighting wrong as well? What about incense burning (Jer. 44:17)? Who is the UCG to declare people are making things for Tammuz, when they may truly believe they're doing it for God?
B.R.P. cites Ezekiel 8:13-17 to declare "sunrise services (in honor of Tammuz) are clearly condemned in the Bible." How do we know this worship was at sunrise? If the people had prayed toward the temple at sunrise, would that have been rejected as well because of the time of day?
Can today's Church of God declare unclean things holy, and have God accept that under the "binding and loosing" principle (Mt. 16:19)? Or is holiness limited only to what God declared holy long ago? (If so, explain I Corinthians 7:14.)
Does 12:6, 11 imply tithes should all be carried to a single place only at Feast time?
Has the UCG and other Churches of God "added to and taken away from" the commandments, when it comes to "tithe of the tithe" and third tithe (12:32)?
DEUTERONOMY 13
Presuming 13:6-11 refers to separation, as B.R.P. says, how far does a Christian separate from worldly influences in light of John 17:14-18?
Why kill the livestock of someone who encourages worshipping other gods (13:15)? Is there a "golden calf" parallel here?
DEUTERONOMY 14
B.R.P. says in this chapter: "Birds like hawks and ostriches are unclean-and so are their eggs." Where in the Bible does it say eggs of unclean animals are also unclean? (Does the "dead carcass" principle apply, if it was never hatched? Does Isa. 59:5 apply here?)
B.R.P. declares 14:21 a "ritual law." Is UCG suggesting ritual laws do not apply today? If so, what is the basis for this standard?
In light of 14:29, why does UCG now turn the third tithe principle to say the government is collecting it? (Along with the title of gross income, vs. net income.)
DEUTERONOMY 15
Does 15:6 authorize the sort of international lending Church of God ministers have criticized over the years?
DEUTERONOMY 16
B.R.P. says concerning this chapter: "The sacrifices that God later added to accompany these feasts are no longer in effect." Yet no scripture reference is given, so where does the Bible indicate the sacrifices have been revoked?
Doesn't the location change of Passover (noted by B.R.P. in 16:5 away from homes) show God CAN change?
Does 16:1-8 indicate Passover occurs on the first night of Unleavened Bread?
DEUTERONOMY 17
B.R.P. contends in this chapter: "True Christians.... do not administer civil judgment over the governments of this world (see 2 Corinthians 3:6-7)." How do these verses prove that claim?
B.R.P. cites Revelation 20:4 in this chapter, concerning the coming Kingdom of God. Does this verse indicate souls can be resurrected?
DEUTERONOMY 18
Could Moses's promise of a prophet in 18:15-19 have applied to O.T. prophets as well as Jesus?
B.R.P. calls Jesus in this chapter "an Announcer of God's law...." How did Jesus announce it -- especially when He never apparently mentioned a few points of it?
DEUTERONOMY 19
BR.P. cites 19:4, 6, 11 to claim: "if the perpetrator hated the victim in the past, he had to be executed...." How far back could the hatred exist for executions to be valid? If forgiveness occurred between a hateful act and an unintentional death, was that sufficient?
B.R.P. declares in this chapter the "New Testament dispensation" instructs Christian is "not to kill or harm anyone (Romans 13:9-10) or seek vengeance in any manner (Matthew 5:38-39; Romans 12:19)." But the passages cited in Romans 12-13 quote directly from the OLD Testament! What's different, besides Matthew 5? (And if a Christian is "not to kill anyone," how do the Churches of God justify the death penalty today?)
Why did Moses say, "IF the Lord.... enlarges your territory...." in 19:8 -- especially since he points out enlargment was "promised on oath?" Was there still doubt Israel would obey?
Doesn't 19:15 combined with Acts 1:8 to show Christians SHOULD speak a testimony of Christ?
DEUTERONOMY 20
B.E.P. explains 20:11 as meaning: "Such cities were to pay tribute, essentially a tax, and "serve" Israel-not in slavery but to remain in peace and harmony with Israel...." Doesn't a "tributary" mean forced labor, as NIV, Moffatt and Strong's Concordance indicate? (CEV actually uses "slaves.")
Are the principles of warfare mentioned in this chapter applicable for the U.S. situation today? If not, why not?
Why was God concerned about women and children corrupting Israel in "promised land" cities (20:17-18) -- but seemingly not in other opposing cities? (20:13-14)
DEUTERONOMY 21
B.R.P. says the requirements of 21:12-13 imply a woman had to accept Israel's God, "showing that the woman had come under the authority of the husband." Wasn't it also a test of how much a man really loved his bride-to-be -- loving her with all "physical attractions" removed?
Was the penalty of hanging (implied in 21:22-23) enforced in ancient Israel? The New Bible Commentary: Revised says no.
DEUTERONOMY 22
B.R.P. says 22:5 "does not forbid unisex fashions-that is, attire that is culturally acceptable for both men and women to wear." Is this based on cultural acceptance of an item of clothing -- or what God considers acceptable?
B.R.P. suggests 22:11 is an item-specific instruction, - "the mixing of wool and linen is really the issue here...." Is it as specific as "wool and linen" (KJV)? Or does it refer to ANY clothing "woven of two kinds of material" (Lev. 19:19, NIV/CEV/Moffatt)?
DEUTERONOMY 23
B.R.P. declares 23:1-8 do not apply to the modern-day Church of God, based on Matthew 5. Could not Matthew 5 be mutually exclusive of Deuteronomy 23 -- that Christians can love Moabites and make peace with them, while still denying access to the assembly (23:3)?
B.R.P. says in this chapter: "True Christians may be from any nation...." Is this concept based on Acts 15? If so, are the restrictions in Acts 15:28-29 the only ones that apply to them?
Are "nocturnal emissions" (23:10-11) and masturbation the same thing in this context?
How can God "turn away" from believers (23:14), if Jesus has promised never to leave them or forsake them? (Deut. 31:6/Heb. 13:5)
Quoting B.R.P.: "Verses 19-20 forbid charging interest of a poor brother...." How does the UCG extract "poor" brother from these verses? When was the understanding of usury in business transactions established?
DEUTERONOMY 24
B.R.P. states concerning 24:1-3: "For converted Christians, only a few valid reasons for divorce exist-such as fraud before marriage...." Where does the Bible speak of pre-marital fraud as an acceptable excuse for divorce? It's not in Matt. 19:3-9 or I Cor. 7:12-14, which B.R.P. references.
B.R.P. declares the law about taking back a remarried wife (24:4) "is still valid today." How do we know the "first husband take-back" law still applies now, if Jesus never mentioned it?
DEUTERONOMY 25
B.R.P. suggests regarding 25:1-3 it might not be humane to lock up convicted criminals "in a tiny cell, caging him like an animal." Isn't the "tiny cell" principle for criminals in effect to some extent, through the order for cities of refuge?
How does I Cor. 7:12-15 tie in with 7:39, on the issue of "Levirate marriage" (25:5-10), which B.R.P. says does not apply today?
Is there spiritual significance in the warning about the Amalekites and the laggards (25:17-18)?
DEUTERONOMY 26
Is the "special blessing" described in 26:12-15 only for people who practice third tithe?
Why are the firstfruits of soil acceptable in the promised land (26:2-4), when they were NOT allowed from Cain?
DEUTERONOMY 27
B.R.P. cites II Cor. 3:7 "the ministry of death" in relationship with 27:1-8, and claims it "refers to the civil law code which administered the penalties." Does it refer to the civil code, or to "the words of this law" itself (27:3)?
Still referring to II Cor. 3:7, B.R.P. says "ministry" is known in modern vernacular as "administration." But doesn't "ministry" better refer to acts of service, based on Strong's Concordance Gk. #1248?
B.R.P. cites Rom. 13:1-4 to claim, "The Church today is not to carry out the death penalty. This is the job of civil authorities...." How does Romans 13 show civil authorities specifically are to enforce the death penalty, as opposed to "governing authorities" who might be in the Church?
B.R.P. again turns to II Corinthians and declares: "the ministry of the Church is to preach reconciliation and eternal life...." Is this sort of preaching different from the Gospel of the Kingdom -- or perhaps part of it?
Why do Churches of God not respond with "amen" during services now, the way Israel did it in 27:15-26?
DEUTERONOMY 28
If people can be "blessed in the city" (28:3), does that mean God does NOT hate cities after all -- as some Church of God ministers have implied in Feast messages?
DEUTERONOMY 29
Is this chapter a renewing of the earlier-stated covenant, as the NIV's heading and New Bible Commentary: Revised indicate? Does the "besides/in addition to" in 29:1 refer to earlier statements of that single covenant?
B.R.P. claims in this chapter: "God made at least three covenants with the entire nation of Israel in the book of Exodus, not just one, as some have erroneously concluded (compare Exodus 24:1-8; 31:12-18; 34:10, 27)." Are not the covenant statements of Exodus 31 and 34 parts of the overall larger covenant of Exodus 24?
DEUTERONOMY 31
Why isn't the law read at Church of God Feast sites today, following the command of 31:9-13?
DEUTERONOMY 32
Do the "inheritances and boundaries" mentioned in 32:8 go back to Adam at creation, as B.R.P. suggests -- or do they go back to Noah after the flood, or the tower of Babel?
DEUTERONOMY 33
B.R.P. indicates 33:7 refers to the modern-day nation of Israel. But is the part about Judah "with his own hands.... defends his cause" (NIV) make this claim accurate, given the USA's substantial support for Israel today?
Does the statement of 33:24 in NIV: "Most blessed of sons is Asher...." indicate that tribe should have primacy above Joseph's? (Or perhaps Naphtali in 33:23?)
JOSHUA
JOSHUA 1
B.R.P. compares 1:13-15 with Hebrews 3-4, saying the latter "specifically compares the entry and settling of the physical Promised Land with resting on God's weekly Sabbath...." Is Hebrews 4 speaking of a weekly Sabbath, in the midst/context of a millennial one?
Was Joshua a nervous wimp -- and is that why God kept telling him to be strong and courageous (1:7, 9, 18)?
JOSHUA 2
Was Rahab's "faith in the true God and His power" (as B.R.P. puts it) based mostly on selfishness -- to "save her own hide?"
If faith is expressed by works (Jms. 2:18), is this not an example of God deciding good works outweigh bad ones?
JOSHUA 5
Were the uncircumcised Israelites allowed to "celebrate" the Passover in 5:10-12 or even before, without participating in it? (Ex. 12:47) Were the "after-the-fact" instructions to Moses meant for after Israel reached the promised land?
If spiritual circumcision is "not by the written code" (Rom. 2:29), does that mean repentance is sufficient today?
JOSHUA 6
How do we know Jericho measured one mile around, as B.R.P. claims?
B.R.P. cites Gen. 19:3 in this chapter to suggest Sdom and Gomorrah may have been destroyed during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Does the serving of bread without leaven occur only during those days -- or could this represent a presentation of "sinless" bread to sinless guests?
JOSHUA 7
Why did God change the plunder rules from Joshua 6:19 to Joshua 8:2? Was it because God decided the greed of Achan could not be stopped? Was it in mercy, for Israel's obedient reaction in punishing sin?
How did Achan's confession in 7:19 give "glory to the Lord" as well as praise? By proving God's accusation and punishment were right?
JOSHUA 8
Did Joshua transcribe all 613 points of the law in 8:32?
JOSHUA 10
B.R.P. uses 10:1 and Gen. 14:18-20 to suggest "King Melchizedek" could have been king of Jerusalem in Abraham's time. If so, how did rulership of Jerusalem pass from "Jesus" (Heb. 7:1-4) to a human King? Did Melchizedek take a wife or have a family relationship, to make this possible?
B.R.P. suggests in this chapter the Jebusites may at one time have had "Christ among them in the days of Abraham...." If they did, could this be where God "borrowed" the idea for festivals and Holy Days -- from a place where they were set up already?
JOSHUA 11
Regarding the conquest in 11:14-15, B.R.P. says: "letting 'nothing that breathes remain alive'.... applied only to human beings, not to the livestock, which Israel was permitted to keep...." But we ren't the livestock eventually killed, anyway -- for sacrifices and meat?
JOSHUA 13
Is Joshua 13:1 proof that an "aging ministry" which concerns UCG so much still can do great things for God?
JOSHUA 14
B.R.P. offers the following math in this chapter: "Caleb was 40 years old one year after the Exodus (Joshua 14:7). So six years have elapsed since the entry into the Promised Land (verse 10). Adding the 40 years wandering in the wilderness, this means that Caleb was 86 years old at this time." Why doesn't B.R.P. accept Caleb's own statement in verse 10 that he's 85, not 86?!
JOSHUA 15
B.R.P. says in 15:15 Caleb retook Debir, which "had originally been taken by Joshua (10:38-39) but had evidently fallen back into the hands of the Canaanites." How could the Canaanites have reclaimed Debir if everyone there was killed earlier?
Why didn't Othniel ask for the springs himself in 15:18-19 -- going through his wife (Caleb's daughter) to do it instead?
JOSHUA 18
Does 18:3 indicate the Israelites were scared (or lazy) about taking control of their own land?
JOSHUA 22
Does 22:5 establish a distinction between "commandment" and "law" in what God gave Israel?
Was the war party (and western Israel in general) guilty of presumptuousness in 22:15-20?
JOSHUA 23
Did Joshua overspeak his power of conquest in 23:4?
JOSHUA 24
B.R.P. cites the Nelson Study Bible to claim to note 24:29 was the "first reference to Joshua as the servant of the Lord...." But doesn't Joshua call HIMSELF the Lord's servant in 5:14?
Did Joshua overspeak in 24:19 by claiming God "will not forgive your rebellion and your sins" ?! Was he using a form of motivational speaking, to "work up the crowd" to be more enthusiastic?
VOLUME 2: Leviticus-Numbers
VOLUME 4: Judges-Ruth
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