GZeolla (@GZeolla)

I’m still working on the “Study Version” of my Analytical-Literal Translation of the Bible, starting with The Torah. I haven’t posted an excerpt for a while, but I thought these would be relevant to many. Genesis 8:20-22: Biblical Guidance In Life    20And Noah built an altar to God. And he took from all the animals, the clean ones, and from all the birds, the clean ones, and he offered a whole burnt-offering upon the altar. 21And the LORD God smelled a sweet smell, a fragrant aroma. And the LORD God having considered, said {Heb., +in His heart}, “I will not add to still [fig., anymore] curse the earth on account of the works of people, because [or, even though] [the] devotion [of] the mind {Heb., heart} of humanity is intently upon the wicked [deeds] from youth. I will not therefore add to still [fig., anymore] strike down all living flesh just as I did.    [Note: The common refrain today for someone looking for guidance in life is to “follow your heart.” But the Hebrew of verse 21 tells us the heart is devoted to wicked deeds. The Greek and Hebrew of Genesis 6:5 says the heart is “intently pondering wicked [things] continually.” Jeremiah tells us the heart is “deceitful” (17:9), while Jesus warns that out of the heart comes “wicked thoughts” and all kinds of sins (Matt 15:18f). This means that left to ourselves, our hearts naturally lean toward evil—not good. Consequently, the common advice to “follow your heart” is actually dangerous because the heart is not a reliable guide.    [For direction in life, the Bible teaches we need to have our minds renewed by the Holy Spirit, a transformation that changes our desires and thoughts (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:22-24; Titus 3:5). Then we need to use that renewed mind to study and obey the Word of God, and it will be a lamp for our feet and a light to our paths (Ps 119:105). What this means is, we shouldn’t follow our own inclinations, but rather God’s revealed will in Scripture.    [Therefore, in practical terms, instead of “follow your heart,” Christians are called to follow God’s Word, led by the Holy Spirit. This means daily surrender, prayer, and Scripture reading, allowing God to reshape our hearts and minds. It’s such a vital reminder that true guidance doesn’t come from inside us but from God’s truth working in us!] Biblical Attitude Towards Climate Change    22All the days of the earth, seed[time] and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring, day and night, will not cease.”    [Note: For those who fear “climate change” or some other natural or human caused disaster will render the earth unlivable or radically change its climate, God promises the basic cycles of the earth will continue for as long as the earth exists. This shows God’s sustaining power over the earth. This is not to say we should not care for the environment, we should (Gen 2:15), but we need not live in fear of a future climate disaster or some other catastrophe, as God holds everything in His hands. Knowing God’s promises can give us peace instead of anxiety about the future. Psalm 121:2 says, “My help [will come] from the LORD, the One having made the heaven and the earth.”] ALT2: The Torah, Study Version; forthcoming. For the current edition of the ALT: Torah (text only), see: https://www.zeolla.org/Christian/books/preview/alt_ot/vol_1.htm #ALT #Bible #ALTBible #OldTestament #Torah #StudyVersion  #BiblicalGuidance #ClimateChange