16 July 2015

Alma 50: The People of Morianton

In the last chapter, the Lamanites unsuccessfully tried break through the city walls in the city of Noah in the land of Noah. Not a single Nephite was killed, and pretty much all of the Lamanites either died or they fled into the wilderness.

You'd think that Moroni would be pretty pleased with himself at this point, but he didn't rest. He continued preparing for war and fortifying his cities. He kept digging trenches and putting barricades on top of the mounds of dirt, and putting towers on top of the barricades, and pickets on top of the barricades. It gets pretty confusing, but it probably looked like this:


Amazing we've never found evidence of one, isn't it? 

And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites. Alma 50:1 
And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man, round about the cities. 50:2 
And he caused that upon those works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high. 50:3 
And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them. 50:4 
And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city. 50:5
Apparently Moroni put these same amazing defensive towers in every city in the land. Nice!
Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land. 50:6
Moroni also then sent his armies out and drove the Lamanites, who were in the wilderness, back to their homeland south of the land of Zarahemla. He then sent the inhabitants of Zarahemla to take over the newly cleared land, and he sent some troops to protect the southern border. He also built the same fortifications around the new land.
And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla. 50:7 
And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the east sea to the west. 50:8 
And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by the seashore, and possess the land. 50:9 
And he also placed armies on the south, in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies. 50:10 
Moroni had successfully isolated the Lamanites, and protected his people. His people flourished and his army grew, and they even founded a new city, which they called Moroni.
And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi, from the west sea, running by the head of the river Sidon -- the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure. 50:11 
Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase daily because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them, did seek to cut off the strength and the power of the Lamanites from off the lands of their possessions, that they should have no power upon the lands of their possession. 50:12 
And it came to pass that the Nephites began the foundation of a city, and they called the name of the city Moroni; and it was by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of the possessions of the Lamanites. 50:13
They also founded another city between the cities of Aaron and Nephi. They called it Nephihah.
And they also began a foundation for a city between the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of Aaron and Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the land, Nephihah. 50:14
And, you know, they founded a bunch of other cities in the north. One of them they called "Lehi". But those don't really matter very much. The point is, it was a really good time for the Nephites.
And they also began in that same year to build many cities on the north, one in a particular manner which they called Lehi, which was in the north by the borders of the seashore. 50:15
And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. 50:17
And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land. 50:18
And here comes the time when we get to use our favorite phrase: "Dwindling in Unbelief". You see, it was a good time for the Nephites because they were faithful, and they kept the commandments of the Lord. Their wicked brethren, who didn't have faith and/or didn't keep the commandments of the Lord, were either enslaved, killed, 'Dwindled in Unbelief', or mingled with the Lamanites. As you can see, these threats just get progressively worse. What could be worse than mingling with the Lamanites?

And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites. 50:22
There was peace for two more years (the 22nd and 23rd year of the reign of the judges), and there WOULD have been peace in the 24th year, too, but those jerks up in the land of Morianton screwed it up. They started fighting with the people in the land of Lehi over a border dispute.

And it came to pass that the twenty and second year of the reign of the judges also ended in peace; yea, and also the twenty and third year. 50:24 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges, there would also have been peace among the people of Nephi had it not been for a contention which took place among them concerning the land of Lehi, and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi; both of which were on the borders by the seashore. 50:25 
For behold, the people who possessed the land of Morianton did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they were determined by the sword to slay them. 50:26
The people in the land of Lehi came to Moroni for assistance. When Morianton's leader (Morianton) heard that the people of Lehi went to Moroni, he was scared that Moroni might lend his army to help them. Since Moroni's army was so strong, they would be easily defeated. So he came up with a plan to flee into the north to live in the land 'O lakes. It seems as if a diplomatic solution would have been more reasonable, but for some reason he wanted to run up north.

But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for behold they were not in the wrong. 50:27
And it came to pass that when the people of Morianton, who were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found that the people of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were exceedingly fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them and destroy them. 50:28 
Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward. 50:29
Here is where it gets weird. For some reason, it would have been really bad if Morianton and his crew headed up north. The author of Alma thinks it's pretty self evident that that would be a terrible thing, and that somehow a colony up north would inevitably lead to the destruction of the Nephites. It's never really explained, but before Morianton can flee north Moroni sent an army to stop them.

And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but behold, Morianton being a man of much passion, therefore he was angry with one of his maid servants, and he fell upon her and beat her much. 50:30 
And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter, and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward. 50:31 
Now behold, the people who were in the land Bountiful, or rather Moroni, feared that they would hearken to the words of Morianton and unite with his people, and thus he would obtain possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephi, yea, which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their liberty. 50:32 
Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land northward. 50:33
Moroni was clever about sending his army, though. He waited until they came to a narrow pass, by the sea, and then they had a furious battle. Pretty much their very own battle of Thermoplae.


Except in this case Leonidas is kills Xerces in hand-to-hand combat, and the Spartans win. Nice! Our hero's name is Teancum, and he killed Morianton and enslaved his army.
And it came to pass that they did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east. 50:34 
And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moroni, which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the people of Morianton; and so stubborn were the people of Morianton, (being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering words) that a battle commenced between them, in the which Teancum did slay Morianton and defeat his army, and took them prisoners, and returned to the camp of Moroni. And thus ended the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. 50:35
Then Nephihah, the second chief judge, suddenly dies. The records went to Alma's son, Helaman, and Nephihah's son, Pahoran, filled his seat. Nephihah was a good judge, apparently, so Poharan had some big shoes to fill.
And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment-seat with perfect uprightness before God. 50:37 
Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and his fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon his son, Helaman. 50:38 
Behold, it came to pass that the son of Nephihah was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, in the stead of his father; yea, he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people, with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to support and maintain the cause of God all his days, and to bring the wicked to justice according to their crime. 50:39 
Now behold, his name was Pahoran. And Pahoran did fill the seat of his father, and did commence his reign in the end of the twenty and fourth year, over the people of Nephi. 50:40
I guess we'll see how he does in the next few chapters!

The Human Life Commandments

  1. If a man causes the death of a fetus, he shall pay the woman's husband whatever the judges decide.
  2. If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. Exodus 21:22

  3. But if the woman is injured, the man who caused her injury shall be injured in the same way.
  4. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Exodus 21:23-25

  5. Put a dollar value on human life according to the following table.
  6. The Value of Human Life
    Age Sex In Shekels of Silver In 2014 US Dollars
    less than one month
    (Newborn babies and fetuses)
    male 0 0
    female 0 0
    one month to 5 years male 5 $36.40
    female 3 $21.84
    5 to 20 years male 20 $145.60
    female 10 $72.80
    20 to 60 years male 50 $364.00
    female 30 $218.40
    over 60 years male 15 $109.20
    female 10 $72.80
    Thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels. And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver. And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels. Leviticus 27:3-7
    Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. Numbers 18:15-16

    The value of five shekels for humans above six months old seems to agree with the value given in Leviticus 27. But the other age/gender details are missing in Numbers 18. It's also not clear whether the five shekel value refers to firstborn humans and animals, or to humans only.

    Maimonides #227: To estimate the value of people as determined by the Torah —Lev. 27:2

  7. Humans who are devoted to God cannot be sold or redeemed.
  8. (Every devoted thing is most holy to God.)
    Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:28
    Maimonides #231: Carry out the laws of interdicting possessions (cherem) — Lev. 27:28
    Maimonides #232: Not to sell the cherem — Lev. 27:28
    Maimonides #233: Not to redeem the cherem — Lev. 27:28

  9. They must be killed.
  10. None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 27:29

  11. Don't value human life.
  12. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isaiah 2:22

09 July 2015

Has Doug Wilson changed his mind about the "wonderful issue" of slavery?

Doug Wilson has had a rough couple of weeks. Same-sex marriage is legal throughout the U.S., Affordable Health Care has been upheld, and the Confederate battle flag is coming down across the south.

So when he saw Matthew Vines's 40 questions for Christians who oppose marriage equality, he just had to respond.

Here's how he answered question #16:

Do you think supporting same-sex marriage is a more serious problem than supporting slavery?

Yes, far more serious.

This has caused a bit of an uproar, since everyone today (including nearly all Christians) considers slavery intrinsically evil.

But Doug Wilson isn't like most Christians. Here's what he said about slavery back in 2005 (emphasis added):

[N]othing is clearer – the New Testament opposes anything like the abolitionism of our country prior to the War Between the States. The New Testament contains many instructions for Christian slave owners, and requires a respectful submissive demeanor for Christian slaves. See, for example, Eph. 6:5-9, Col. 3:22-4:1, and 1 Tim. 6:1-5. . . .

The reason why many Christians will be tempted to dismiss the arguments presented here is that we have said (out loud) that a godly man could have been a slave owner. But this 'inflammatory' position is the very point upon which the Bible speaks most directly, again and again. In other words, more people will struggle with what we are saying at the point where the Bible speaks most clearly. There is no exegetical vagueness here. Not only is the Bible not politically correct, it was not politically correct one hundred thirty years ago. . . .

This entire issue of slavery is a wonderful issue upon which to practice. Our humanistic and democratic culture regards slavery in itself as a monstrous evil, and acts as though this were self-evidently true. The Bible permits Christians to own slaves, provided they are treated well. You are a Christian. Whom do you believe?

He also wrote two booklets defending slavery in the Pre-Civil War South: "Southern Slavery As it Was" and "Black and Tan." (The latter was a re-write of the former to address plagiarism concerns.)

Here are some excepts:

Slavery as it existed in the South was not an adversarial relationship with pervasive racial animosity. ... There has never been a multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony in the history of the world. The credit for this must go to the predominance of Christianity.

Slaves were well-treated and often had a deep loyalty to, and affection for, their masters.

The slaves were not stolen cars; they were human beings — and the many Christians who treated them lawfully were in no way disobedient.

The abolitionists maintained that slave-owning was inherently immoral under any circumstance. But in this matter, the Christians who owned slaves in the South were on firm scriptural ground. ... Provided he owns them in conformity to Christ's laws for such situations, the Bible is clear that Christians may own slaves.

Slave life was to them a life of plenty, of simple pleasures, of food, clothes, and good medical care.

Slavery produced in the South a genuine affection between the races that we believe we can say has never existed in any nation before the War or since.

One could argue that the black family has never been stronger than it was under slavery. It was certainly stronger under the southern slave system that it is today under our modern destructive welfare state.

The issue of slavery was used to provoke a revolution in 1861. That revolution has continued to this day, and slavery has increased in our land as a result. It is time for us to stand and declare the truth about slavery and to expose the failures of the abolitionist worldview.

[I]t has been estimated that (with the possible exception of Cromwell's army) the Confederate Army was the largest body of evangelicals under arms in the history of the world.

But Doug Wilson doesn't talk (out loud) about the wonderful issue of slavery very much anymore. And when he does he says as little as possible. (Like he did when answering Question 16.)

Here, for example, is what he said yesterday on his blog (while defending his beloved Confederate flag and attacking "Sodomites"):

This is not a contrast between those who want slavery and others who don’t. It is a contrast between different reasons for opposing slavery. ... Christian opposition to slavery is quite different.
So I guess Pastor Wilson has changed his mind about slavery. The old Doug said, "The Bible permits Christians to own slaves." But the new Doug is opposed to slavery. (For "quite different" but unspecified reasons.)

I wonder how long it will be before he changes his mind about Leviticus 20:13.

(It looks to me like he already has.)

08 July 2015

The Bible's Dietary Commandments

  1. Be a vegan.
  2. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Genesis 1:29

  3. Be an omnivore.
  4. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Genesis 9:3

  5. Don't eat blood.
  6. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. Genesis 9:4

    It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. Leviticus 3:17

    Ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Leviticus 7:26

    No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. ... Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof. Leviticus 17:12-14

    Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood. Leviticus 19:26

    Ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water. Deuteronomy 12:16

    Thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water. Deuteronomy 15:23

    Abstain ... from blood. Acts 15:20

    It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us ... that ye abstain ... from blood. Acts 15:28-29

    As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves ... from blood. Acts 21:25

    Maimonides #192: Not to eat blood —Lev. 3:17

  7. Don't eat any animal (or its fat) that died of natural causes or was killed by other animals.
  8. Neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field. Exodus 22:31

    And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts ... ye shall in no wise eat of it. Leviticus 7:24

    That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith. Leviticus 22:8

    Maimonides #190: Not to eat meat of an animal that was mortally wounded — Ex. 22:30

  9. If you find an animal that has died of natural causes or was killed by other animals, feed it to the dogs or strangers, or sell it to aliens.
  10. Flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs. Exodus 22:31

    Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien. Deuteronomy 14:21

  11. Don't eat any fat, not even in your own home.
  12. (All the fat is the Lord's.)
    All the fat is the LORD's. It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. Leviticus 3:16-17

    Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. Leviticus 7:23

    Maimonides #193: Not to eat certain fats of clean animals — Lev. 3:17

  13. Don't eat camels, conies, hares, or swine.
  14. These shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat. Leviticus 11:4-8

    Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh. Deuteronomy 14:7-8

    Maimonides #180: Not to eat non-kosher animals — Lev. 11:4

  15. Eat animals that live in water and have fins and scales.
  16. These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. Leviticus 11:9

    These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat. Deuteronomy 14:9

    Maimonides #178: To examine the signs of fish to distinguish between kosher and non-kosher — Lev. 11:9

  17. Don't eat animals that live in the water but don't have fins or scales.
  18. (They are abominations.)
    All that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh. Ye shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. Leviticus 11:10-12

    Whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you. Deuteronomy 14:10

    Maimonides #182: Not to eat non-kosher fish — Lev. 11:11

  19. The following birds are abominations: eagles, vultures, ospreys, kites, ravens, owls, nighthawks, hawks, cuckoos, cormorants, swans, pelicans, storks, herons, lapwings, and bats. Don't eat them.
  20. And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. Leviticus 11:13-19

    But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind, And every raven after his kind, And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. Deuteronomy 14:12-18

    Maimonides #181: Not to eat non-kosher fowl — Lev. 11:13

  21. Don't eat fowls that creep and walk upon all four.
  22. (They are abominations.)
    All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. Leviticus 11:20

    Every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten. Deuteronomy 14:19

  23. Eat flying creeping things that walk on four with legs above their feet. Among these are locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers.
  24. Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. Leviticus 11:21-23
    Maimonides #179: To examine the signs of locusts to distinguish between kosher and non-kosher — Lev. 11:21

  25. Don't eat creeping things that creep on the earth.
  26. (They are abominations.)
    And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. Leviticus 11:41
    Maimonides #184: Not to eat non-kosher creatures that crawl on land — Lev. 11:41

  27. Don't eat any animal that crawls on its belly, goes on all four, or has lots of feet.
  28. (They are all abominations.)
    Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. Leviticus 11:42
    Maimonides #186: Not to eat worms found in fruit on the ground — Lev. 11:42

  29. Don't eat any abominable thing.
  30. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. Deuteronomy 14:3
    Maimonides #392: Not to eat sacrifices which have become unfit or blemished — Deut. 14:3

  31. Eat these animals: oxen, sheep, goats, harts, roebucks, fallow deer, pygargs, and chamois.
  32. These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. Deuteronomy 14:4-5

  33. Eat clean birds.
  34. Of all clean birds ye shall eat. Deuteronomy 14:11

    All clean fowls ye may eat. Deuteronomy 14:20

    Maimonides #177: To examine the signs of fowl to distinguish between kosher and non-kosher — Deut. 14:11

  35. Eat your firstborn bulls and sheep in the place where God chooses.
  36. All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock ... thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household. Deuteronomy 15:19-20

  37. Eat honey.
  38. Eat thou honey, because it is good. Proverbs 24:13

  39. Don't eat too much honey.
  40. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Proverbs 25:16

  41. Eat bread with joy.
  42. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy. Ecclesiastes 9:7

  43. Pay no attention to what you eat or drink.
  44. Take no thought for ... what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:22

    Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? Matthew 6:31

    Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. Luke 12:29

    Let no man therefore judge you in meat or drink. Colossians 2:16

    Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4:4

  45. Eat Jesus's body and drink his blood.
  46. (Or you'll have no life in you.)
    Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6:53-54

  47. Kill and eat animals.
  48. Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. Acts 10:9-13

    in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. Acts 11:5-7

  49. Abstain from meats offered to idols.
  50. (This seemed like a good rule to the Holy Ghost.)
    Abstain from pollutions of idols. Acts 15:20

    It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us ... that ye abstain from meats offered to idols. Acts 15:28-29

    As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols. Acts 21:25

    But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 1 Corinthians 10:28

  51. Abstain from strangled things.
  52. (This also seemed good to the Holy Ghost.)
    Abstain ... from things strangled. Acts 15:20

    It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us ... that ye abstain ... from things strangled. Acts 15:28-29

    As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves ... from strangled. Acts 25

  53. Don't judge those with different dietary preferences.
  54. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth. Romans 14:3

  55. Don't destroy a vegetarian by serving meat.
  56. (For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink.)
    If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink. Romans 14:15-17

  57. Eat whatever is sold at the store.
  58. (Don't let your conscience bother you.)
    Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 1 Corinthians 10:25

  59. If you are invited to dinner at an unbeliever's house, eat whatever is set before you.
  60. (Don't let your conscience bother you.)
    If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 1 Corinthians 10:27

03 July 2015

The Bible's Commandments About Women

(In biblical order)

  1. If a man causes the death of a fetus, he shall pay the woman's husband whatever the judges decide.
  2. If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. Exodus 21:22

  3. But if the woman is injured, the man that caused her injury shall be injured in the same way.
  4. (Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc.)
    And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Exodus 21:23-25

  5. Kill witches.
  6. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Exodus 22:18
    Maimonides #552: The court must not let the sorcerer live — Ex. 22:17

  7. A woman is unclean for seven days after delivering a male child. She then must be purified for 33 days, during which time she must not come into the sanctuary or touch any holy thing.
  8. If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.... And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. Leviticus 12:2-4
    Maimonides #455: Observe the laws of impurity caused by childbirth — Lev. 12:2

  9. A woman is unclean for two weeks after delivering a female child. She then must be purified for 66 days, during which time she must not come into the sanctuary or touch any holy thing.
  10. (Because baby girls are twice as dirty as baby boys.)
    But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. Leviticus 12:5

  11. A menstruating woman must be isolated for seven days.
  12. And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days. Leviticus 15:19a
    Maimonides #454: Observe the laws of menstrual impurity — Lev. 15:19

  13. Whoever touches her is unclean until the evening.
  14. And whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:19b

  15. Everything that she touches is unclean, including whatever she sits upon.
  16. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. Leviticus 15:20

  17. If you touch her bed, you must wash your clothes, take a bath, and be unclean until the evening.
  18. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:21

  19. If you touch anything that she has sat on, you must take a bath and be unclean until the evening.
  20. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:22-23

  21. If a woman has vaginal bleeding outside of her regular menstrual period, she is unclean. .
  22. And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. Leviticus 15:25
    Maimonides #456: Observe the laws of impurity caused by a woman's running issue — Lev. 15:25

  23. Every bed, chair, or other object that she touches in such a condition is also unclean.
  24. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. Leviticus 15:26

  25. If you touch anything that she has touched, you must wash your clothes, take a bath, and be unclean until the evening.
  26. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:27

  27. A man who has sex with a menstruating woman is unclean for seven days.
  28. (The bed is also unclean.)
    And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean. Leviticus 15:24a

  29. Don't approach a menstruating woman to uncover her nakedness.
  30. Thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. Leviticus 18:19
    Maimonides #161: Not to have sexual relations with a menstrually impure woman — Lev. 18:19

  31. If a man has sex with a menstruating woman, cut off both of them.
  32. (Because he has discovered her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood.)
    And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. Leviticus 20:18

  33. A woman who lives in her father's house doesn't have to keep her promise, unless her father agrees with it.
  34. If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. Numbers 30:3-5

  35. A married woman desn't have to keep her promise, unless her husband agrees with it.
  36. And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the Lord shall forgive her. Numbers 30:6-8

    And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the Lord shall forgive her. Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity. Numbers 30:10-15

  37. Widows and divorced women must keep their promises
  38. But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. Numbers 30:9

  39. Don't allow any witches to live in your community.
  40. There shall not be found among you ... a witch. Deuteronomy 18:10
    Maimonides #61: Not to go into a trance to foresee events, etc. — Deut. 18:10

  41. When God delivers your enemies into your hands, and you see a beautiful woman among the captives, take her home and have sex with her (after letting her mourn her parents for a month). If she doesn't fully satisfy you, let her go (without selling her).
  42. When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the Lord thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her. Deuteronomy 21:10-14

  43. Women must not wear men's clothing. Women who do so are an abomination to God.
  44. The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man ... for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 22:5

  45. If a betrothed virgin is raped in the city, stone her and the rapist to death.
  46. (Because she was in the city and didn't cry out.)
    If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. Deuteronomy 22:23-24
    Maimonides #545: The courts must carry out the death penalty of stoning — Deut. 22:24

  47. If a man rapes a betrothed damsel outside of the city, then kill the man but do nothing to the damsel.
  48. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die. But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. Deuteronomy 22:25-27
    Maimonides #556: The court must not punish anybody who was forced to do a crime — Deut. 22:26

  49. If a man rapes an unbetrothed virgin, the rapist must pay her father fifty shekels of silver, marry his victim, and never divorce her.
  50. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. Deuteronomy 22:28-29
    Maimonides #134: The rapist must marry his victim if she is unwed — Deut. 22:29
    Maimonides #134: He is never allowed to divorce her — Deut. 22:29

  51. Make sure there aren't any whores in your community.
  52. There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel. Deuteronomy 23:17
    Maimonides #123: Not to have sexual relations with women not thus married — Deut. 23:18

  53. Don't bring the hire of a whore into the house of the Lord.
  54. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore ... into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for [this is an] abomination unto the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 23:18

  55. If two men fight and the wife of one grabs the "secrets" of the other, "then thou shalt cut off her hand" and "thine eye shall not pity her."
  56. When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her. Deuteronomy 25:11-12
    Maimonides #487: Save someone being pursued even by taking the life of the pursuer — Deut. 25:12

  57. Stay away from strange women.
  58. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. ... Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house. Proverbs 5:3-8

    Why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? Proverbs 5:20

    Keep thee ... from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. Proverbs 6:24-26

    Keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. Proverbs 7:5

    Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:25-27

  59. Stay away from evil women.
  60. Keep thee from the evil woman ... Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. Proverbs 6:24-26

    Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:25-27

  61. Don't give your strength to women.
  62. Give not thy strength unto women. Proverbs 31:3

  63. Reward and praise virtuous women.
  64. Give her [the virtuous woman] of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31

  65. Don't come near a menstruating woman.
  66. If a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, and ... neither hath come near to a menstruous woman. Ezekiel 18:5-6

  67. If a woman refuses to cover her head while praying or prophesying, shave her head.
  68. Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6

    Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 1 Corinthians 11:9-10

  69. Women are not allowed to speak in church.
  70. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law ... for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.1 Corinthians 14:34-35

  71. If a woman wants to learn something, she should ask her husband at home.
  72. If they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. 1 Corinthians 14:35

  73. Women should dress modestly.
  74. I will therefore ... that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. 1 Timothy 2:8-9

  75. Women should not braid their hair.
  76. I will therefore ... that women adorn themselves ... not with braided hair. 1 Timothy 2:8-9

    Wives ... whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair. 1 Peter 3:1-3

  77. Women should not wear expensive jewelry.
  78. I will therefore ... that women adorn themselves ... not with ... gold, or pearls, or costly array. 1 Timothy 2:8

    Wives ... whose adorning let it not be ... of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. 1 Peter 3:1-3

  79. Women should do good works.
  80. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:10

  81. Women should be silent.
  82. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 1 Timothy 2:11

    I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12

  83. Women should not teach.
  84. I suffer not a woman to teach. 1 Timothy 2:12

  85. Women should never have authority over men.
  86. I suffer not a woman ... to usurp authority over the man. 1 Timothy 2:12

  87. Honor widows that are widows indeed.
  88. A widow indeed has no children or nephews; is desolate, trusts in God, and prays all the time; is not living in pleasure (a widow living in pleasure is the living dead); is over 60 years old; had only one husband; has raised children; has lodged strangers; has washed the saints' feet; has relieved the afflicted; and has diligently followed every good work.
    Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 1 Timothy 5:3-10

  89. Refuse young widows.
  90. (They will wax wanton against Christ and marry. They are all damned because they've cast off their first faith. They are idle tattlers and busybodies. Many have turned aside after Satan. They should all just get married and have children.)
    The younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. 1 Timothy 5:11-15

  91. If you have any widows, take care of them yourself. The church will only deal with widows indeed.
  92. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 1 Timothy 5:16

  93. Old women should be holy, not false accusers, not drink too much wine, and teach good things.
  94. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5

02 July 2015

The Bible's Slavery Commandments

(In biblical order)

  1. Your circumcised slaves shall eat the Passover meal.
  2. And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover ... Every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. Exodus 12:43-44

  3. If you buy a Hebrew slave, set him free after six years of slavery.
  4. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. Exodus 21:2

    And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. Deuteronomy 15:12-14

    Maimonides #504: Purchase a Hebrew slave in accordance with the prescribed laws — Ex. 21:2

  5. If your Hebrew slave was married when you bought him, set the slave and his wife free after six years of slavery.
  6. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. Exodus 21:3

  7. If you gave your Hebrew slave a wife and they had children, keep your slave's wife and children and let him go free.
  8. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. Exodus 21:4

  9. If your Hebrew slave refuses to leave his wife and children, bore a hole in his ear and he shall be your slave forever.
  10. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. Exodus 21:5-6

    If he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. Deuteronomy 15:16-17

  11. If you sell your daughter, she shall not be freed after six years (as are male Hebrew slaves).
  12. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. Exodus 21:7

  13. If your daughter fails to please her master, she shall be sold again to a Hebrew man.
  14. If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. Exodus 21:8
    Maimonides #511: Redeem Jewish maidservants — Ex. 21:8
    Maimonides #512: Betroth the Jewish maidservant — Ex. 21:8
    Maimonides #513: The master must not sell his maidservant — Ex. 21:8

  15. If the man who bought your daughter gives her to his son, the man who bought her shall treat her as his own daughter.
  16. And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. Exodus 21:9

  17. A slave owner who beats his slave to death shall be punished.
  18. If a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Exodus 21:20
    Maimonides #547: The courts must carry out the death penalty of the sword — Ex. 21:20

  19. A slave owner shall not be punished for beating his slave if the slave lives for a day or two, for the slave is the slave owner's money.
  20. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money. Exodus 21:21

  21. If a man hits his slave and causes the slave to lose sight in one eye, he shall set the slave free.
  22. If a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. Exodus 21:26

  23. If a man hits his slave and causes the slave to lose a tooth, he shall set the slave free.
  24. If he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. Exodus 21:27

  25. If a thief is caught and is too poor to make full restitution, he shall be sold to pay for his theft.
  26. He should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. Exodus 22:3

  27. If an ox kills a slave, the owner of the ox shall give the owner of the dead slave thirty shekels of silver.
  28. (And the ox shall be stoned)
    If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. Exodus 21:32

  29. If a priest buys a slave, the slave and his family may eat the priest's meat.
  30. If the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat. Leviticus 22:11

  31. If someone in your country becomes poor and is sold to you as a slave, treat that person as a servant, not as a slave, and set him free on the next jubilee year.
  32. If thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee ; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile. And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. ... Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour. Leviticus 25:39-43
    Maimonides #508: Not to have him do menial slave labor — Lev. 25:39
    Maimonides #505: Not to sell him as a slave is sold — Lev. 25:42
    Maimonides #506: Not to work him oppressively — Lev. 25:43

  33. When you buy slaves, buy a heathen from a nearby country.
  34. Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Leviticus 25:44

  35. You may also buy slaves that are strangers, or their children that are born in your land.
  36. Of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. Leviticus 25:45

  37. Your slaves are your property and your children will inherit them after you die. They will be your family's slaves forever.
  38. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever. Leviticus 25:46
    Maimonides #514: Canaanite slaves must work forever unless injured in one of their limbs — Lev. 25:46

  39. If a foreigner buys someone who lives in this country, the slave may be bought back by the slave's family, with the usual jubilee year pricing.
  40. And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself. And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption. And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight. And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him. Leviticus 25:47-54

  41. If a city decides not to fight against you, enslave its inhabitants.
  42. When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. Deuteronomy 20:10-11

  43. If a city resists your attack, enslave the women and younger children.
  44. (After killing all of the males.)

    This commandment applies not just to the cities that God gives to you, but to the far-away cities as well.

    And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations. Deuteronomy 20:12-15

  45. Don't return runaway slaves to their masters. Let them live with you in peace and freedom.
  46. Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. Deuteronomy 23:15-16
    Maimonides #515: Not to extradite a slave who fled to (Biblical) Israel — Deut. 23:16
    Maimonides #515: Not to wrong a slave who has come to Israel for refuge — Deut. 23:16

  47. Don't accuse a slave to his master.
  48. Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. Proverbs 30:10

  49. Free your Hebrew slaves.
  50. This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD ... that every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free. Jeremiah 34:9

  51. If you are a slave, don't worry about it.
  52. Art thou called being a servant [slave]? care not for it. 1 Corinthians 7:21

  53. If you are set free, that's OK too.
  54. But if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 1 Corinthians 7:21

  55. Don't be a slave to humans.
  56. Be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23

  57. Slaves, obey your masters.
  58. (Even those that are evil and cruel.)
    Servants [slaves], obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God Colossians 3:22

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 1 Peter 2:18

  59. Masters, give your slaves what is just and equal.
  60. Masters, give unto your servants [slaves] that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1

    Exhort servants [slaves] to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:9-10

  61. Slaves, honor your masters.
  62. (So that God isn't blasphemed.)
    Let as many servants [slaves] as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 1 Timothy 6:1

  63. If your master is a believer, serve him.
  64. (Since he is a faithful and beloved partaker of the benefit.)
    They that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. 1 Timothy 6:2

01 July 2015

What's next after Gay Marriage? (According to Bible believers)

Here's what to look for in the near future, now that same-sex marriage is legal in all fifty states.

Gay people will go door-to-door demanding to have sex with Christians.

Here is how Pastor Tim Brooks explains it:

Here is the only thing that will satisfy this agenda. And it's very clear: participation. We want you to come out of your house and participate with us.

Now as I read this story [Genesis 19], Lot was not forcing his lifestyle on them. ... He never even brought that up. They are trying to force their lifestyle on him. ... "Come out and have sex with us." ...

They're going to force participation. And Rick, that's what we're seeing around the country.
...
If you flip the page over to Judges chapter 19, it's shocking. It's almost word for word the same story.
...
They're traveling, they stop for the night in the town square, ... the old man says, "You can't stay in the town square."

Go back to Genesis 19:2, "You can't stay in the town square."

Wow! It's unsafe in a city where the homosexual agenda has control.

That's right, folks!

It'll be just like those Bible stories: the story of Lot in Genesis 19 and the story of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19. Every man in every city in the United States will soon be knocking on the door of every good Christian.

Luckily, these Bible stories show Christian men how to respond. (I wonder why Pastor Brooks didn't mention these righteous responses.)

When the homosexuals come knocking, asking to "know" you, do what the just and righteous Lot did: offer them your virgin daughters instead. Then later, after God smashes and burns everyone in the city, get drunk and impregnate them.

Or do as the Levite did: offer them your concubine. The next morning if your concubine expires on your doorstep, chop up her body and send the pieces to Christians throughout the U.S. This will alert other believers and begin a holy war like it did in Judges 20.

So the next time you hear a knock at the door, it won't be Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormon missionaries. It'll be every male in town requesting your participation.

Just make sure you have a virgin daughter or concubine nearby.