Can an Ethiopian Change His Skin ...?

An insult that is not understood is a pointless insult.

Would you believe there is such as thing as a random insult generator? Played with the generator at The Insult Project and decided to copy this one below for my blog post.  Checked this site Jan 19, 2018, and it no longer exists.

“People don't dislike you because you're revolting. I mean you are astonishingly revolting, that's just not why people dislike you.”

* * *


Was watching a Denzel Washington movie and there was a brief intense exchange of words between Mr. Washington's character and another character who was playing a support role. Possibly not the exact quote but the character scoffs and says: “You better watch out or I just might call you an Ethiopian!” Mr. Washington's character's defensive reaction and response was: “You know you're probably stupid enough to think that's an insult!”


Huh? What?? (???) Didn't get it! My limited exposure to Ethiopia and experience with Ethiopians left a void in my mind. Could not comprehend the meaning of the dialogue at all. (O.o) Dismissed it and finished watching the movie, The Siege.


Was doing research about one of the Jewish prophets in the Old Testament and came across this scripture:

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.”

(Jeremiah 13: 23)

Let's place this quote in context.

• Which Ethiopia are we talking about??
  

There is a modern day Ethiopia and there is an Ethiopia which is a land that existed during ancient times. Since it's a scriptural reference, we're going to go with the latter.


Modern Ethiopia is located in the horn of East Africa. Ancient Ethiopia, also known as Cush, was located to the south of Egypt. Cush is the Hebrew name. Ethiopia is the Greek name. (FYI. The Egypt in the Bible and the nation that exists today are both the same.)


Ethiopia translated into English mean “burnt face”. The Ethiopian people we see today are known for their smooth beautiful practically flawless chocolate brown skin. There's no reason why a talented photographer couldn't make a small fortune traversing the country taking pictures of the “humans of Ethiopia”. Evidently, the people who lived in the land called Ethiopia, the in the Bible, also had really nice skin!


So!! Uuuhhh … back to square one! My brain is still registering blanks!


Imagine you get into a heated argument with someone.

The person snarls at you angrily and warns:

“You better get out of my face! You … you … you Ethiopian!!” 

You puff up with righteous indignation and shout back:

“Yeah! That's right! I got nice skin!! HATER!!”

(??) Where would this argument go?? (??)

There is a famous world-class chef from Ethiopia. There was a young woman, born in Ethiopia, who was crowned Miss Israel in a beauty pageant. Madonna adopted a baby or babies from Ethiopia. (That's what I heard.)


Opening this topic up for discussion hoping someone can shed some light on it.

WHY would it be an insult

 to call someone an Ethiopian?

Bible Readers: What About All Those "ites"?

Now that you know how to read you can read the Bible for yourself. That's what my momma said.

Most Bible readers (from my generation and the generations in the centuries before mine) will likely say what struck them when the first read the scriptures was all those "begats". Some people will skip over verses, even whole chapters if they see that word. The word "begat" usually connects a string of names that are very difficult to pronounce.

For me, one of things noted when turning the pages of the Old Testament starting with Genesis and working my way to the Revelation was all those "ites". The names for the inhabitants of different ancient nations.

Hittites, Asherites, Jebusites, Amorites, Amakelites, Girgashites, Moabites, Perizzites, Canaanites, and of course, Israelites.

Then it changed from "ites" to "ans".

Syrians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans.

Suffixes in the English language:

*  ite = follower or supporter

*  an = pertaining to

* ian = belonging to

Belonging to? Hmmm?  Like Christians?

Yes. Only Christ is not a nation. Christianity and the gospel message of peace and goodwill is not restricted by man-made boundaries. But it's an observation as to how the suffixes were used by the scholarly translators.

JAT. (Just a thought.) :)

glitter-graphics.com

Histomap: Visualizing the 4,000 Year History of Global Power

If my view were a "theory", the histomap would have thoroughly disproved it.  Alas.  It's not a theory.  It's just a thought.  :)

* * *

Ten Commandments in Christianity - INTRO

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

This is a somewhat complicated study which hopefully is presented in a simplified, easy-to-read and understand format. Blessings!

Scriptural references for the Ten Commandments are found in the Jewish scriptures: Exodus 20: 1 -17 and also Deuteronomy 5: 1 - 21.

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

* * *

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Summarily Restated by Jesus Christ as the 1st and 2nd Greatest Commandments:

MATT 22: 36 - 40 * * * * * 36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37) Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like unto it, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE 2nd COMMANDMENT Also Summarily Restated by Apostle Paul:

ROM 13: 8 - 10 * * * * * 8) Owe no man any thing but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9) For this, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, THOU SHALT NOT KILL, THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, THOU SHALT NOT COVET; and if there be any other commandment , it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

JESUS DID NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OF MOSES:

MATT 5: 17 - 18 * * * * * 17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18) For verily I say unto you, Til heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled. MATT 16: 16 - 17 * * * * * 16) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of heaven and preached, and every man presseth into it. 17) It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

♦
Read the Complete Post Series:

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 1st

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 2nd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 3rd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 4th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 5th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 6th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post


Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Humble King. Who rides a donkey on his way to die for his enemies.

The Kind Leader. Who enters our cities to serve us not to dominate us.

The Carpenter from Nazareth. Who builds a table of inclusion for all.

Let’s get off our high horses.
And follow him.#PalmSunday pic.twitter.com/hqOCM0ca45

— Carlos A. Rodríguez (@CarlosHappyNPO) April 5, 2020

What Does Shivat Haminim Mean?

Found this precious gem shared by a fellow freelance writer at HUBPages.com, an online writing community where many of the writers are experts or have such a passion that they speak with such thorough knowledge on a subject that you would dub them an "authority" on the matter.

"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey;" (Deuteronomy 8:7-8)

The fruits and grains mentioned in this scripture are called the seven species (shivat haminim). In Israel, they have special status.

Seven Species. Fruits and Vegetables of Holy Land

As many times as I have read this scripture, it's now seen in a new light. That's one of the joys of reading the Bible. Sacred mysteries are constantly revealed.

Seven Species of the Land of Israel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You Can See Your True Colors

Gehazi - The Faithful Unfaithful Servant


Gehazi was the name of a faithful servant of a Hebrew prophet named Elisha. Faithful as long as he was with Elisha and there was no temptation.

GREBBER, Pieter de - Elisha Refusing Gifts from Naaman by Faces of Ancient Europe, on Flickr

One day a man who was sick of a skin disease came to the prophet for healing. Elisha cured the man but refused to take money or accept any reward for what he had done. Gehazi was privy to the exchange between these two men. Seeing that Elisha could not be persuaded to accept any form of payment, the man went on his way intending to return home, but Gehazi chased after him. When he caught up to the man he told him that his master had a change of heart and would be more than happy to take a talent of silver and two changes of clothing. For the needy? But of course!

LIAR LIAR! PANTS ON FIRE!!

Elisha had said no such thing.

Gehazi lied! Gehazi gave in to his own greed and misused a position of public trust to STEAL!

Did his sin go unpunished? NO! This is a Bible story. Where moral lessons abound and good always overcomes evil, and black is black, and white is white. If you want to know what happened you can read about it in 2 Kings.


So what is the moral of Gehazi's story?

MORAL LESSON:
You can lie to others, but not to yourself.
You can always see your true colors even if nobody else does.

***
Original Post Feb 25, 2014 at TreasurePen

Gehazi, The Sinner Detected: A Sermon-in Puritan style-on Temptation and Secret Sins: "Be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32

It is Written … (Celebrate Book Lovers Day!)

If you have ever watched the movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, you will likely the remember the scene where Lawrence (played by Peter O' Toole) uttered the words: “Nothing! … is written.”  Evidently, it was a memorable scene because if you do an organic search, you will find several movie clips. 

The words of Lawrence, instantly called to my mind a contrast between words often uttered by Jesus Christ:
“It is written.”

Jesus spoke these words so confidently, and as a matter of fact, as if being literate was a given.

Of course, among the Jews, there were Scribes and their job was to write down the scriptures for future posterity. It was clear that many of the Jews could read and write. Although it is possible that some of the Apostles were not literate. In the book of Acts, they were referred to as men who had not “learned letters”.

But beyond the Jewish people, what about the Gentile world?

Many non-Jewish civilizations had a written language, but not all of the inhabitants could read and write.

But Lord!  The gospel message? Isn't it for ALL?

~ Did Jesus already know that in this world there would be many people who could read and write? At least enough people to spread the good news to all the world.

~ Did He already know that men would die in order for the Bible – both Old and New Testaments - to be printed in multiple languages and circulated so that people all around the world could read it?

~ Did He know that Google would partner with the Israel Museum to convert the Dead Sea Scrolls into a digital format?

* * *

* * *

Being illiterate is not a social matter these days. Right? At least, not in the USA. That may be a problem for undeveloped countries. Right?

One would think that in a country like America, literacy would not be an issue. Think again.

Both first ladies – Barbara Bush and Laura Bush – chose as their platform to focus on literacy and education.

* * *
Efforts to address the problem of illiteracy?

• World Over - 2016-07-28 – America's Literacy Crisis, Kyle Zimmer with Raymond Arroyo

• Integrating Technology in Early Literacy: A Snapshot of Community Innovation in Family Engagement

• NEA - Read Across America Partners and Supporters (“Reading Buddies”)

• National Coalition for Literacy (“... advancing adult education, family literacy”)

Those 3 words: "It is written."

It's really not a casual statement to be taken lightly, is it?

* * *
This post was inspired by a friend who published a post in a blogging community, Literacy Base, where I used to be an active member.

National Book Lovers Day isn’t the only book holiday. Each year on April 23, the day Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died in 1616, the United Nations holds World Book and Copyright Day. In 2017, Conakry, Guinea was the World Book Capital.

There is also World Book Day, which is sponsored by the U.K.’s National Book Tokens.

SOURCE:  Celebrate National Book Lovers Day 2017

National Book Lovers Day is always celebrated on August 9th.

* Entertainment trivia:

The film “Lawrence of Arabia” won 7 Academy Awards. Peter O'Toole did NOT get the award for Best Actor. (REF: Academy Awards, USA 1963 ) Hey! When he accepted the lead role, maybe he should have got it writing that the Oscar for Best Actor was going to be a given. :) Gregory Peck won that year for his portrayal of the lawyer, Atticus Finch, in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. (REF: The 35th Academy Awards | 1963 ) I say the decision of the Academy was fair. What say you?

Related articles

• THE DARING MISSION OF WILLIAM TYNDALE - Steven J. Lawson (2015)
• Sometimes I Babble - Can't You Tell?

Lawrence of Arabia

© Photographer: Nadalinna | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Character Study: Ruth: The Beautiful Gleaner

RUTH

How many stories have you heard of a woman begging to live the rest of her life with her mother-in-law?

Image credit: Debby McCann on Flickr.com

   the  



Ruth is a shortened version of ‘retut’, which means “lovely friend”. Ruth was a Moabitess, who married into a family of Israelites. She was subsequently widowed. The Book of Ruth is a short book in the Old Testament that tells the story of this “beautiful gleaner”. She is remembered for her loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and her conversion to Judaism. The earnestness of her plea and her sincerity was expressed almost in the form of a prayer.

Ruth in Boaz's Field (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They were both destitute and Naomi tried to convince Ruth that she could offer her nothing but bitterness. Yet to Naomi she pleaded: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God.” (Ruth 1: 16) Ruth’s steadfastness ultimately resulted in her marriage to her deceased husband’s wealthy kinsman Boaz, who was the father of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David, the shepherd boy who became an anointed king of Israel.

Bible References:  RUTH – RUTH 1: 1 – 4: 22; MATT 1: 5

The Book of Ruth (Oprah’s Book Club)

Beautiful | Forward this Image

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

Related articles

• Who was Abimelech in the Book of Judges?(altruistico.wordpress.com)

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Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post

This concludes my study of the Ten Commandments in Christianity. Hope others find it helpful.

 

NEW Testament Penalty for Violating the Commandments: +++ Scrip Ref(s): Matthew 5: 19; Hebrews 10: 28 - 31"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.""He that despised Moses' Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: --of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy , who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace? --For we know Him that hath said, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL RECOMPENSE, says the Lord. And again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. --It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

** 10th Commandment:

COVETOUSNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." Penalty for Violating: NONE. Covetous is a sin of the heart. No one knows it is being committed except the person coveting. Whenever covetous is manifested, one of the other commandments is usually broken - theft, adultery, murder, etc. Examples of covetousness in the Bible: Achan (Joshua 7); Saul (1 Samuel 15:9, 19); Judas (Matthew 26:14, 15); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11); Balaam (2 Peter 2:15 with Jude 1:11). 10th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 5: 3   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

** 9th Commandment:

FALSE WITNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Deut 18: 16-21 9th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: COL 3: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

** 8th Commandment:

THEFT FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 15 "Thou shalt not steal." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 21: 16 8th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 4: 28   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

** 7th Commandment:

ADULTERY FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 14 "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Lev 20: 10 7th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 27 - 32 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if they right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE HER A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." READ also Mark 10: 2-12; and Luke 16: 18. ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 COR 6: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.