In Galatians 1:14, Paul describes his extreme zeal with regards to the Law (both written and oral traditions). Commentators associate this idea of zeal with a fascinating incident from the Old Testament.[1] The incident is referred to in Psalm 106:30-31 and described in Numbers 25:1-9. In Numbers 24, a prophet called Balaam had attempted to… Continue reading Zeal and righteousness
Tag: Moses
What do you need to see? (Mark 8:8-12)
Yesterday we saw Jesus willingness to repeat a sign to help his disciples get the point. Today, we find him refusing to play the Pharisee’s game and meet their demands for a sign. Are those two things in tension? Do they contradict each other? On the one hand, we’ve just said that Christ is more… Continue reading What do you need to see? (Mark 8:8-12)
“He meant to pass by them” (Mark 6:45-51)
I just want to pick up two specific phrase in the account of Jesus walking on water. The disciples have set off back across the lake from the site of the miraculous feeding. Jesus stays behind to talk to his Father but he can see that they are struggling against the wind. He walks out… Continue reading “He meant to pass by them” (Mark 6:45-51)
The Shepherd King who feeds his people
If Herod is the pretend king who throws a feast for himself where food is brought to him, food resulting from death, then Jesus is a different kind of king altogether. Jesus is the true king who calls a feast in order to feed his people with life giving bread. The Feeding of the Five… Continue reading The Shepherd King who feeds his people
Does God allow lies sometimes?
I remember an ethics lecturer arguing that it could be okay to lie in particular circumstances. The obvious ethical dilemma is the situation that people hiding Jews in the Second World War might have faced. Do they tell the truth when questioned and risk the lives of those in their care? Or do they tell… Continue reading Does God allow lies sometimes?
The Challenge (Genesis 3)
At this point, all looks well. God has created a good creation, fit for purpose. Humans live in that Creation, enjoying a garden paradise under God’s rule and blessing. They are responsible for caring for and ruling over creation. Then things start to go wrong The Enemy The Serpent’s cunning (v1). The snake is introduced… Continue reading The Challenge (Genesis 3)
The Garden (Genesis 2:4-25)
Introduction We now get what many scholars take to be a second and possibly contradictory creation account.[1] By the way, I think it is unlikely that someone would just stick two contradictory accounts side by side: common sense tells me that. There are also good reasons found in the text itself for rejecting that suggestion… Continue reading The Garden (Genesis 2:4-25)
Honey From the Rock
I was a late comer to the mixing of sweet and savoury. I could not wrap my head around the idea of adding bacon to a delicious plate of pancakes and syrup. As for salted caramel, that sounded just plain wrong. However I must concede that it really works. The salt offsets the sugar so… Continue reading Honey From the Rock
Handover (Deuteronomy 31)
These last few weeks have been slightly peculiar for me. Anyone who has come to the end of an employment position or even voluntary role will be familiar with this. I remain employed at the Chapel until the end of the year and part of the eldership. There are lots of things that are happening… Continue reading Handover (Deuteronomy 31)
Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30)
There’s a young man, he has travelled far from home. He has had a great time but now he has spent up and is bankrupt. A famine hits. He gets a job but it still isn’t paying the bills and so he goes hungry. There’s a sheep out on the hillside. It had been wandering… Continue reading Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30)
Faithroots 