Bitter-Sweet As the people move on from the Red Sea crossing, they search for water but find none in the desert for three days, until they come to a place they name Marah, the name is a play on the Hebrew for bitter. There is something off about the water, it tastes bitter. The people… Continue reading A hungry and thirsty people
Tag: Old Testament
The baptism of Naaman
I wonder if you’ve ever preached on Naaman at a baptism service. Of course there could be a very cliched and unhelpful way of doing this, simply focusing on the fact that Naaman goes down into water and out again, baptism by immersion QED. You might end up with some iffy practical application there, Are… Continue reading The baptism of Naaman
Where do you stand?
The Ukrainian situation has changed dramatically in the past few months. The rhetoric from Britain and America for most of the war has been that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainians as they face down Russian aggression. However, since President Trump’s inauguration, it has been clear that the US sees itself as having… Continue reading Where do you stand?
Over hearers
How do you preach a book like Obadiah? The prophecy is one of judgement and it would be tempting to launch into a hell fire and brimstone denunciation of the congregation. But is that what they need to hear. Even if rebuke and challenge is needed, does Obadiah’s message properly fit? If you feel uncomfortable… Continue reading Over hearers
Why study the life of Abraham?
In the Spring, our church did a series on Galatians. Later in the Autumn, we will be working through the book of James. It’s important to read something like James alongside Galatians to help us deepen our understanding of what true faith looks like. Galatians shows us that we are not saved by works, it’s… Continue reading Why study the life of Abraham?
In what order do you read the Old Testament?
If you pick up a Bible, you’ll find that it’s divided into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Now, there are pros and cons to those labels. They arose fairly early in church history to distinguish the part of Scripture that particularly focused on the New Covenant (later referred to as Testament),… Continue reading In what order do you read the Old Testament?
Vashti’s defiance
The story of Esther starts in the emperor’s palace. Ahasuerus, most closely identified with Xerxes is described in terms of power and wealth. He is described as ruling over an empire from Africa to India (1:1-2). He throws a party to show off his wealth and opulence (1:4-8). This wasn’t just a knees up and… Continue reading Vashti’s defiance
Death of a king
Saul’s family tree (9:35-44) Although the kingdom ends with Saul, his family line continues Battle (10:1-7) Defeat of Israel at Gilboa Saul’s sons are killed Leithart compares him to Goliath also defeated by missile and sword. [1] “Saul’s suicide is an appropriate gesture: he is the troubler of his own house.”[2] The people flee What… Continue reading Death of a king
Reading the Psalms: Digging into the detail
In my last article I talked about how we read the Psalms by reading them in context but just like with any other book of the Bible, we also have to step in to the detailed exegesis. Here are some further hints to help us with our Psalm reading. First, if you want to read… Continue reading Reading the Psalms: Digging into the detail
Roots and Branches
Here’s the next part of “What Matters” – a teaching series on 1 and 2 Chronicles Adam to Noah v1-4 Japheth’s descendants v 5-7 Ham’s descendants v8-13 Shem’s -Abram v17-24 Abraham v28-33 Isaac v33-37 Edom/Esau (v38-50). The narrative seems bare. We cover the equivalent of most of Genesis in 1 chapter. However, it may tell… Continue reading Roots and Branches
