There are lots of nuggets along the way in these two chapters. Particularly, I’m struck by the following. First of all, there is the example of Moses. It isn’t a good example here. He responds to God’s command and even to God’s promises with doubt and resistance. There is a particular warning for leaders in… Continue reading Application from the burning bush
Tag: Torah
A sign and a sending
The Burning Bush Moses joins in taking responsibility for his father-in-law, Jethro’s sheep. One day, he is taken the flock to pasture near to Horeb or Sinai. The author identifies this as the Mountain of the Lord, foreshadowing what will happen years later when God will choose this place to meet Moses and to give… Continue reading A sign and a sending
Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?
This question has divided opinion even amongst reformed evangelicals and the differences go back to the early days of the Reformation. Whilst there seems to have been a particularly “pro-Sabbatarian amongst the Puritans, reflected in the Westminster Confession, a more continental approach tended towards the view that the Sabbath pointed forwards to our eternal rest… Continue reading Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?
Taking God’s name in vain and loving your neighbour
Recently I was listening to a sermon on the two greatest commandments. The preacher pointed us back to the original command to “love your neighbour” in Leviticus 19. Something about the context caught my eye and so I’ve come back for a second look. The command is found in Leviticus 19:18. You;; notice that it… Continue reading Taking God’s name in vain and loving your neighbour
What do I owe Him?
Jesus is engaging all comers in debate, there have been Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians. One lawyer has been hanging back, observing. Now, he steps in with his question. Mark leaves open the question about whether this is intended as another trap but observes that this man has been impressed by Jesus’ answers so maybe there… Continue reading What do I owe Him?
Defiled (Mark 7)
Jesus is challenged about his disciples’ failure to observe the ritual/ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. Hand washing prior to meals was required not for hygiene reasons or to slow down a pandemic but to represent symbolically the need to be spiritually clean. Jesus’ response is that it isn’t the external things that matter. Their… Continue reading Defiled (Mark 7)
Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)
Near where we live is a restaurant. Whilst we’ve been living here, it has changed names a number of times. There’s a reason for that. The original restaurant had a bad name for poor quality food and dodgy hygiene. However, I think that on a few occasions, the name change was merely cosmetic. If you… Continue reading Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)
A small matter and a heart matter (Romans 2:14-21)
It has been a contentious week when it comes to identity and status. Did you pick up in the Meghan and Harry interview that so much of the fall out between the Sussexes and the Royal Family (not forgetting the media and the UK in general) was to do with the status of their son… Continue reading A small matter and a heart matter (Romans 2:14-21)
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