The Old Testament is a book filled with rich imagery and many of the seeds of the faith we proclaim as Christians. Our whole study up to this point has been an examination of many of foundation pieces God laid in our story: promises which impacted the immediate and long-term future not only of Israel, […]
Unfolding Scripture: God’s Covenant with David
Following the life and death of Moses, Israel lived for generations without a king. Joshua brought them into the promised land, and for a time, they lived up to their end of the covenant. But, in a cycle that would repeat itself a dozen times, Israel would fall into sin and God would allow them […]
Unfolding Scripture: God’s Covenant with Moses
Following the time of Abraham, the people of God embark on an incredible journey. There’s some good, there’s some bad, and there’s some ugly. The descendants of Israel (Jacob) had grown from twelve sons into twelve tribes – and they’d gone to live in Egypt, as God had used the jealousy of brothers to save […]
Unfolding Scripture: God’s Covenant with Abraham
Most of the time when you hear about a life change for a seventy year old man, we’re talking about retirement, downsizing, and the twilight of life. I have great hopes that when I’m into my seventies, I get the chance to step back, have time to study and to pray, and to take joy […]
Unfolding Scripture: God’s Covenant with Noah
It’s one of the most audacious scenes in the Bible. Eight human beings: Noah; his unnamed wife – it’s probably most appropriate to call her ‘Joan’ (…of the Ark…); his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth; their wives; and a pair of every animal except (apparently) unicorns climb onboard a MASSIVE ship built in the middle […]
Unfolding Scripture: Mark 10
The first section of Mark 10 (1-12) contains some of Jesus’ most explicit thought on marriage. He is initially challenged by the Pharisees to explain why Moses allowed divorce while Jesus speaks of the permanence of marriage. Jesus responds first by identifying humanity’s “hardness of heart” (Mark 10:5) as the excuse for Moses’ provision […]