Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: I really believe the people of Israel know they are out of step with God, deeply in sin, to the point that they cannot see their way out. My heart breaks for the common family working in the fields, those trying to be faithful to God while their leaders chase fantasies. Hosea’s direction is …
Continue reading “Hosea: Israel’s Addiction to Prostitution”
Read: The first of the minor prophets takes us to the tragic time when Israel, the northern kingdom, was about to be swept away into exile by the Assyrians. The kings of southern kingdom were: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The northern kings: Jeroboam II, Zechariah (not the prophet), Shallum, Pekahiah, Menahem, Pekah and Hoshea. …
Continue reading “Hosea: Unfaithful Wife and the Love of God”
Read: And so we come to the last chapter in the book of Daniel. It was probably more appropriate to keep this chapter with the previous post, but I wanted some time to reflect on the brief writings of this prophet. The dream continues and the interpretation is rich: There will be a time of …
Read: Daniel is given an incredible vision that covers many events that will unfold, kings that rise and fall, powerful people that come and go. The conclusion is stated a number of times, “but only for a time…for it will still come at the appointed time.” In the end, after it’s all said and done, …
Read: Daniel’s visions are detailed and somewhat disturbing. His prayer and incredible devotion give us an example to admire and challenge us to a higher level. : Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat Another vivid vision that captured Daniel’s thoughts, I can imagine he woke up sweating! …suddenly a goat with a prominent horn …
Continue reading “Another Vision from Daniel and His Prayer”
Read: It’s Daniel’s turn to have a dream, along with the interpretation by an angel within the dream. His dream was rather elaborate, one that must have been like being immersed in a virtual reality scene that seems real and unreal at the same time. Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind …
Read: Today we read one of the best known stories from the Bible — Daniel in the Lions’ Den. I say best known stories, but I wonder how many outside the ever-secularized world have actually read the 28 verses that capture the entire story? The brevity of the narrative in no way detracts from the …
Read: Two chapters that provide opposing viewpoints from kings that ruled Babylonia: Nebuchadnezzar (ch. 4) and his son (ch. 5). Their response to Daniel’s interpretations is significant: one humbled himself and enjoyed his position, the other chose not to show reverence to God and died. While the lesson is certainly about recognizing God is the …
Read: If I were to look back through the years of Vacation Bible Schools and many other events that honor heroes of the Bible, I’m sure I’d find this story told over and over countless times. It’s a fascinating narrative that depicts a self-absorbed king that is awed by a miraculous intervention. You probably know …
Read: One of the key themes in Daniel is God’s deliverance in times of great trials–during times of difficulty, not from times of pain. Daniel’s reaction each time involves praying to God for help when troubles greet Daniel and his friends and I think it’s a model for us to learn from as our daily …