Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: There is no way that this simple post can adequately cover the vast material in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Seriously. I have to point back to the primary purpose of this blog at this time: read through the Bible and post thoughts that stick out as significant. With that disclaimer, let’s fly through …
Read: TheBibleProject.org’s video introduction to Matthew helps provide context and a framework within which we gain his perspective on the life of Jesus. Matthew choice of stories depend on some knowledge of what we call the Old Testament, common knowledge for those in his time. Today we read about John the Baptist’s preaching and baptizing …
Continue reading “Matthew: John Prepares the Way; Jesus’ Ministry Begins”
Read: Malachi’s prophetic and challenging words seem to flow well after reading . As contemporaries, Nehemiah was working to establish order out of the chaos of exile while Malachi focused on remembering the covenants of old. Both worked hand-in-hand to encourage the remnant and rebuke those who were misguided. The overarching theme that sticks out …
Read: Zechariah has all kinds of words of encouragement, a song to sing for all to hear and be glad. He spends little time on past sins (thankfully), focuses on joy and laughter, then paints a picture of the future to give us all great hope. Two years into the reign of King Darius, Zechariah …
Read: , and We left the story at the point where it appears the opposition has won, the work in Jerusalem came to a halt. Does that read like an ancient headline or a text you just received? Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in …
Read: Jonah’s preaching was only a temporary fix for the city of Nineveh, soon they returned to their evil ways. Nahum primarily speaks against them in words that depict the final fall of the once great city, perhaps the jewel of the Assyrian empire. They will not continue to abuse people. The Lord speaks through …
Read: Jonah is a short story that has captured the imaginations of countless people of all ages, but especially children in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools around the globe. It’s ironic that children enjoy the story while adults, if they would answer honestly, will most likely say it’s a fictional or allegorical work based …
Read: The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel, delivers his short and succinct message to Judah. Some say the locusts are allegorical while others point to the invasion of the devouring bugs as a real event that Joel uses to get people’s attention. Peter, the fisherman turned apostle, was certainly familiar with the words of Joel …
Read: Today we are treated to a vision that speaks to the people in exile, that offers them hope in a desperate time. We have to jump toward the end of this section to gain an understanding for this scripture: “Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and …
Read: We begin today with a parable of the figs: some good and some so bad that there is nothing that can be done about them…not even good enough to turn into Fig Newtons. Jeremiah continues to preach exile and wrath for the nations and is once again threatened, this time with death, until some …
Continue reading “Figs, Seventy Years of Exile, Jeremiah Threatened and Defended”