How can we summarize Isaiah? Is the book a collection of 66 chapters about a man names Isaiah? Does the book only apply to the people of Israel in a time long past? Is the book of Isaiah a prophetic view of God working through humanity despite the inherent unfaithfulness exhibited? How does the way we look at the book of Isaiah impact our faith today over two thousand years after the death of Jesus Christ. Looking back upon the book of Isaiah the unfaithfulness and disobedience of people is consistently evidenced. Time after time Isaiah tells the people of Israel that they are straying from God. Is the book just a repetitive collection of warnings against idolatry? If you leave your view of Isaiah upon this door step of negativity, disappointment, and discipline you will miss the true joy contained in the text. Continue Reading…
True joy glimpsed in a Promise: Isaiah Summary
Still awaiting the fulfillment of promise: Isaiah 7 and 8
What is faithfulness? How do we measure hope? In Isaiah a promise is given by God to the people of Israel that help and hope will come into the of despair and wickedness of the world. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah-the king of Assyria.’” Isaiah 7:14-17 How would you live knowing that a promise from God had been given that will bring hope to your weary, broken, and helpless life? Would you wait expectantly for the fulfillment of the promise? How long do we wait for before we give up hope? The expectation and desire for complete fulfillment of a promise is based wholly on the the progenitor of the promise. Is God faithful? Can you hope in Him? Continue Reading…
The covenant remains unbroken: Ezra Summary
Is God someone who we can depend upon and trust to fulfill His promises? How often do you keep your promises? Does trust come naturally to people or do naturally lack the faith in people? How is trust and faith developed? The people of Israel fell into depravity over the years as men followed their own hearts instead of setting it towards God to find courage to act as He would want. God stripped away everything that the people in Israel held dear. The people of Israel may have thought that the story ended there alone and helpless but God was true to his promise. Continue Reading…
God’s promise to David and humanity: 1 Chronicles 17 and 18
I love how the idea of dwelling is used consistently in 1 Chronicles 17 when God tells David that he would not build Him a permeant place to dwell. What does it mean for God to dwell? God is everywhere so when He dwells among us what is that saying? “Thus says the Lord, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.” 1 Chronicles 17:4,5 The idea of God dwelling in one particular place confuses me since He is omnipresent. Is dwelling similar to the idea of abiding? God chose to dwell among the people of Israel. Do you sense the amazing reality of the fact that God chose to dwell among the Israelites. God didn’t need the Israelites because He needs nothing but He still desired them. Continue Reading…
God’s promise to Abraham and a prayer prayed: 1 Chronicles 3 and 4
When you read through 1 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4 you will again find a detailed genealogy. Chapter 3 is devoted to the descendants of David while chapter 4 starts the listing of the genealogies of the tribes of Israel with the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Do you appreciate all the names that are given? Do you care about the names of the people? As I read through all of these names I am amazed at God’s faithfulness. Abraham was given a promise that from his seed he would have descendants numberless as the sand on the seashore. This genealogy is proof again that God will complete the promises he makes to us. Take hope knowing that God never casually gives a promise to us. Continue Reading…
True worship of God expressed in love: 1 Kings 7 and 8
Why did Solomon build such an amazing Temple? Why are we given such details about the actual Temple building and all of the fixtures within the Temple? Does God look at the physical building when people gather to worship him or does He look upon the motives of the people who are gathering to worship Him? What do you think God cares about? The question of how we worship God is nothing new because we are always trying to obtain a direct, tangible, and concrete definition of what faith in God truly looks like. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Hebrews 11:1,2 In Hebrews we are told that the men of old gained approval by faith and a long list of noteworthy people of renown are listed. So why did Solomon build this temple for the Lord? What does worship look like? What is expressed in worship? Continue Reading…
God’s sovereignty in tribulation instills clarity: 2 Samuel 15 and 16
Who is David? As I have read through 2 Samuel I have been getting a better picture of this great leader of Israel. My initial view of David prior to this time of quiet reflection about his character was built upon what I heard in sunday school, church services, and bible studies. I remember hearing that David was a man after God’s own heart but I never wondered about him in a deeper way beyond the touted characteristics repeatedly presented to me. The picture that we are presented in 2 Samuel shapes David into a man plagued with personal problems, family problems, and problems ruling over Israel but the consistent trait that David displays through out his life is total dependance upon God. Continue Reading…
David was to Mephibosheth as Jesus is to me: 2 Samuel 9 and 10
What quality of life and hope for the future was there for a cripple during the time of David’s rule of Israel? After the death of Saul everything happening within Israel was chaotic and in 2 Samuel 4:4 the story of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth’s flight from danger is given with one simple verse. In all the urgency to flee after the death of Jonathan and Saul he was dropped by his nurse and became crippled in his feet at the age of five. Continue Reading…
To what foundation is your anchor of life tied: 2 Samuel 7 and 8
What does God truly desire from me? What activities do I feel compelled to do for myself, my family, my friends, or God? How may of these self imposed initiatives are truly the desire God has for my life? In 2 Samuel 7 there is a time of rest from war within Israel and David has a desire to build God a permanent Temple. God tells David that he is not the one who will build a temple for the Lord. Was there something wrong with David’s desire to build God a temple to dwell in? What did the people of Israel need most of all at that moment in time? Was a temple imperative for the people of Israel of God? The people of Israel needed a strong leader to shepherd them more than anything else. The people need to learn how to follow God and honor him and that is the task set before David. Continue Reading…
Calamity ensues and God’s sovereignty endures: 1 Samuel 21 and 22
How do you live with the actions and choices made throughout your life? Are we to live in constant fear of what we do in life? How can we have confidence to press on in difficult times? Did these thoughts of doubt and fear go through David’s mind after the wicked deeds of Saul in 1 Samuel 22? In 1 Samuel 21 David has departed from Jonathan after he learned with certainty that Saul was desiring to kill him. David’s flight from Saul leads him to Nob where Ahimelech the priest lived and served the Lord. Continue Reading…
