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
A love between bride and bridegroom: Song of Solomon Summary
The words of Solomon recorded within Song of Solomon provide a poetical love song between Solomon and his bride. They both relish in each other and their love for each other is intoxicating and all consuming. It can be difficult to read through Song of Solomon because it can be very graphic as Solomon describes his love for his bride. In the midst of Song of Solomon there is a great picture of God’s love for His people contained in the view that Solomon has for his bride. God expressed such a great love for mankind when Jesus Christ died willingly on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world. It was a furiously passionate love that compelled God to restore the fellowship between mankind and Himself. Do you marveled at the wonderful love of God? Will you trust in the all sufficient power of God? Continue Reading…
God’s voice of wisdom calling out to you: Proverbs Summary
Wisdom abounds within the pages of Proverbs; no matter what circumstance you find yourself in you will find hope, direction, and help from the wisdom of Proverbs. Read through Proverbs and you will find that behind all of the experience and wisdom imparted there is a voice that is calling out for you to know it. The voice is that of God who is seeking to save you from your sinful existence. “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:3-7 Continue Reading…
A question of legacy and posterity: Psalms Summary
The story that God has woven throughout creation, as evidenced in Scripture, speaks to the work of God in the lives of earthen vessels. Creation was perverted by the curse of sin but the grace of God purposed to restore that fellowship long before it was ever broken. God is at work in the lives of mankind and He has given us everything that we need to survive. God offered up Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and then He tabernacles within us through the Holy Spirit. We are richly blessed beyond all measure and comprehension. Oh that the story ended at this moment with the war over but the truth is that sin still rages in its lost battle causing as much collateral damage as possible. Continue Reading…
Peace, hope and purpose found in a proper perspective: Job Summary
The story in the book of Job is portrayed on two distinct levels. At the macro-level we see the impetus for the calamity that befalls Job when God discusses His servant with Satan resulting in God allowing Satan to bring calamity upon Job. On the micro-level we see the loss of family, wealth and health for Job along with the futile comfort offered by his friends Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz. How do we cope when calamities come upon us when outwardly we only see our life from the midst of trouble and tribulation? Can hope be had in the midst of calamity? How do we deal with the anger and despair that vies for our attention when we are in the midst of trouble?
Job was faced with his way of life being disturbed and radically changed when his children, livestock and health were struck by Satan. Job had no foreknowledge that these events that transformed his life were ordained and allowed by God. His main concern was questioning why these events happened to him, an upright man who sought God above all. The knowledge and faith that Job had in God was great but his perspective on his situation was fixed inwardly and not upon God. Continue Reading…
Joy, fulfillment, and blessing from God: Esther Summary
The book of Esther takes place during the exile of Israel between the time when Persia conquers Babylon and the return of Zerubbabel to Jerusalem. What is the overall theme of Esther? Is the book about a rags-to-riches journey of a young woman? Is the book just a random picture of life for the Israelites in exile? Does the story really apply to people living in the church today? God’s faithfulness is evident in the lives of the people of Israel throughout the book. The seemingly small events that unfold for Esther and Mordecai are instrumentally used as God delivers the Israelites from peril. Continue Reading…
God’s faithfulness shown to His people: Nehemiah Summary
Does God answer prayer? What is true leadership? Is God faithful to fulfill His promises? These are the questions that are answered in the book of Nehemiah? The setting found in the post exilic time for Israel as different groups of refugees escape from Babylon and return home to Israel to the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the cup bearer for king Artaxerxes of Persia, leads one of these groups back.
Have you ever been moved to pray fervently for God’s help and deliverance? Nehemiah hears of the ruined wall and gates of Jerusalem and his spirit becomes downcast. He prays that God would help His people, Israel. When you pray to God do you actually believe that He exists, He hears you and that He is faithful? Did Nehemiah think that God would use him to answer his prayer? Was Nehemiah surprised when Artaxerxes showed concern for his servant? In the moment when some would have been fearful to speak up to the king Nehemiah trusted that God was working in his midst. 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…
Failure of Judah foreshadows The Deliverer: 2 Chronicles Summary
Can man ever be truly faithful to God? When there are brilliant expressions of men being faithful to God only to see the spectacular failure of their sons who wholeheartedly turn away from God, where will we find hope? 2 Chronicles builds its foundation upon the history of the kingdom of Judah. The events detailed in 1 and 2 Kings are told again in 2 Chronicles but with an emphasis on the actions of the kings of Judah. The storyline of Judah that is told in 2 Chronicles has a mostly positive feel compared to 2 Kings and 1 Chronicles. The people of Judah remain steadfast in their resolve to worship God while the people in Israel are turning away from God. Continue Reading…
Call for God fearing leadership within the home: 2 Kings Summary
How do you live, breathe, and exist in a world filled with so many idols and avenues leading to idolatry? The book of 2 Kings focuses on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah from the end of Elijah’s ministry, seen in 1 Kings, to the beginning of the Babylonian captivity. The main theme relayed throughout the book is the idea of a legacy and it’s faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The Israelites have been living in the promised land for generations and the words spoken by Moses and Joshua about guarding themselves from the idols and idolatry of the inhabitants of the land they possessed have come to fruition with the adoption of the god’s throughout the land and a lack of respect and regard for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Continue Reading…
