January 8, 2024
The biblical world had a love/hate relationship with shepherds. Shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34), and by the first century BC they were the ragamuffins of society (Luke 2:8-20). But Scripture has high regard for shepherds. . . .
December 18, 2023
Jesus was coming into the world—that is the essence of the Christmas story. . . .
December 11, 2023
In his encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, Jesus shattered gender, ethnic, religious, social, and cultural barriers. . . .
December 4, 2023
The biblical record of Jesus’ birth calls our attention to two kings. . . .
November 1, 2023
By Michael C. Mack Each Christmas I faithfully sing the hymn . . . though I question the historical accuracy of the words. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. . . . As I read the biblical accounts, I imagine the atmosphere surrounding Jesus’ birth as something other than silent, calm, and bright. More like clamorous and chaotic. The streets of Bethlehem are bustling as people from across the region arrive in their ancestral hometown to register for Caesar Augustus’s census. Joseph and Mary walk wide-eyed through throngs of fellow Jews from King David’s line hectically looking
September 25, 2023
Jesus was treated as he did not deserve so we could be treated as we do not deserve. . . .
September 1, 2023
A Biblical Character Study By Doug Redford In the first part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, entitled “Inferno” (Italian for Hell), Dante comes across the gates of Hell during his travels. There he sees these ominous words etched above the entrance to the underworld: “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” But when one enters the world of the Bible and travels through the landscape of its contents, a far different message resounds throughout its pages. That message is, “Embrace hope, all ye who enter here.” Paul’s words in Romans 15:4 affirm this invitation: “For everything that was written in
August 21, 2023
Jesus lived so that his death would not be for his own guilt, but for the guilt of others. . . .
August 7, 2023
God revealed to Habakkuk that he was going to bring justice to Judah via the nation of Babylon. This confused Habakkuk, for he struggled with God’s sense of justice. . . .
July 31, 2023
God’s heart of compassion provides a remedy for our sin.
July 24, 2023
Jeremiah 33 is about God’s promise to restore his people to their land and their prominence. The alternating pattern of judgment and blessing continues in this chapter. God’s faithfulness is one thing on which his people can consistently count.
July 24, 2023
Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled this messianic prophecy about “a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely” (Jeremiah 23:5). Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, the Righteous Branch, called his disciples branches, too? . . .
July 24, 2023
Questions for group discussion for use with this week's lesson titled “Hope in God's Faithfulness” (Jeremiah 33:1-11, 15-26).
July 17, 2023
Jeremiah 32 describes a real estate transaction a Bible commentator calls “one of the most remarkable examples of personal faith found in the Bible.” . . .
July 17, 2023
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Hope in God's Promise” (Jeremiah 32:2, 6-9, 16-27, 36-41).
July 10, 2023
Jeremiah 31 is clearly one of the high-water marks of the Old Testament. The new covenant is announced toward the end of the chapter; its text is quoted at length in Hebrews 8:7-13. But a bit earlier in the chapter is a messianic verse . . .
July 10, 2023
Jeremiah predicted dire consequences for the Jews. Because of their unfaithfulness, they would endure decades of Babylonian exile—an extended period of mourning. But God’s loving-kindness would never give up on them. . . .
July 10, 2023
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Hope in God's Loving-Kindness” (Jeremiah 31:1-17, 31-34).
July 3, 2023
Speaking on behalf of God, Jeremiah outlined nine duties for the exiles who had been carried away to Babylon.
July 3, 2023
What should you do when your circumstances don’t match your dreams and aspirations? Jeremiah’s message to the exiles can help any of us who find ourselves in uncomfortable situations.
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