August 14, 2023
August 20 | Justice Dispensed
The world is on a collision course with the God of justice. If God did not punish sin, he would be untrue to his word and his nature (Romans 3:26). . . .
Articles for tag: Judah
August 14, 2023
August 20 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Justice Dispensed” (Zephaniah 2:1-15), by Mark Scott.
August 7, 2023
August 13 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Where Is the Justice?” (Habakkuk 1:12-17; 2:1-20), by Mark Scott.
June 26, 2023
July 2 | Hope in Repentance
Jeremiah held out the prospect of avoiding coming judgment for the people of Judah, provided they would repent. But alas, the people refused, and judgment came. . . .
June 5, 2023
June 11 | Warning for Idol Worshippers
This section of Jeremiah begins 13 oracles of God’s case against Judah that continue through chapter 25. . . .
November 22, 2021
Crushing God
We often ponder the impact of our sinful choices on our lives and spirits, but do we consider the impact of our sin on God?
March 18, 2019
Lesson for March 24, 2019: God Blesses Those Who Forgive (Joseph)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 3 (weeks 9-12; March 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Text: Genesis 45:1-15; 50:15-21 Lesson Aim: Seek the blessing of healing, which comes through forgiveness ______ By Mark Scott “When deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive. . . . Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future” (Mary Karen Read, last journal entry before being
March 4, 2019
Lesson for March 10, 2019: God Blesses the Repentant (Judah)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 3 (weeks 9-12; March 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Text: Genesis 37:26, 27; 44:17-34 Lesson Aim: Experience the blessing of God through repentance. ______ By Mark Scott The website for futurologist Leonard Sweet is called “Preach the Story.” The thesis of the website is that in all the little stories of the Bible there is the embedded big story of God’s plan to rescue
December 4, 2018
A Sign and a Prediction, Both Fulfilled
(This Communion meditation originally appeared in our December 1, 1998, edition.) By Kent Fillinger The year was 734 BC. King Ahaz of Judah was under attack by the countries of Syria and Ephraim, which were trying to dethrone him. In order to encourage King Ahaz, God told King Ahaz to ask Him for a sign. When the ruler asked, God said, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, New International Version). “Immanuel” means “God with us.” This
July 24, 2017
Lesson for July 30, 2017: Amos (Amos 7)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the July 23, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott In the field of education, accreditation is an organized means of ensuring academic quality. One question might be: who determines that academic quality? Who has the authority to say whether or not some aspect of education is good? What happens if those with the credentials, the clout, the majority, and the machinery are all wrong?
December 10, 2016
Take a Look at the Family Photo Album of Jesus
By Matt Proctor One of my favorite Christmas pastimes is sitting with my kids and looking through family photo albums. Almost every picture sparks a story about their ancestors: “¢ “There”s your Great-Grandpa Weede. Oh, he loved to joke. One time, he painted faces on his two big farm-fuel tanks. One had a smiley face that said, “˜I”ve got diesel.” The other had a frowning face that said, “˜I”ve got gas!” “The whole county knew his laugh . . . and his faith. He prayed every day for every grandkid by name.” “¢ “And there”s your Granny Ruth. A strong,
May 30, 2016
Lesson for June 5, 2016: The Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:4″“6, 14″“16; 2:3)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the May 29 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott The Bible is full of contrasts related to God”s people. There was the line of Seth and the way of Cain; the sons of God and the daughters of men; the seed of promise (Isaac) and the house of Ishmael; the kingdom of God and
August 3, 2015
Lesson for August 9, 2015: A Choice to Be Just (Ezra 7:1, 6, 21-28; Jeremiah 7:1-15)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 2 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jeremiah is one of the best-known Old Testament prophets. He tried valiantly to save the people of Judah from falling to Babylon, but was unsuccessful. After King Josiah”s positive changes, the nation had again slipped back into sin. As Jeremiah warned, the Hebrew people were facing God”s certain judgment. Before the end of the book, events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem
September 29, 2014
Lesson for October 5, 2014: Yet Will I Rejoice (Job 1; Psalm 56; Habakkuk 1″“3)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 28 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone All that is known of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk is found in his short book. Even this does not tell us his genealogy, nor when he prophesied. Most Bible students place him as a contemporary of Jeremiah (627-586 BC). The book begins with God raising up the Babylonians as an instrument to punish Palestine. Habakkuk delivered two complaints to
May 27, 2013
Lesson for June 2, 2013: Worship and Respond (Isaiah 6)
By Sam E. Stone This quarter we will consider God”s people and worship, learning from Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. First we will study important sections from Isaiah. His book includes many important messianic prophecies. Israel was to be the means by which God”s blessing would come to all nations of the world. Isaiah prophesied during the divided kingdom. He was called in the year that King Uzziah died (about 740 BC), with most of his ministry focused on the southern kingdom (Judah). In the opening chapters of his book, Isaiah warns the rebellious people of God”s judgment upon them. In
November 29, 2010
Lesson for Dec. 5, 2010: God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 5) is written by Teresa D. Welch, assistant professor of Christian education at Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tennessee. God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31) By Teresa D. Welch Are you waiting, worried, or weary? What concerns do you carry? Wars and rumors of wars? Economic upheaval and increased poverty? Political decisions and governmental policies? Religious hostility or indifference? The words of God recorded in Isaiah 40 are delivered to the nation of Judah, which had these concerns and many more. The people of God
