Posts from September 2022 (Page 2)

                  Out of all the prophets, we probably know the least about Joel.  We also have trouble indicating the time frame in which it was written, because unlike the other book of prophecy, Joel gives no information of his time frame.  There is no mention of being with other prophets and there is also no mention of any kings that would have ruled.  A possible explanation might be due to a period in Judah’s history when they had no…

                     Ever heard an angry toddler yell that? He’s determined to accomplish something on his own and refuses your help. As parents, we chuckle and watch those fierce little ones in amusement, knowing we could help if only they would let us. In some ways, we’re all like toddlers. We insist we know better than God. We don’t need His help, His guidance, His input. The Israelites were guilty of this, too. Despite all that God had done…

                  How important is the daily study of God’s Word to my life? What benefit is there of having a thorough understanding of God’s laws? How does a lack of knowledge of God’s Word affect me? These are questions that we can get answered as we look at the ministry of the prophet Hosea to God’s people. Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of economic prosperity for God’s people, but a time of spiritual…

                  How much does God love me? To what degree is God still willing to demonstrate His love to me despite my many failings? Through the prophet Hosea, we learn of God’s great love for His people. The prophet Hosea ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel during the days of the reign of Jereboam the son of Joash. From an economic standpoint the nation was enjoying a time of prosperity and growth (cf. 2 Kings 14:23-29); however, from…

  DISCUSSION                                                        Prayer is a major part of the Christian faith, yet most Christians feel like their prayer life is inadequate.  One of the reasons why most feel as though their prayer life is not what it should be is because we don’t receive an answer as fast as we would like.   The prophet Daniel is known for his prayer life.  Even in the midst of the threat of being…

  DISCUSSION                                                     One of the strangest stories of the Bible is found in Daniel 5.  King Belshazzar is enjoying his fill in a massive party that entailed drinking and probably a lot of rated R activity.  All the while they are praising all the various gods of gold, silver, bronze, wood, stone and probably anything else they could imagine.  Amidst all their revelry, the fingers of a human hand appear out…

  DISCUSSION                                                                          Courage is defined as mental or moral strength to  venture , persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.  As we read the first few chapters of the book of Daniel, courage is a word that comes to mind.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were all friends who were faced with great fear, yet they…

  DISCUSSION                                                                                As the vision of Ezekiel ends, God gives him a glimpse of what the future of this Temple will bring.  The vision that he revives is one where he is standing at the door of the Temple and watching as water flows from the threshold.  This water continues to flow from…

  DISCUSSION                                     As God further reveals this vision to Ezekiel of the future Temple, He has some special instructions to the Levites.  As we know, the Levities were the priests of the nation and were responsible for making sure that all the offerings and sacrifices of the people were being done in the appropriate way.  Even though these priests were ordained by God, there was still a possibility of them being corrupt…

  DISCUSSION                                                    As the book of Ezekiel closes out, God is giving Ezekiel a tour of the Temple that is to come in the post exilic period.  In Ezekiel 43, God reveals to Ezekiel His glory as it fills the Temple.  Even Ezekiel declared that it was reminiscent of what he saw when God originally called him by the Chebar canal. Ezekiel seems to have been overwhelmed with his senses at…

  DISCUSSION                                      Centuries before Ezekiel ever existed, God made a promise to Abram as He was leaving Ur of the Chaldees on a journey of self-discovery and providential purpose.  That Promise that God made to Abraham has served as the core of Jewish theology ever since. During the famine of Jacob, God’s promise remained.  Through the slavery of Egypt, God promise remained.  All the while, during the conquest of Canaan by Joshua,…

  DISCUSSION                                                     These messages of Ezekiel are messages of hope for the future.  God would in time transform His people and bring them back to their land of Promise (Ezekiel 36.24).  Ezekiel lays out this transformation process that the Lord gave to him.  Today, within this same process, we can see how Christ transforms every sinner who places their trust in Him.  First, God…