Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
rage or sing?
Psalm 2 The people who first sang this song were making a faith statement about their king. Even though the other nations around them were straining under his harness, and plotting to overthrow him, the Israelites knew that he was … Continue reading
dysfunctional
1 Chronicles 3 In the center of this three chapter genealogy is the line of David. Long after the demise of the Davidic monarchy, records of David’s line are kept and published. There is still hope that a man will … Continue reading
two men, two plants, two ways
Psalm 1 The temptation is to teach Psalm 1 as some kind of guarantee that if people want to be happy and prosperous this year all they have to do is read and meditate on scripture. I will not yield … Continue reading
refusing to forget
1 Chronicles 2 Looking back on this family record, the remnants of Judah are seeking some kind of word from God that explains who they are and where they are going. Their story is one of brokenness and failure. They … Continue reading
control
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Wisdom is not about changing the environment so that things happen the way we want them to. Wisdom embraces the world around it, and lets the time determine itself. Wisdom wants to laugh, but is ready to cry. … Continue reading
impact
1 Chronicles 1 The list of names in this chapter is impressive. Although the chapter traces some of the family tree of Israel, it mostly lists the descendants of Adam who branched off to make an impact on the world … Continue reading
it’s a wonderful life
Job 42:7-17 Job’s restoration begins when God intercedes, and the first thing to be restored is his relationship with those three therapists. Job takes the upper hand and prays for them. This is more than simply a vindication of Job’s … Continue reading
Posted in compassion, dependence upon God, family, Job, relationship with God
Tagged Job 42
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best guesses
Job 40:6-42:6 The LORD first challenges Job, and Job quickly repents and submits. While Job was right to defend himself, he really did not understand God enough to explain what was happening to him. God describes two powerful creatures, showing … Continue reading
Posted in creation, humility, Job, submission, worldview
Tagged Job 40, Job 41, Job 42
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greater wisdom
Job 39:1-40:5 The LORD reminds Job of all those ways of the animal world – both wild and tame, that are beyond the scientific enquiry of humans. There are some things that we are not meant to understand. How God … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, Job, wisdom
Tagged Job 39, Job 40
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limits
Job 38 The LORD comes on the scene in a dramatic and powerful way. All this time, he had been waiting for the experts on him to finish their babbling. Now he takes center stage and confronts Job with his … Continue reading
