Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
go from your country
Gen. 12. The LORD makes several promises to Abram in this chapter. He promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, and that all these signs of grace will result in Abram being … Continue reading
offended by Jesus?
Luke 7. The centurion at Capernaum was honoured to be prayed for by Jesus; he did not even feel worthy for Jesus to visit his home. The inhabitants of Nain were in awe and fear of Jesus and proclaimed him … Continue reading
successful leadership
1 Chronicles 11. David showed three signs of successful godly leadership. He had the LORD’s appointment as demonstrated by his anointing. He had the recognition of the people as demonstrated by their following him into the conquest of Jebus. He … Continue reading
let us build a city
Gen. 11. Babel was humanity’s chance to make something of themselves — outside of God’s plan. The words we read here are seen by the humanist as those of a frightened god, afraid that his creatures will live up to … Continue reading
the hidden God
Psalm 10. To the wicked person, God is hidden. The wicked person acts like an atheist. He ignores God’s judgments and assumes his own immortality. He does what he can get away with. To the righteous person, this is an … Continue reading
breach of faith
1 Chronicles 10. Saul’s suicide brought shame to Israel and gave the Philistines a reason to gloat. What was the root cause of such a tragedy in a kingdom that God promised to bless? Perhaps knowing the answer to that … Continue reading
bearing fruit before the flood
Luke 6:17-49. The key to understanding Jesus’ sermon on the level place is the flood imagery of verse 48. Jesus uses the flood imagery because of how God had used a flood to destroy the earth during the days of … Continue reading
praise and prediction
Psalm 8. David reflects on the glory of God manifested in his own life and leadership. He thinks about his songs of worship, and praises God that he has used the words of a mere babe and infant to still … Continue reading
hometown advantage
Luke 4:14-44. At first, things went quite well for Jesus when he visited his hometown of Nazareth. All eyes were upon him, and they listened with approval as he explained about his ministry of rescuing the blind from their darkness, … Continue reading
a pregnant man
Psalm 7. David has apparently been accused of wronging someone by Cush, of the tribe of Benjamin. It may be that Cush had some property and David acquired it, and Cush spread word that David had gained it by wicked … Continue reading
