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Category Archives: enemies
steadfast love
Psalm 36 The threats the psalmists calls to our attention are very real, because there are people who are deeply invested in transgression. They do not fear God, and are constantly plotting trouble for others. But God’s steadfast faithfulness and … Continue reading
dirty work
1 Kings 2 The dark side of Solomon’s peaceful reign is shown in this chapter. Benaiah goes about executing the enemies of Solomon, thereby preventing more insurrection and civil war. But each enemy is given a chance to show himself … Continue reading
in retrospect: no empty word
Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47 Moses’ retirement speech was not a series of platitudes and celebration of the past. He shared a warning for the generations that followed. God is not like the gods of the nations that the Israelites are about to … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, enemies, ethnic Israel, judgment, plan of God
Tagged Deuteronomy 31, Deuteronomy 32
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Jacob: tragedy at Shechem
Genesis 34. Two wrongs do not make a right. The rape of Dinah by Shechem was inexcusable. But the treachery of Jacob’s sons in insisting that the men of the town be circumcised – only to weaken them so that … Continue reading
Abraham: Beersheba
Genesis 21:22-34. It would be 1000 years before the Philistines would be major players in the conflict over the Holy Land. But Abraham meets up with king Abimelech and his commanding general and established a covenant with them. Abraham attested … Continue reading
the age before the future
Revelation 6. The four chariots of Zechariah 6 represent spying out the land, but the four horses of Revelation 6 are war horses. They represent attacks against the whole earth. This chapter parallels Jesus’ descriptions of this age of tribulation … Continue reading
living devotees
1 Peter 3:13-4:19. Peter encourages believers to face the times they are in with complete devotion to Christ. God may allow them to face challenges to their faith. As living devotees, them must honor Christ the Lord as holy, and … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, conflict, discipleship, enemies, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, perseverance, suffering, witness
Tagged 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 4
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hard questions and heaven’s king
Matthew 22:15-46. The various religious and political parties in Jerusalem had decided to get rid of Jesus by publically humiliating him. They each chose a hard question to ask him “to entangle him in his words.” Jesus shows the … Continue reading
mission and heaven’s king
Matthew 10. Chapter 9 had concluded with Jesus commanding his disciples to pray for more harvesters. Chapter ten begins with commencement day. Jesus calls his twelve disciples and tells them “You know those apostles you have been praying for? – … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, destruction in hell, enemies, gospel, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Matthew 10
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expectations and heaven’s king
Matthew 9. In this chapter, Matthew reveals how much Jesus challenged the status quo as he ministered in Capernaum. He was not what people expected of the Messiah. Questions emerged everywhere he went – some out of opposition, but … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, enemies, faith, humility, kingdom of God, ministry, pride
Tagged Matthew 9
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