Category Archives: idolatry

rejecting the fantasy

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Isaiah 44:6-28 The LORD calls on his people to look at himself as the first and the last, the one who has made the future known.  Then he calls on the idol worshippers to look at the lie in their … Continue reading →

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history is his story

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Isaiah 41 The idols that the nations frantically build will be no match for the ruler God is sending to take his vengeance upon them.  God is the first to tell them of this coming ruler (Cyrus), and he will … Continue reading →

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the sovereign over situations

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 97 The nations know all about their gods. There is no mystery that cannot be explained by the specialist, for a price.  But the God of Israel is shrouded in darkness and mystery.  The nations can manipulate their gods … Continue reading →

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honey from the rock

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 81 One does not normally get honey from a rock.  That is why this image speaks of the extent to which the LORD will go to take care of those he loves.  All he asks of us is single-hearted … Continue reading →

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LORD, intervene

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 58 The psalmist is not content leaving the people in the hands of the gods who seem to be ruling on earth.  He asks God to step in and bring righteousness and justice.  The gods are letting the wicked … Continue reading →

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bright shiny spoils

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

2 Chronicles 25 The unnamed prophet asked Amaziah an obvious question: “Why have you sought the gods of the people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” (15)   Amaziah went from halfhearted devotion to God to absolute … Continue reading →

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with no one’s regret

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

2 Chronicles 21 The tragedy of a compromised life is accented here by the description of Jehoram’s eight year reign. His attempt to mix the religious practices of Judah with those of the surrounding nations led to warfare, a plague … Continue reading →

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courage without compromise

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

2 Chronicles 15 It takes courage to do what is right consistently.  In Asa’s day – as in our own – it seems so easy to let certain wrongs committed by influential people to slide.  Asa and his kingdom saw … Continue reading →

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trial by implication

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Job 31 Job’s therapists had not brought formal charges against him, but he fully understood their implications.  In his final appeal, Job answers those implied charges:   marital unfaithfulness – not guilty (1-4) theft of conspiracy to steal – not … Continue reading →

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cleaning up

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

2 Kings 23:1-30 Of all the reforms of the kings, none was more comprehensive than that of Josiah.  Reading through the list, one gets an idea how syncretistic Judah had become.  Every aspect of their society had been permeated by … Continue reading →

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