Moses Confronts Pharaoh After a myriad of excuses that Moses makes, he finally relents after God tells him not to worry and that he will be God to Pharaoh. And, thus, when Moses is doing what God has given him to do, Pharaoh is to see God behind Moses, not Moses the man. Through a […]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 11: Dealing and Double Dealing
August 7, 2013 by
After playing two sides against each other, Jonathan finally supported Alexander, the man who also had a claim to the Seleucid throne. Jonathan’s gamble paid off. As long as Alexander remains king, Judea should be Jonathan’s domain where they can not only have religious freedom to worship Yahweh but also a significant amount of political […]
Luke 16:1-13: Living Like a Dead Man
July 28, 2013 by
Jesus tells us a parable about an unfit, dishonest money manager. And when the manager’s boss gets wind of what’s happening, the thievery and incompetence, he tells the manager to give a no-kidding account of his financial dealings. Now the manager’s in a bind. Earlier, he didn’t care that he was stealing from his boss and his boss’s customers. […]
Exodus, Lesson 4: Moses Becomes the Face of God to Pharaoh
July 27, 2013 by
God Speaks Again to Moses (Exodus 6:1-10) At the end of the last lesson, Moses became downcast. Pharaoh had rejected God’s words (through Moses) to let the Israelites go and Moses began to think that it was all for naught. It’s at this point where we pick up God’s response to Moses. Read Exodus 6:1-8 […]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 10: Judea Wedged between Two Empires
July 24, 2013 by
After the Seleucid-appointed High Priest, Alcimus, died of a stroke, General Bacchides left Judea, for his mission was to ensure Alcimus remained as the High Priest. With Alcimus dead, his mission was no more. But Bacchides was drawn back into Judean politics. Those who were pro-Hellenistic approached him with an easy way to assassinate Jonathan […]
Matthew 7:15-23: Not “I” or “We” but only Jesus
July 21, 2013 by
How scary! Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” But what does that mean? What does it mean to do the will of God the Father? Is that salvation by works by another […]
Exodus, Lesson 3: Moses Goes to Meet the Pharaoh
July 20, 2013 by
Moses Returns to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-31) Last week, we learned that Moses made excuse after excuse to God about why he wasn’t fit to go to Egypt and be God’s instrument so the Israelites could worship Him. After God reassured Moses, and even became angry, God answered all of Moses objections. We now see what Moses […]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 9: A Transition of Power and Continued Turmoil
July 17, 2013 by
When we finished last, Rome and Judea had finalized a mutual-defense treaty. Even more, Rome sent word to the Seleucid Empire: “If [Judea] appeals again for help against you, we will defend their rights and fight you on sea and land.” So, what will the Seleucids now do? Read 1 Maccabees 9:1-10 – Despite […]
Romans 6:23: Death and Life
July 14, 2013 by
“The payment for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Such marvelous words, which leap from the page, abounding with God’s grace! Such full-strength Gospel that pierces our ears and hearts with God’s life-giving grace! Eternal life is a gift of God. He gives it away […]
Exodus: Lesson 2: Moses Encounters God
July 13, 2013 by
Moses’ Youth (Exodus 2:1-25) Read Exodus 2:11-15 According to Acts 7:23, Moses was not a man of about 40. – What did Moses do after he saw an Egyptian abusing a Hebrew man? – When Moses later tries to break up a fight, what does one of the men say to Moses? – […]
