Esther 6-10

I love the story of Esther. It's very cinematic. It is, quite simply, a good story. The king is a bit of a cliche. His reactions are so extreme to everything. He either completely distances himself from any decision, simply ordering his advisors to do as they please, or he's quite dramatic. Haman gets truly … Continue reading Esther 6-10 →

Esther 1-5

A couple things stood out to me reading through the first half of Esther. The first is that Mordecai is not the comforting, faithful father figure I used to think he was. Yes, he took in Esther and raised her as his own daughter when her parents died. That speaks highly of his character. He … Continue reading Esther 1-5 →

Nehemiah 12-13

So that statement that Nehemiah made earlier in the book asking God to remember how he did such a good thing is starting to make more sense. He makes a similar statement again, and it doesn't read so much like boasting when it is once again surrounded by people making a mess of things and … Continue reading Nehemiah 12-13 →

Nehemiah 7-9

The joy of the Lord is my strength. I love this verse. A group of traumatized people have returned to their ruined city. They've just listened to someone read out the law of God, a law they have not been following. They are devastated. Probably really scared. More than a little worried. And Ezra tells … Continue reading Nehemiah 7-9 →

Ezekiel 40-44

Man. Okay, I know exile is pretty extreme. Siege and the horrible things that are done within the walls of a starving and frightened city are extreme. Judah faced pretty harsh judgment for their idolatry and profanity. But the personal nature of this judgment on the Levites is special. They are to tend the temple, … Continue reading Ezekiel 40-44 →

Ezekiel 31-33

I love human pride. Not really, but there's something poetic about it. "Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the lad; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.' Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your … Continue reading Ezekiel 31-33 →

Ezekiel 22-24

I've always been taught 22:30, "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none," meant that there wasn't a single righteous person left in Judah. Except, reading it this time, … Continue reading Ezekiel 22-24 →

Ezekiel 13-15

God is a very jealous god. He really does not tolerate idolatry. All of this destruction and suffering is the result of the people violating their covenant and worshipping other gods. But there are few things that will escalate God's jealousy to full wrath. He will not tolerate the corruption of justice, which the people … Continue reading Ezekiel 13-15 →

Sexuality Part 2: A look at the Scripture

I believe in the holiness of Scripture. I don't believe in progressive revelation. I don't believe that Scripture has changed. I actively endeavor to submit to the entirety of Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I don't believe he has changed his mind about sin. I also want to examine what the Bible … Continue reading Sexuality Part 2: A look at the Scripture →

Jeremiah 33-36

The Rechabites are a wonderful inclusion in the narrative. We have a faithful family. A family full of people who choice to follow the covenant they were taught. You always wonder, or I do, when reading these accounts of judgment. With the exception of Sodom and Gomorrah, when we're told there aren't even ten righteous … Continue reading Jeremiah 33-36 →