Genesis 25-28 Psalm 8

I found a wonderful article on the Jewish Theological Seminary from 2013 about the Biblical theme of the younger brother ruling over the older. The author points out that this theme is one of perceived weakness being made strong through the favor of God. A more recent article on the subject substantively agrees but goes … Continue reading Genesis 25-28 Psalm 8 →

Genesis 22-24 Psalm 7

Well, we actually have three chapters in a row of faithfulness. No one has messed up, altering the course of history through their impatience or fear. I can’t imagine Abraham’s full reaction to God’s request. Sacrifice Isaac? The son you made me wait for all those years? Sarah’s laughter and joy? Seriously? Was he angry? … Continue reading Genesis 22-24 Psalm 7 →

Genesis 19-21 Psalm 6

So...angels of the Lord come to your home. You know who they are. They tell you that your city is going to be destroyed, and you believe them. You even go tell your sons-in-law that everyone needs to leave. But...somehow, when it’s time to go, you just...linger. You drag your feet. You find things to … Continue reading Genesis 19-21 Psalm 6 →

Genesis 16-18 Psalm 5

I have a problem with Sarai and Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac. Walk through it with me. 1. Sarai has an Egyptian servant named Hagar. One article I read yesterday suggested they would not have had Hagar had Sarai not lived with Pharaoh, earning Abram favor, when Abram lied about being her brother instead of husband. … Continue reading Genesis 16-18 Psalm 5 →

Genesis 12-15 Psalm 4

Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” … Continue reading Genesis 12-15 Psalm 4 →

Genesis 8-11 & Psalm 3

Can we just...can we take a minute with this: “I will never again curse the ground because of man.” After the flood, Noah made a burnt offering to God, and God accepts it, pleased, and, basically, just takes a deep breath, sighs, and says, “Yeah, so that’s the last time I do that. Twice now … Continue reading Genesis 8-11 & Psalm 3 →

Genesis 4-6 & Psalm 2

Honestly, this could be an entry for the Bible vs Sunday School. The problem of Cain. The only lessons I was ever taught from this story were about how evil Cain really was. The first murderer. He killed his own brother. He was the example for how depraved fallen nature really is, and he was … Continue reading Genesis 4-6 & Psalm 2 →

Through the Bible

So, I have probably read the entire Bible a couple of times, but let’s be honest, it’s difficult. Not only do you have Leviticus and Deuteronomy repeating a lot of the same information, but Chronicles is no picnic, some the minor prophets (because they’re short, not insignificant) are...odd, and Ezekiel and Revelation are a whole … Continue reading Through the Bible →