Category

JOB 31-JOB RESTS HIS CASE. JOB 38-GOD ANSWERS! Bible Background: Job makes his final plea for justice in chapters 29–31 and then ‘rests his case’. In 32–37, a new person, Elihu, speaks. His speech may be a later addition to the book to ‘soften’... Read More →

Genesis 1=The First Story of Creation Bible Background: The 1st story of the Bible is fittingly, the 1st creation story! Genesis 2 offers another account, which is quite different! That tells us the writers/editors of Genesis weren’t trying to solve all the mysteries of... Read More →

1 Corinthians 12 = The Body of Christ Bible Background: Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth have lovely words and harsh words. The Christians there were gifted and challenged at the same time: divided when they could have been united; cocky when they could have been... Read More →

MARK 6 REJECTION + SENDING + DEATH OF JOHN Bible Background: In Mark, Jesus’ popular appeal hits a roadblock. People in his home town can’t believe he’s a prophet. They can’t grasp the change and challenge and opportunity Jesus brings. Mark (who is usually... Read More →

Luke 1 = Zechariah and Baby John! Bible Background: Luke’s gospel carefully sets the stage for Jesus’ birth. John the Baptist’s birth is foretold, and then Elizabeth conceives. Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, and then she conceives. John is born and his... Read More →

1 Kings 12 = The Kingdom Divided Bible Background: After King Solomon dies, his son Rehoboam takes charge. He acts badly, ruling with an iron fist. God had said he would “tear the kingdom” from Solomon’s son, and now the kingdom is torn in two. Israel (Northern... Read More →

KING DAVID – 2 SAMUEL 5–6 Bible Background: David is a central figure in the story of Israel. If Moses was somewhat the ‘founder’ of the nation, David was seen as its ‘savior’. David (great-grandson of Ruth & Boaz) was a shepherd boy, who... Read More →

THE BOOK OF RUTH Bible Background: Ruth seems to be the story of an ‘outsider’, who, amid all the ups and downs of life, becomes an ‘insider’, whose famous great-grandson grows up to be King David (and ultimately has a place in the family... Read More →

DIGGING DEEPER INTO THE STORY OF ISAAC’S BIRTH Bible Background: God has promised to Abraham and Sarah that they will be ancestors of a great nation; and that through them-all the families of the earth will be blessed. There’s just this one little problem: no... Read More →

GENESIS 2, Creation version 2.0 Bible Background: Genesis 1 and 2 offer different and complementary stories of how God created the heavens and the earth and humankind. Chapter 1 lifts up the goodness and good order of God’s creation. Chapter 2 gives a much more personal... Read More →