Category

Matthew 2 = Threats and Safe Refuge Bible Background: Matthew alone tells of the visit of the Wise Men and the threat posed by King Herod to the baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with their son, until King Herod is no more. But other families are not so fortunate, as... Read More →

Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Bible background: Only Matthew and Luke report Jesus’ birth. The Gospels of Mark and John do not. Matthew approaches Jesus’ birth from the perspective of Joseph-Jesus’ adoptive father. We read of Joseph’s dilemma and... Read More →

Isaiah 7=Emmanuel, God With Us! Bible Background: This story mixes politics and religion! In 734 BCE, King Ahaz of Judah is being threatened by the King of Israel and one of his allies. King Ahaz reaches out for an alliance with superpower Assyria (who will eventually crush... Read More →

JONAH – NOT ON THE SAME PAGE WITH GOD! Bible Background: Jonah is a short story (You can read it in 5 minutes!) It’s got a ‘comic’ quality to it, as in “What a silly prophet!” “What a whopper of a tale!” The story was likely written... Read More →

1 Kings 17 = Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Bible Background: The prophet Elijah is introduced abruptly, in a time in Israel when King Ahab and Queen Jezebel have led the people away from worshipping only the LORD, and have encouraged worship of Baal (Canaanite deity, thought... Read More →

1 Samuel 17 = David and Goliath Bible Background: 1 & 2 Samuel are really 1 book! Size made it necessary to be in 2 parts. 1 Samuel is about the rise of the monarchy in Israel, with the first King, Saul; and then David. David is shown to be a brave, faithful, young hero! He... Read More →

Joshua 6 = Battle of Jericho Bible Background: The Book of Joshua emphasizes: a) Taking possession of the Promised Land, b) Joshua as Moses’ legitimate successor, and c) The importance of complete obedience to Yahweh. Some of us learned as little kids: “Joshua fought... Read More →

Exodus 20 = God Gives the Ten Commandments Bible Background: The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years. God brought them out of Egypt, and on their way to their own land, they need to learn how to live as God’s people. Think of the Commandments not mainly as a... Read More →

Exodus 14 = Crossing the Sea Bible Background: After an epic show of force between Yahweh and Pharaoh (the 10 plagues), Pharaoh finally does send the Israelites out of Egypt, only to change his mind and send his army to bring his slave laborers back. The crossing of the Red or... Read More →

Exodus 5:1–6:13 The Israelites Oppressed Bible Background: Exodus tells of the people of Israel: once settled and prosperous in Egypt, now seen by the new king as a threat, and so oppressing them is his answer. As slave labor they are treated badly; their newborn boys are... Read More →