Category

Ruth 2 = There is Hope! Bible Background: The 4 chapters of Ruth are like 4 ‘acts’ of a drama. In Act 2, Ruth goes to glean leftover grain from a field, which happens to belong to a rich man named Boaz, who happens to be related to Naomi’s late husband. The... Read More →

Ruth=At a Loss, Still Faithful Bible Background: The short story of Ruth & Naomi is about 2 women who suffer loss, experience despair, are vulnerable migrants, stick together, discover God’s blessing, and figure into the family tree of King David and Jesus! Many points... Read More →

The ‘Love’ Chapter = 1 John 4:7-21 Bible Background: Themes in 1st John echo themes in the Gospel of John, especially Jesus’ new commandment to “love one another as I have loved you,” and just how much “God loved the world!” The writer of... Read More →

1 JOHN 4:1-6 Antichrist? Bible Background: We’ve jumped over most of 1 John chapter 2, and all of chapter 3. The writer reinforces Jesus’ commandment to ‘love one another’ (2:7-10); writes some beautiful notes to “fathers, children, young... Read More →

1 John 1:5–2:2 God’s Integrity, and Ours! Bible Background: “The Elder” (which is how we identify this writer), now writes about what it means to have life in Christ: It means walking in the light of Christ (vs. the ways of darkness/evil); in fellowship... Read More →

1st John – The Love Letter Bible Background: We don’t know details about the origin of 1,2, or 3 John. The writer might be the person who wrote the Gospel of John; or is at least well-acquainted with that Gospel. Themes that match between this letter and the Gospel:... Read More →

Exodus 20:17=A Fence For the Heart Bible Background: Commandments #9 & #10 prohibit coveting. To covet is to want something badly, which is not rightfully ours. Part of the job of loving our neighbor has to do with respecting their relationships and property. In the... Read More →

4th-8th Commandments (Exodus 20:12f) Digging Deeper: These commandments have to do with ‘loving our neighbor’. They’re about how our well-being is tied to the well-being of our neighbors. In the Small Catechism Luther reminds us that the spirit of the... Read More →

Exodus 20:1-11 Commandments 1-3 Bible Background: The Commandments are recorded in Exodus 20, and Deuteronomy 5, with slight variations. Today we’re looking at the first three Commandments, that focus on our relationship with God. Digging Deeper: #1 “You shall have no... Read More →

GOD GIVES THE TEN COMMANDMENTS EXODUS 19–20 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 again. Think of the Ten Commandments not... Read More →