Category

Reflections on Matthew 6:7-21 Bible Background: This is at the center of Jesus “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew. Note that Jesus is not condemning almsgiving, prayer, or fasting. He wants his followers to do those things from the heart and not for ‘show’.... Read More →

MATTHEW 5:1-12 = BLESSED ARE… Bible Background: In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus’ standout teaching is summarized in the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). We need not assume that this was all one ‘sermon’! That would be a lot of content! Moses went up on... Read More →

JOHN THE BAPTIST + BAPTISM OF JESUS MATTHEW 3:1-17 Bible Background: John the Baptist appears and acts like one of the prophets. He attracts people and scares them away at the same time. Jesus and John are cousins. John issues a call to serious repentance. People respond! Maybe... 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 42 = God’s Servant Bible Background: The book of Isaiah is rich in poetry and promises, and was likely written by more than 1 author over 100 years. This “servant poem” comes from what most scholars refer to as “Second Isaiah” (because of the... Read More →

The Story of Esther-“For Such a Time As This!” Bible Background: A little Bible trivia: What’s one of two books of the Bible that never mentions God? One would be Esther! (The other would be Song of Songs!) Esther should be considered a short story, more than an... Read More →

THE PROPHET MICAH Bible Background: Micah is counted as one of the ‘minor’ prophets, because his writings are brief, and we know little about him. He prophesied in Judah around 740 BC, prior to the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Micah is concerned about the... Read More →

1 Kings 3 = King Solomon Bible Background: Solomon was the 2nd son of King David & Bathsheba (David had 9 other sons as well). When David dies, Solomon (not the oldest) is his choice to be king of the United Monarchy (when Israel and Judah were united). Solomon ruled 970-931... Read More →

Joshua 24=Farewell Address, Invitation, Challenge, Warning! Bible Background: The book of Joshua is the first book beyond the Torah (1st five books, whose authorship was traditionally attributed to Moses.) A new generation of Israelites have settled in the promised land. God has... Read More →

EXODUS 14 = CROSSING THE RED SEA Background: After the time of Joseph, the Israelites become slaves in Egypt. Life gets worse and worse for them. God hears the cries of the people and promises deliverance. God chooses Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. This pivotal event is... Read More →