Various Articles
The historic fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is well verified, but it means little unless it is personally experienced. A dynamic personal encounter with the risen Christ is key. But this personal encounter must be grounded in training. Until we “go to school” with Jesus, and are thoroughly taught truth by Him, we are not ready to serve Him.
Each person is responsible for their own actions. Parents are not held responsible by God for the sins of their children, and children are not held responsible by God for the sins of their parents. Each person is responsible for their own behavior. In the same way, you don’t get credit for your parents good behavior if you do bad. Each person is responsible for their own sin and will be judged accordingly.
Now in 8th grade, I was listening to the Math teacher, taking notes and totally absorbed in “math”. The teacher was talking about historical representations of Pi. Then I almost fell out of my seat when he said that the Bible said Pi was 3. I mean no one talks about the Bible in school, let alone Math.
The fact that God must punish Israel for her spiritual adultery is not surprising. Israel is only getting what they deserve. What is surprising is that God is going to restore Israel. Not because Israel deserves it now any more than it deserved it when God first cleaned her up and made her His bride. God is doing it because God is faithful to His Covenant promises.
Ezekiel’s description sounds like something in a science fiction movie- 1:27-28 says: “ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him
In Second Kings 9:22 Joram asks Jehu if he has come in peace. Jehu responds, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Jehu is clearly communicating that peace does not come between God and evil. Our application should be a bit cautious, but clear.
Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life. In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him. Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself. This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3).
Therefore, I’d love to consider this miracle of the poisonous stew for a moment and consider a couple things we can learn from it. One that may go without saying is the public service announcement to not eat unfamiliar items we scavenge from outside. There are many healthy food products in nature, but there are some that are inedible or even poisonous. Unless we are certain of their edibility, we should stay away from mushrooms, berries, seeds, and plants.
Jehosheba is a hero of the Bible who saves a toddler from the evil schemes of a power-hungry authority. Consider how Moses was saved under Pharaoh’s reign, or Jesus during the time of King Herod. Even with this heroic act, we know little about Jehosheba. She was the daughter of King Jehoram and married the priest Jehoiada. These are two historical figures most people know little about. Her husband led a rebellion to instill the rightful heir of David to the throne in Jerusalem. Her father was so evil the Bible says that when he died it was to no one’s regret (2 Chron. 21:20).
