Being in self-isolation has got me thinking about faces. And as I like to do, I will begin a short series studying faces in the Bible with an enigmatic story, about Elisha and Hazael in 2 Kings 8:7-15. Why this one? Because this short story not only involves faces but takes us right back toContinue reading “Faces in the Bible: The Assassination of Ben-hadad”
Author Archives: Valerie Hobbs
Into the Hands of a Woman
She said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.Judges 4:9 I deliberately didn’t mention the verse above in yesterday’s post because itContinue reading “Into the Hands of a Woman”
Deborah, Wife of Flames
One of the crucial elements of a redemptive reading of a text is to answer the question: How is Christ embedded in this text? This means rather than tacking a call to the Gospel on the end, we consider how the text itself is revealing Jesus’s Person and Work, including His plan for union withContinue reading “Deborah, Wife of Flames”
Daughter, take courage.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Six times He spoke, separating light from darkness and water from land, calling into life all vegetation, plants and trees. He made the two great lights, the stars also, and placed them in the expanse of heaven. He formed all fish, the great sea monsters,Continue reading “Daughter, take courage.”
Colours of the Gospel
The Bible is a Book of Colours, all carrying meaning and purpose in the story of God’s Redemption of His People. As Israel journeys away from slavery in Egypt towards the promised land across the Jordan, God gives them instructions for His Tabernacle in the wilderness. The Israelites are to weave together blue, purple andContinue reading “Colours of the Gospel”
40
Today marks my 40th post about the Bible. This is a major milestone for me because when I started this blog, writing 40 posts was one of the goals I had in mind. There is nothing magical about the number 40. The Bible doesn’t require us to set aside 40 days of doing anything inContinue reading “40”
“Go up, you baldhead:” Elisha and the Bears
Recently, I wrote about a story about a boy who mocks God’s people and His promises. This took my mind to a similar story in 2 Kings 2, the story of Elisha, some young men, and some bears. This is a violent story, one that I need to handle with care. So to make senseContinue reading ““Go up, you baldhead:” Elisha and the Bears”
As a Bride Adorns Herself
The more I read the Old Testament closely, the more I love Paul. The more I’m like hey Paul, I see you and I get you. And that’s pretty amazing because ignorant and unstable people have at times made me want to hate Paul (2 Peter 3:15-18). I’ve had some real LOL moments with PaulContinue reading “As a Bride Adorns Herself”
Ishmael, a Wild Donkey of a Man
In Genesis 12, Abram betrays his wife Sarai and sows the seeds for the tragic story of Ishmael. Lacking faith in God’s protection, he tells Sarai to pretend she is his sister and sends her into Pharoah’s house as a concubine (v. 15). In exchange for trafficking his wife, Abram accepts Pharoah’s reward of “maleContinue reading “Ishmael, a Wild Donkey of a Man”
Hagar: God’s Perfect Promise, not His imperfect people
Few Bible stories test my commitment to reading the Bible as redemptive history like the story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 16 and 21. Or, more accurately, Abram’s rape of Hagar, which Sarai instigates. These are horrifying texts of terror. I read them, but I really don’t want to. Ugh I really don’t likeContinue reading “Hagar: God’s Perfect Promise, not His imperfect people”
lampofthelamb.com 