Readings: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Ecclesiastes is medicine for the wounded and their helpers and especially those with visions of empire. Grand designs! High hopes! Victorious visions! We set out to overturn oppressors, rescue castaways, sort out all the systems, win the world! Ecclesiastes speaks back. “Vanity of vanities,” its writer declares. “All isContinue reading “Those who see the sun”
Category Archives: Revelation
A Stone’s Throw Away
The Bible’s rocks and stones have come up in my previous studies here and there, but there’s still more mystery on which to meditate. A while back, I considered the interplay between iron and rock. Ironwork was considered the work and weapon of the enemies of God (Ex. 20:25, Jdgs 1:19, 1 Kgs 6:7, 2 SamContinue reading “A Stone’s Throw Away”
Elisha’s She-Bears: The Power of Mothers and Judgement in the House of God
Can you lead forth a contellation in its season,And guide the Bear with her sons? Job 38:32 As someone keenly interested in the role of the natural world in redemptive history, I am transfixed by the Bible’s few references to bears. With the bear, we meet the fury of wicked rulers, God’s jealousy for theContinue reading “Elisha’s She-Bears: The Power of Mothers and Judgement in the House of God”
The Word of the Lord came
In Genesis 1, the Triune God speaks the world into existence as His Spirit hovers over the surface of the waters. King David brings the Creation account into sharper focus, declaring, “by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host” (Ps. 33:6). I’ve written already about the breathContinue reading “The Word of the Lord came”
Esther found favour
When we meet Esther, who comes to mind but Rachel, mother of Israel, likewise “beautiful of form and face” (Gen. 29:17)! This is no mere coincidence, not just a common manner of talking at that time. Through Rachel and Esther, the Divine Author is pulling on the female narratival line that carries us from theContinue reading “Esther found favour”
Even the women and children rejoiced
In Ezekiel 8, the Spirit lifts Ezekiel up between earth and heaven and brings him in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy is located. There, Ezekiel witnesses women sitting and weeping for Tammuz, an ancient Mesopotamian god believed to beContinue reading “Even the women and children rejoiced”
Because They Understood
When the people of God had rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, the seventh month came, and all of Israel were in their cities (Neh. 7:73). Then the people gathered as one man (Rom. 5:19), and Ezra the priest read out the law and explained it them. All the people answered “Amen! Amen!” lifting up theirContinue reading “Because They Understood”
The Song of the Lamb
When Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was outnumbered on the battlefield, he prayed to the Lord for help, and the Lord answered him through Jahaziel, son of Zechariah (2 Chron. 20). You need not fight in this battle; Station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; TomorrowContinue reading “The Song of the Lamb”
Five or Six Times: The Death of Elisha
I have that feeling again, of being on the edge of something immensely profound. It’s hard to describe, like a lamp lit in the corner of my mind. Each encounter like this blows me back in my seat. I have to sit a minute and catch my mental breath. In 2 Kings 13, God recountsContinue reading “Five or Six Times: The Death of Elisha”
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”
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