PHall | September 29, 2018
Then God Rested (requested follow-up to “Then God Said”): “Then God rested” (Genesis 2:3). God needs resting? As a young one I was confused. As a not so young one I was confused. Then I learned to see this not from my perspective, but of those to whom it was written. In Ancient Near East […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 1-2 – Then God Rested
Tags:
PHall | September 29, 2018
Two realities make it difficult to see a text with fresh eyes: 1) Familiarity with the Details; 2) Explanation of the Familiar Details. Such is our challenge with any inspired narrative, such as Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. To do this we must separate the revealed NT information from the Genesis record. Who was the […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 2-3 – Why Did the Serpent Speak?
Tags:
PHall | September 15, 2018
God keeps telling the same stories, using various methods and different characters. What started this study was someone’s observation stating the curses in Genesis 3 were unrelated to Adam and Eve’s sins. When someone says something unexpected, it can lead to further unexpected discoveries. Although the major characters are the same, plus one new one, […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 1-3 – Mirror Images
Tags:
PHall | September 15, 2018
There is not a total one to one correlation, but the similarities are there between the baptism of Jesus and creation. 1. The Spirit hovered over the water (Gen1:2). Hovering is a word associated with birds. In the baptism of Jesus the Holy Spirit descended as a dove (Mt.3:16). 2. “Then God said” (Gen.1:3ff). In […]
Category: Matthew, Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 1; Matthew 3 – Old Beginning; New Beginning
Tags:
PHall | September 15, 2018
Heard a song’s hook that made me think, “Ouch!” The title suggested a love song. Hearing it shocked me because it wasn’t, which was surprisingly unexpected. There is a book called, “I Married the Wrong Person”. Definitely not the kind you leave laying around the house! Or, else you might not have that problem any […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 29 – Marrying the Wrong Person
Tags:
PHall | September 15, 2018
Why are there hurricanes and other natural disasters? From a scientific point of view, you’ll have to ask someone else. From a spiritual perspective, the bible teaches we live in a cursed world (Gen.3; Rom.8). Mankind, both male and female, were given rule over the earth (Gen.1). Instead of taking care of the garden, they […]
Category: Romans, II Peter, Genesis |
Comments Off on Romans 8 – Why Are There Hurricanes?
Tags:
PHall | September 15, 2018
Jeremiah’ s temple sermon (Jeremiah 7) is still challenging for us today. Here’s 5 lessons from Jeremiah’s lesson: 1. “Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place” (7:3). God is a God of grace. Sermons should emphasize that. Just think of Jesus. 2. “Do not trust deceitful […]
Category: Jeremiah |
Comments Off on Jeremiah 7 – 5 Lessons From Jeremiah’s Temple Lesson
Tags:
PHall | September 3, 2018
Yahweh is a universal God (v.1) because He created the universe: the earth, its inhabitants, and the heavens. Notice this beautiful imagery – “You have covered the heavens with Your majesty” (v.1). Reminds me of Romans 1:20 – “For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since […]
Category: Psalms |
Comments Off on Psalm 8 – Praying through the Bible – #172 – A Prayer of Praise About Mankind
Tags: Praying through the Bible
PHall | September 3, 2018
An ex-convict, hoping to keep the “ex“ current, became a Christian. The problem was the judge was still deliberating his case and punishment. Part of the crime consisted of illegal drug use. He approached me to write a letter to the judge on his behalf. I did. To this day I don’t know if the […]
Category: Psalms |
Comments Off on Psalm 7 – Praying through the Bible #171 – A Prayer of Innocence Against the Guilty
Tags: Praying through the Bible
PHall | September 1, 2018
Many know the mistake of Job’s friends. Their theological position was God intervened as a moral arbiter in everyday life. This meant only the wicked suffered (this is actually the general truth presented in Proverbs). Since Job suffered, he must have been unrighteous. Since he wasn’t unjust (at the beginning), his friends therefore unjustly accused […]
Category: Romans, Job |
Comments Off on Job – Two Mistakes
Tags: