OT Studies
-
In Genesis 28 Jacob dreams of a stairway linking heaven and earth—a vision that reveals a profound biblical principle: true religion does not arise from humanity’s attempt to ascend to God but from God’s gracious decision to descend and reveal himself. In this lecture commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I explore how Jacob’s…
-
What do we say when a Christian mother backs the car over the top of her little toddler and crushes him to death? When a young Christian man discovers he has brain cancer and must soon leave his three young children without a father? When a hurricane destroys the homes and disrupts the lives not…
-
In the first half of the twentieth century, several ancient Near Eastern law codes were discovered and deciphered. Many of the laws contained in these codes bear a striking resemblance to some of the Mosaic laws of the Old Testament. This fact has forced Old Testament critics to revise their late date for the Pentateuch…
-
Like as a father pitieth his children,so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.—Psalm 103:13. In the former part of this psalm the Psalmist sang of God’s deeds of love, his gifts, his benefits, and his acts of kindness; but here he goes deeper into the divine motive, and hence he finds sweeter incentives to devout…
-
The so-called “long day” recorded in Joshua 10:12-14 has generated much discussion among Bible scholars. Before Copernicus’ heliocentric solar system gained acceptance, it was argued that the sun’s and moon’s orbits were halted. Martin Luther, for example, reportedly denounced Copernicus and declared, “I believe the Holy Scriptures, for Joshua commanded the sun to stand still,…
-
We’ve looked at the law and gospel in terms of “the big picture” and determined that they are interrelated and inseparable concepts (see Part 1). But is it ever appropriate to distinguish law from gospel? In other words, do the biblical writers ever contrast law with gospel? The answer is “Yes.” In fact, such a contrast is…
-
The biblical teaching on “the law” and “the gospel” is massive. And contrary to what some may think, these concepts are complex. They can’t be reduced to a plaque on the wall with the Ten Commandments or a paper tract with Four Easy Steps on how to become a Christian. Instead, law and gospel each have…
-
Psalm 23, beloved in Christian tradition, uses the metaphor of a shepherd to illustrate God’s provision and protection. Scholars debate whether it shifts to the imagery of a host, emphasizing divine kingship. This reading enhances understanding of God’s care, foreshadowing Christ’s role as the ultimate Shepherd-King for believers.
-
John Mark McMillan’s song “How He Loves” compares God’s love to a hurricane, raising questions about this metaphor’s appropriateness. While some may see hurricanes as destructive, the article argues that they can symbolize God’s sovereignty and providence. Even in suffering, believers can recognize divine love and mercy in adversity, as illustrated through Job’s experiences.
-
The post examines Eve’s initial response to the Serpent in Genesis, arguing against the common interpretation that her response indicates the start of sin. It suggests that Eve’s omissions may reflect an attempt to summarize rather than distort God’s words, highlighting her faithfulness to the divine prohibition despite later succumbing to temptation.