On Sunday, we heard again the text of the story popularly known as “The Good Samaritan.” It’s a story with five characters. They’re not given names like Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu. They’re given designations. The designation of one of them, “Samaritan,” instantly signals to Jesus’ audience a person who’s popularly regarded as vile, evil, […]
Today’s Jericho roads, Samaritans, and religious folk Read More »
Did God approve prostitution as a punishment? Prophet Amos said something terrible to Amaziah, priest of Bethel, Israel. Claiming to speak for YHWH, Amos said Amaziah’s wife would become a prostitute. And that Amaziah’s children would die violent deaths. And that Amaziah would “die in an unclean land.” All that’s in in Amos 7:7-17, included
Did God approve prostitution as a punishment? Read More »
The question “Should we expose kids to the book of Hosea?” is ringing in my mind. There are two reasons for this. First, I recently helped prepare a ten-year-old to read the scriptures publicly for the first time. Second, I plan to preach from Hosea 1:2-10 on 24 July. At every Sunday service, three or
Should we expose kids to the book of Hosea? Read More »
The lectionary readings for this Sunday include 2 Kings 5:1-14, which the English Standard Version titles “Naaman healed of leprosy.” It’s another of the puzzling stories God has caused to be recorded for us. If you’ve read my previous column, you’ll know of another puzzling story: the “appointment” of Hazael as king of Syria by
Healing the enemy’s armed forces chief Read More »
People say that in the current generation, kids do not need to go to school for knowledge anymore, as the sum of almost all knowledge is now available to most people via the Internet. People also say that kids today have access to more information than their parents ever had at the same age. It
Parenting Perspectives 7: Know Your Whys Read More »
Previously, I pointed out that God commanded the prophet Elijah to anoint horrible Hazael king of Syria. And that Elijah didn’t do so. Remarkably, God didn’t punish Elijah for his disobedience. In fact, God gave Elijah a unique “reward.” How so? Because Elijah didn’t die like others. His departure was miraculous. As stated in 2
Did Elisha get a double portion? Read More »
“Why me? How could you let this happen, God?” (Doesn’t that sound familiar?) In the book of Ruth, there is this story of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi is a Jewess from Bethlehem, Judah. There was a famine in Israel. Naomi, her husband (Elimelech) and her two sons (Mahlon and Kilion) migrated to Moab to escape
Naomi/Mara – Blaming God Read More »
An ivory inscription dated to the early 800s BC. The word “Hazael” appears in it. Hazael, King of Syria, a usurper on the throne of Syria, was one of the worst enemies of Israel. Yet, the decision to make Hazael king of Syria was made by YHWH, the God of Israel. How so? By YHWH’s
A command of God which Elijah didn’t obey Read More »
Nature is where I space out and notice that every single breath and step that I take are not my own doing, but God’s grace. (Photo taken during one of my hikes) Emails, deadlines, proposal drafts, briefing pack, a calendar full of appointments and calls. The list simply goes on and on and on. Does
Not forgetting the last to-do of the day Read More »
What would’ve run through my mind if I were reading Romans 5:1-5 during the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1956? I ask this question for two reasons. First, Romans 5:1-5 is in our lectionary readings for tomorrow. Second, I’ve been reading about a church in Montgomery which was at the centre of the 381-day
Reading Romans 5:1-5 during the bus boycott Read More »
