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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), is one of the lectionary readings for tomorrow, Pentecost Sunday. It’s a very carefully constructed story. Care in construction is seen in the words used in the nine verses, and in the placement of the story in the book of Genesis. The story is placed after …
Babel, the first construction project in the Bible Read More »
This morning, I read that since March, in Kuala Terengganu and Besut, 15 traders have been fined a total of RM9,000 for over-pricing chickens. They had violated the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act, 2011. I read that after I read Psalm 97, included in the lectionary readings for tomorrow. Justice and righteousness feature in that …
Tomorrow’s lectionary reading includes the story of Lydia, the rich trader in purple dye, in the book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Why does the story appear where it does, and why does Luke tell it the way he does? First, a little recap of the passage, Luke 16:9-15. Paul, frustrated “by the …
Last month, our King, the DYMM Yang diPertuan Agung, invited former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to a buka puasa (breaking of the fast) dinner at Istana Negara, the national palace. Najib is a convicted criminal. He hired one of the best criminal lawyers in Malaysia to mount his defence in the courts. Despite that, …
