Posts with the category “the-gospel-story”

The genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 reveals that Jesus, the Messiah, comes from a lineage marked by both brokenness and redemption. It includes individuals with messy lives, non-Jews (Gentiles), and signi...  Read More

Ezra-Nehemiah is historically understood as being written by one person and constitutes a cohesive narrative. The eventual outcomes of this narrative portray this idea: these narratives are what it lo...  Read More

The narrative of Esther illustrates the themes of providence, comfort, and hope. God's sovereignty is evident as events fall into place to save His people from destruction. Esther and Mordecai's brave...  Read More

The fall of Jerusalem and the exile of the Israelites in Babylon serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and complacency. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God challenges false hope ...  Read More

The story of Daniel in exile shows how God's people can remain faithful while living in a foreign land. Despite being in exile, they participated in the culture around them but remained loyal to God w...  Read More

The passage from Isaiah 52:13–53:12 highlights God's plan to redeem Israel and the world through a "Suffering Servant" identified with Jesus Christ. This Servant, a different kind of King, takes on su...  Read More

Jonah is angry at God's compassion and balks at His mercy because he believes the sinful city of Nineveh doesn't deserve it. God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh to show the depth of His compassion. The s...  Read More

Jonah is angry at God's compassion and balks at His mercy because he believes the sinful city of Nineveh doesn't deserve it. God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh to show the depth of His compassion. The s...  Read More

Elijah flees from the Israelites, feeling like a failed prophet. God provides rest, food, and water through an angel. Elijah journeys to Mount Sinai, where God asks, "What are you doing here?" not foc...  Read More

1 Kings 11:1-8; Ecclesiastes 2:11 Solomon has been regarded as one of the most intelligent and wise men to live in that period in history. The nation of Israel was at its highest point it would ever b...  Read More

In 1 Kings 8, Solomon completes the construction of the Temple, a place for God's dwelling. He prays for God's presence to be with the people and asks for forgiveness when they sin. However, as histor...  Read More

Psalm 23 is a well-known song-prayer that depicts God as a caring shepherd. It reassures believers of God's provision, guidance, comfort, and strength, offering solace in times of difficulty. This psa...  Read More

1 Samuel 16:1-17:58 narrates the transition from Saul to David as the chosen king of Israel. Despite Saul's impressive appearance, God selects David, the youngest brother and a shepherd, to be the fut...  Read More

Judges 2:11-3:6 reveals the Israelites' failure to remain faithful to God after conquering the promised land. Their continuous disobedience despite God's faithfulness results in a cycle of oppression ...  Read More

Joshua 3:1-17 illustrates that God always fulfills His promises, albeit often on a different timeline than expected. Trust and faith in God are essential for participating in His promises. Israel's cr...  Read More

Numbers 14:1-38 recounts the Israelites' arrival at the Promised Land and their sending of spies. Most spies reported insurmountable challenges, leading the people to grumble and wish to return to Egy...  Read More

Leviticus 19:1-8 emphasizes God's call for His people to be holy, set apart from other nations. The laws in Leviticus, though sometimes seemingly strange, served to create a healthy, distinct communit...  Read More

Exodus 40 describes the Tabernacle, signifying God's desire to dwell among His people. It emphasizes God's particularity in the way it's set up and accessed. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, God's presence h...  Read More

In Exodus 12:1-50, the plagues leading up to and including the Passover highlight the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, strikes at the heart of Egyptian...  Read More

In Exodus 1:1–2:10, the descendants of Jacob find deliverance in Egypt but are later subjected to oppression by a new Pharaoh who fears their growth. Pharaoh commands the Hebrew midwives to kill newbo...  Read More

In the book of Job, Job is introduced as a blameless and upright man, highly favored by God. However, he experiences a series of devastating calamities, including the loss of his possessions, family, ...  Read More

In Genesis 50:15-21, the story of Joseph's journey from betrayal by his brothers to becoming a powerful figure unfolds. Joseph's character evolves as he learns the importance of submission and humilit...  Read More

In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob, a key figure in God's chosen people's lineage, wrestles with a mysterious figure, later revealed to be God. Jacob had a history of deceit but sought reconciliation with his...  Read More

Genesis 12:1-9 and 15:1-20 introduce Abram, who emerges after the Tower of Babel incident. God, shifting strategy, chooses to create a people through Abram's lineage to bless all nations, signaling th...  Read More

Genesis 6:5-9:17 tells the story of God's response to humanity's increasing wickedness. Despite God's desire for a close relationship, human free will led to chaos. God granted their wish by causing a...  Read More

Genesis 2:15-3:24 recounts humanity's fall from grace, driven by desires for power and autonomy like God. The serpent, representing Satan, manipulates rather than forces Adam and Eve, sowing doubt abo...  Read More

Genesis 1:1-2:15 presents the well-known creation story, challenging us to view it differently. Instead of seeking scientific precision, we should see it as a narrative about God. The narrative portr...  Read More

In Luke 24:13-35, two disciples unknowingly walk and talk with the resurrected Jesus, illustrating dramatic irony. They lament His death, missing that Scripture pointed to His resurrection. This passa...  Read More