Bible Study
-
The Scriptures state that even before the creation of this world, God predestined the sacrifice of His only Son to save all people from eternal death. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 4:6). This passage reveals that God, driven by His pleasure and will, orchestrated these events. As…
-
Solomon’s reign as king over Israel, though started with bloodshed, experienced the longest peacetime in Israel. Nearly half of his reign of forty years was spent in constructing two separate buildings, one was the temple of the LORD and the other the king’s palace. Solomon wanted to accomplish all of his father’s desires. He had […]
-
Being a man close to the heart of God, David suddenly made a drastic decision and became afraid to reveal his true situation to the priest Ahimelek. He feared that if Ahimelek learned about the broken relationship between him and King Saul, the priest would refuse to help him. Fueled by this fear, David resorted to deception in front of Ahimelek. In Isaiah 28, God warns us that those who seek refuge in lies are essentially making a pact with death. Sadly, David had indeed made such a pact, resulting in the deaths of the entire families and inhabitants of…
-
Solomon had mixed pagan cultures into his worship, perhaps, in an attempt to follow the traditions of his many wives. In the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 17), Moses spoke about a day when Israel would have its own king. He had warned that the king of Israel should exhibit a stark difference in governance from the rulers of the surrounding kingdom. The king should not seek to make himself wealthy or accumulate wives as trophies. The king should also never return to Egypt, the land that held the Israelites captive for many years. These among others were key for Israel…
-
Psalms 32 and 51 are frequently used by believers as a framework for expressing their contrition and confessing their sins. Many individuals turn to these Psalms to engage in penitence. It is important to note that only those who have been cleansed by the purifying blood of Jesus can truly embrace this template, whereas those who have not experienced the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood are unable to avail themselves of this opportunity.
-
David was on his deathbed when Solomon became the king of Israel. However, before handing the reins over to Solomon, David had a few words of advice and caution that he wanted to pass on to his son. He asked Solomon to “observe what the LORD requires” and to walk in His ways keeping His […]
-
In the case of Peter, there existed a doubt regarding the sacrificial death of Jesus, which caused him to experience a fear of being implicated by the Roman government alongside Jesus. This doubt remained hidden within his subconscious, unbeknownst to him, and it was because of this disbelief that he declared his commitment to follow Jesus until death. Jesus, in His wisdom, brought to light Peter’s concealed sin by revealing the impending transgression he was about to commit. Jesus consistently warns us about our hidden sins, although we often fail to comprehend His message due to our inability to recognize…
-
Written probably during the days of Israel’s Babylonian exile, the Book of Kings would have served as a reminiscent account of their homeland for the people in captivity. While the author of the book is unknown, some believe that it might be the contemporary prophets of each king who recorded the events described in this book. There seems to be a disconnect from the previous book of Samuel, as there are huge chunks of unaccounted periods from David’s forty-year reign. While in the Book of Samuel, David was in his prime and adding valiant men to his collection of mighty…
-
When introducing Jesus to the world, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of His identity. Often, we tend to portray Jesus solely as a miracle worker or healer, inadvertently limiting His true purpose and significance. This narrow perception not only restricts His immense power and impact but also disappoints those who seek blessings or healing from Him, as they may not always receive them. It is essential to grasp the deeper essence of Jesus’ presence on Earth, rather than simply view Him as a bestower of miracles or an earthly conqueror. Jesus Himself posed the question to His…
-
In his final vision, John saw a new heaven and the earth emerge as the old ones had hidden themselves from the presence of God (Revelation 20:11). Along with the former heavens and the earth, the sea too had no purpose as evil can no longer be found after God’s Final Judgement. The sea is […]
-
This Psalm, attributed to the musician Asaph, emphasises the idea that engaging in the service of God enables personal growth and a deeper understanding of His holiness. This musician, who previously composed music for David’s verses, now conveys a message about God’s ways, illustrating that being solely a musician does not limit one’s capacity to […]
-
In his penultimate series of visions, John saw the heavens open up, and from it, there emerged a white horse carrying the Rider. While the name of this Rider is not known to anyone, He is described by His qualities, such as being faithful and true. The vision of the Rider on a white warhorse […]
-
Located on the banks of the River Euphrates, the great city of Babylon was a powerful and influential city in ancient Mesopotamia. During its prime, the city not only served as a capital for several empires but also as the focal point for all commerce and trade in that region. In the Bible, Babylon is […]
-
According to the law of God, the consequence of sin is death, which results in eternal damnation for all souls. However, out of His boundless love, God made a decision to fulfill His law in order to rescue us from this fate. It is important to note that God did not manipulate or nullify His […]
-
In only two prior instances was the wrath of God revealed to us by the biblical authors, albeit on a limited scale. The first occurrence took place during the days of Noah when God unleashed a catastrophic flood, and the second unfolded with the destruction of the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah through a deluge of sulfur. As John’s visions were getting closer to the final Day of the Lord, he witnessed the seven last plagues that would complete the cycle of God’s wrath for all creation.
-
The Sons of Korah passionately extolled the greatness of God in their awe-inspiring Psalm 48. In this Psalm, they implored the people to embrace a firm understanding of God’s boundless love and unwavering grace. Humanity often succumbs to the temptation of placing their trust in worldly treasures, forsaking the life-giving power of our heavenly Father. […]
-
Mount Zion, which the author of the Book of Hebrews terms as the city of the Living God, is the setting for John’s vision of the Lamb and His 144,000 followers. Zion was the Mount on which the Jebusites built their city. The desire for the strategic upper hand that this city on a hill […]
-
In the Old Testament, bringing first fruits to the Lord was a practice that symbolized gratitude, acknowledgement and trust in God’s provision. It was a way for individuals to offer the first and best of their harvest or income as an act of thanksgiving. By giving the first fruits, people recognized God’s sovereignty over all […]
-
It is often the aspiration of a father to elevate his children beyond his own standing. Even parents lacking formal education do not wish for their children to remain illiterate, so they make great efforts to enrol them in reputable schools to ensure their literacy. Similarly, educated individuals consistently strive to provide their children with […]
-
In his attempts to wage war against the offspring of the woman, the dragon stood at the shore of the sea and unleashed two beasts upon them. The first one emerged from the sea, while the second one arose from the earth. The Creator of the heavens, the earth, and the sea had seemingly granted temporary authority to the dragon to wage war on His people. The dragon took full advantage of his authority and tormented the children of God for a short period of time, forcing everyone to leave God and follow the trinity of evil which tried to…
-
The psalm at hand, attributed to the sons of Korah, offers a unique perspective within the collection of Psalms. While typically characterized by petitions and acknowledgements of God’s response to prayers, this particular psalm deviates in its focus. From the very beginning, it is dedicated to glorifying the Almighty, earning it the title of “A […]
-
John witnesses a great struggle between a woman and a red dragon, which, on paper, would be a mismatch by any standards. However, this struggle originates from the very first pages of the Bible when another encounter between a woman and a dragon resulted in the fall of mankind. Though once in alliance, the woman […]
-
In Scripture, Jesus encourages His followers to draw nearer to His Father. He graciously extends His Sonship to all, so that we may address the Almighty God as our Abba, our Father. God sent His Son to be our elder brother, sharing with us all that He knows about His Father and His glorious Kingdom. […]
-
When was the last time you used your yellow tape measure? Probably when you were planning to remodel a part of your house or build an annexe like a tool shed or garage. In his final vision before the sounding of the seventh trumpet, John was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. God is building His temple on the rock that is made up of His people, and is asking John to measure the length and breadth of this new establishment. John was asked…
-
In the contemporary era, edifices of structural significance such as Cathedrals are commonly recognized as sacred places where the presence of God prevails. During ancient times, the Temple held a paramount status amongst the Jewish community, representing the most sacred sanctuary where individuals would undergo purification rituals before entering its Holy place. Notably, Solomon’s Temple […]
-
In a spy movie, when the protagonist is given a new mission, they are told to memorize the instructions and destroy the note by eating it. When the angel gave John the little scroll, he was told to not only swallow its contents but prophecy it to the masses. Ezekiel had a similar experience when he was asked to eat the scroll given to him by God (Ezekiel 3:3). By eating the scroll, John accepted his mission and would prophesy about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.
-
When the Psalmist was overwhelmed after witnessing a king’s epic victory, it inspired him to write this song of Praise. Now, there could be a bunch of theories about who this king was, but one thing is for sure – this Psalm is all about the ultimate ruler, the King of kings. It kicks off […]
-
The destruction that followed after the first four trumpets were sounded, seems to be a partial reversal of the creation. The trees and grass are burned up and a fiery mountain is doused in a sea bringing together land and sea. The rivers of the earth that were to sustain and nurture life now harboured bitter death. And when a third of the earth lost its source of light, the very first day of creation is undone. In many ways, the events revealed to John are taking us back to the Garden and eventually will lead to God granting Adam…
-
When contemplating the character of God, we often associate it with blessings, abundance, and prosperity. Conversely, we tend to associate destitution and suffering with darkness, malevolent forces, or even the concept of evil. It is rare for anyone to link the Creator with destruction. Consequently, when faced with unexpected catastrophes, our pursuit of happiness is […]
-
After the six seals were opened by the Lamb, John saw another vision which perhaps was a precursor to the events that occurred at the opening of the seals. He saw four angels standing at the corners of the earth, preventing any of the four winds from harming the land. The four winds of the earth, coming from each direction, have been symbolic of God’s judgment (Jeremiah 49:36) and thus may be alluding to the wave of destruction that was about to be unleashed by the four horsemen. The four angels were holding back the four winds of destruction until…
-
Sin and the devil are often conflated, but they are separate concepts. In essence, sin refers to the act of succumbing to our wicked desires and transgressing against the will of God. On the other hand, the devil preys upon those who engage in sinful behaviour. Regrettably, people frequently attribute their own actions against God, […]
-
The King mentioned in this Psalm does not align with any historical Israelite monarchy. However, the references to gifts from Tyre establish a connection between Solomon and the Psalm, as Hiram, the King of Tyre, provided materials for Solomon’s temple. With this in mind, some scholars associate this Psalm with Solomon’s wedding to an Egyptian […]
-
John eagerly observed as the Lamb took the scroll from God’s hands, and proceeded to open the seals, one by one. With each seal that was opened, a series of extraordinary events would follow, bringing with it dire consequences upon the people of the earth. The lion symbolizes strength, majesty, and dominion – characteristics befitting the King of kings. On the other hand, the lamb denotes meekness, humility, and a position much lower within the natural order. Yet, it is through this apparent paradox that the true depth of Jesus’ redemptive mission is revealed. His conquest was not achieved by…
-
The statement, “The last will be the first”, appears to be incongruous with societal norms when viewed from the perspective of renowned scholars. In today’s fiercely competitive world, striving to be the foremost in all endeavours has become ingrained in the minds of many. To understand the meaning of last becoming first, it is essential […]
-
The slain Lamb approached the One seated on the throne and took the scroll from His right hand. Jesus is initially introduced by one of the elders as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. However, as John turned to look at Him, he instead saw a wounded Lamb. Is Jesus an all-conquering lion, or is He a slain lamb? The lion symbolizes strength, majesty, and dominion – characteristics befitting the King of kings. On the other hand, the lamb denotes meekness, humility, and a position much lower within the natural order. Yet, it is through this apparent paradox that…
-
The teachings of the Bible remind us of our inherent humanity and the imperfections we all possess. Scripture emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our shortcomings and receiving forgiveness through the grace of God. One notable parable involves a Pharisee and a tax collector, illustrating the humility and repentance necessary for spiritual growth. The apostle John […]
-
God’s love remains constant and eternal, unaffected by our shortcomings. However, it is crucial for us to pass on this everlasting love to future generations and ensure that they regard it as a valuable inheritance. In ancient times, the love of God was faithfully transmitted from one generation to another, serving as a source of […]
-
Filled with anticipation, as he eavesdropped on the captivating conversation between Jesus and the seven angels, John suddenly noticed a door standing wide open before him. At that moment, a voice, akin to the melodious sound of a trumpet, gently beckoned him, saying, come up and witness the marvellous events that are yet to unfold. John entered into a wondrous spiritual realm, where his eyes beheld a majestic throne, adorned by the presence of an indescribable being.
-
Mother Teresa’s impact on society was significant. As a religious icon and philanthropist, she dedicated her life to caring for the poor in Calcutta, India. Despite her kindness and compassion, she was not afraid to take a stand for what she believed was right. While philanthropists like Mother Teresa express God’s love to the millions of underprivileged individuals, many fail to grasp the love of God that has saved them in the first place. Instead, they view these philanthropists as role models for their own personal satisfaction and think that salvation can be attained through good deeds.
-
Psalm 43 is considered a continuation of Psalm 42 as it explores similar themes and uses a common chorus. However, unlike the preceding hymn, this Psalm does not have a note about the writer. It addresses the challenges faced by individuals who genuinely follow God but differ from the traditional religious practices of their peers. […]
-
The key to the house of David was entrusted to the steward, serving as a means to access and unlock every door and gate within the palace. It was most likely made of bronze and possessed a significant size, requiring it to be worn around the steward’s neck. The key symbolizes the authority of the steward to make authoritative decisions in the best interest of the king, signifying the steward’s elevated status. The palace of David held such immense significance that the Israelites would have regarded it with even greater reverence than heaven itself.
-
Psalm 42 represents the introductory Psalm of the second book of the Psalms, which was co-authored by the sons of Korah. Despite the rebellion of Korah and his fellow leaders against the authority of Moses and Aaron, resulting in their demise, the lineage of Korah did not perish, as stated in Numbers 26:11. The sons […]
-
To the church in Pergamum, Jesus introduces himself as the wielder of the double-edged sword, the one true word of God. He commends the church for staying true to the word of God even when believers were being put to death for their faith. Nonetheless, there were some among them who had adopted the practices of the pagan world around them.
-
Many individuals struggle with the concept of generational curses, feeling trapped by the perceived negative patterns passed down through their family lineage. It can be challenging for them to break free from this mindset and find a sense of empowerment to forge their own path in life. These beliefs may lead some to attribute every […]
-
The better part of the new testament is filled with epistles written by the apostles to the early churches. These letters provide instructions on various topics that the churches were grappling with. However, John documents Christ’s interactions with the angels, relaying the specific messages to the seven churches He had entrusted to them. It is […]
-
Solemnizing a wedding ceremony at a church or at a place of worship according to one’s respective faith does not turn our decision into God’s decision. Most people take the momentary happiness and peace they have when arriving at their own decision as divine peace. Later, they are unable to trace back the chaos occurring in their marital life to their hasty decision and start to wonder how the decision that was made in heaven ended up in hell.
-
The book of Revelation is actually John’s letter to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor and derives its title from the first words of his epistle. The authorship is likely attributed to John, the disciple, although there is a prevailing consensus that it may have been penned by another prophet named John, taking into account the relatively late period in the century when it was written, around 95 AD. It is worth mentioning that several denominations do not include the Book of Revelations within their accepted biblical canon.
-
The aftermath of the civil war rendered the remaining men of Benjamin devoid of spouses, endangering the very survival of their tribe. Compounding this dire situation was the unwavering reluctance of other tribes to offer their daughters in marriage to the six hundred Benjamites, who had sought refuge in the desolate wilderness of Rimmon.
-
In the Old Testament, parents taught their children about God’s miracles, passing down knowledge through generations. This led to a belief that God would perform miracles in their own lives. The victories of their ancestors served as examples of overcoming enemies. Over time, descendants relied on signs and objects, such as the Ark of the […]
-
After receiving the dreadful parcel, the entire nation of Israel, spanning from the northernmost region of Dan to the southern border of Judah, gathered at Mizpah. However, the tribe of Benjamin refrained from participating in this assembly.
-
The whole Scripture reveals the incredible love of God to the world. After understanding the truth that God loves us, do we love Him? Even after becoming His children, we do not love God. Most of us may deny this, assuming that we love God. But when we do not hate sin, it indicates that we do not love God. Even after knowing this, God still loves us to the end. It is bewildering to know that God never ends His love, but it is we who reject it. Jesus leaves the ninety-nine and chases the one running away from…
-
In the Benajimite town of Gibeah, the Levite and his wife could not find any lodging as the people were not as hospitable as he had imagined. However, there was an old farm worker who took pity on them and offered his place for the couple to spend the night. The old man was also from the hill country of Ephraim and that was grounds enough for him to invite the Levite and his concubine to spend the night with him. Perhaps, the old man had the foresight about the evil present in the men of Gibeah and did not…
-
Jesus asked the woman standing alone, “Has no one condemned you?” Earlier, a mob had gathered against her to condemn her to death according to the law of Moses. Fortunately, they tried to implement the law through Jesus to make Him guilty of not following the law of Moses thinking that He would defame the […]
-
Religions and denominations have given the people a worship order that is moulded according to their convenience. When God brought the recent pandemic to remind people that they do not religion to connect with Him, the religious leaders doubled down on the need for organized worship. Again and again, we continue to defy God when we keep holding on to our idols be it the silver ones that Micah crafted or the leaders we are ready to follow instead of listening to God’s voice.
-
Samson was the last judge during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history but God had a plan for Israel even through these Judges. God wanted the Israelites to realise that no matter who ruled over them, He was in total control. He wanted to show that He is the only one they would need but the Israelites kept chasing after human leaders. The Israelites accepted the forefathers, Moses, the Judges, the kings, the prophets and even the Jewish temple leaders as their rulers but they never accepted God as their leader. The purpose of bringing the Israelites into this new…
-
Psalm 15 enumerates some probable deeds that keep us near God. This Psalm motivates us to fulfil our oath, even when it hurts or brings us loss, as an eligibility criterion to dwell with God. After taking an oath, if a person knows that fulfilling it will affect him, he should not change his mind. […]
-
After Samson had come of age, he sought to marry a young Philistine woman whom he had met in Timnah, a city twenty miles east of Jerusalem. Even after the objections of his father and mother, Samson was adamant in his pursuit of the young woman who he had fallen in love with. Samson was chosen to be the deliverer of his people even before his birth and was under a Nazarite vow that forbids unions with pagan worshippers. His parents were not keen on this alliance and tried their best to persuade Samson to marry one of the girls…
-
The twelfth judge of Israel came from the tribe of Dan, born in the town of Zorah. Back then, the Danites were settled in the southern part of the kingdom and shared their borders with Philistia. The continuous abandonment of everything that was moral, led the Israelites to be subjected to their old foe. The LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years before raising a deliverer from the most unexpected source. No Judge or deliverer of Israel had ever come from the modest tribe of Dan. But that was about to change as God himself…
-
When we confront the forces of this world with the power of God we must lean on His understanding and wisdom rather than making our own assumptions. Failure to do so will not only dilute the word of God but also make others think that it is on par with the manmade cultures of this world.
-
The first part of the book of Psalms ends with this Psalm. Here, the Psalmist was clear in His conscience to declare that his life pleased God. This Psalm teaches us that everyone around us might be traitors and encourages us to live according to the standards of God, despite the snares placed by the […]
-
God allowed the reign of Abimelek to continue for three years before it started self-imploding. God is working according to His own plans and has set a time for everything. There was time for Israel to repent and a time for them to endure the consequences of their actions. A time for us to come closer to God, a time for us to move away from his grace and protection. The people got what they wanted when Abimelek forcibly became the king but evil cannot be subsided without the fear of God. None of the people in this chapter display…
-
This Psalm helps us reminisce about the days we lived without God to appreciate life after salvation.
-
Gideon assumed that their cause would be lauded with the same exhilaration as it had been accepted in the regions west of Jordan. But the eastern tribes shared boundaries with the Midianites and the other eastern countries that were raiding Israel. They had more to lose if the Midianite reinforcements were able to defeat the short-lived Israelite uprising. There was already a shortage of food in the land and they did not want to lose their supply over an unworthy cause.
-
The LORD knew that Israelites would count the victory as theirs if they had the slightest confidence in their own numbers. He used a barebones version of Israel’s army to rout the mightiest of forces leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that He is the one in control. But people still found a way to redirect their gratitude towards a mortal vessel that God had used to deliver them.
-
We often question God for the heartaches and grief in our lives without fully understanding His will. God wants us to come to Him with these questions rather than festering them up in our minds and fading away from His presence. Gideon was right to ask God for a reason for his misfortunes but he was also ready to accept God’s solution. Many a time we crib to God about our plights but seldom do we act on His guidance to come out of our problems.
-
God’s ways of dealing are new every morning, and people cannot understand them. People need precedence in everything to trust and obey. God does explain to us before He accomplishes His will, yet He ignites our faith to do His will in our daily walk of life.
-
On the outskirts of Kedesh, Hebner the Kenite had pitched his tent as he was on good terms with the king of Hazor, Jabin. Jael was the wife of Barak, literally a nobody and not even part of any of the tribes of Israel, who brought down the army of Sisera and helped Israel overcome the mighty Canaanites.
-
When God made a covenant with Abraham, He told him that his descendants would be in captivity for four hundred years. Several centuries later, God told Moses to lead His people out of their bondage. The delivered people however did not know their destination and blamed Moses for leading them out of slavery. Whenever they feared death, they preferred to go back to their former life of slavery. When God parted the Red Sea, they ventured to walk between the walls of water to escape from the swords of Phoroh’s Army.
-
Observing life expectancy emerged in the 19th century for the first time when human death rates attributed to the rise in diseases started increasing exponentially with time. The life expectancy data attributed various causes to the climbing death rate numbers, and people worked out scientific solutions to enhance the life span of people. Moses had a thought about this when people died in the wilderness, and he prayed to God to give him the wisdom to number his days, approximately during 1500 BC. He did not explore the cause of their death but asked God for awareness to understand the…
-
It is strange to see a whole generation grow up not knowing anything about God. The Israelites loved their traditions and festivals and the festival of Passover would have been religiously followed each year. Families would get together over the Passover meal as the elders would recount the adventures of their ancestors in the desert and how the LORD would constantly bring them out of the brink of annihilation. However, for some strange reason, this new generation did not feel connected with their Maker. Not only did they abandon their own relationship with God but they were responsible for the…
-
It is strange to see a whole generation grow up not knowing anything about God. The Israelites loved their traditions and festivals and the festival of Passover would have been religiously followed each year. Families would get together over the Passover meal as the elders would recount the adventures of their ancestors in the desert and how the LORD would constantly bring them out of the brink of annihilation. However, for some strange reason, this new generation did not feel connected with their Maker. Not only did they abandon their own relationship with God but they were responsible for the…
-
The book exposes the downward Spiral of the Israelites and paints a picture to its readers of their lives without God. Whether we acknowledge it or not, our surroundings have a lasting effect on our belief system. Israel seamlessly blended in with its neighbours and at every opportunity chose to align itself with the pagan world than associate with the God of Heavens and the Earth. No sooner did they enter the promised land, the people forgot about everything that God had done for them and their ancestors during their journey through the wilderness.
-
The Gospel of Matthew recorded the teaching of Jesus driving His servants away from Him, saying I never knew you. God loved us so much and gave His Son to us so that no one should perish but live eternally. God predestined us to call us His children and never forsakes us. Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and Sisters. Then what makes Him say, “I never knew you”?
-
It is imperative that the church and its leaders make straight their paths else the entire fellowship will descend into a downward spiral. Within the confines of the church, we should ensure that the grace of God is not taken lightly. But when it comes to individual families, we should not intervene until and unless we get a clear sign from God. It is only through His leading that we can deliver His peace. Let us wait for God’s leading for our lives before we descend into self-appointed causes of spiritual justice.
-
While everyone wishes to enjoy the blessings of God, only a few are ready to experience His wrath too. Many believe that exposing the outcome of the wrath of God is a shame. Or knowing that God is not on our side, people will bounce on us from every angle. Especially our enemies will use this opportunity to destroy our image in our societies. Satan used Job’s wife on one such occasion to destroy the integrity of Job, but Job said You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble (Job 2:10)? During…
-
Today, organic food is very difficult to source and even if a brand promises purity of its ingredients there is high probability of adulteration in everything we consume. Even after knowing this fact, we do not give up eating altogether and are getting by with whatever is available in our local grocery store. But when it comes to our fellowship, we expect the purest variety and when we do not find it, we abandon it altogether. We feel we don’t need fellowship like we need food and thus our different standards. We make concessions for other things in our lives…
-
This Psalm deals with three phases of our lives. The first one is comparing our lives with others. By doing this, if we find ourselves above others then we feel proud else we feel sad. The second approach is comforting ourselves by assuming wicked people’s fall or the rewards awaiting us for doing good. The third phase is looking at God and rejoicing in His amazing grace.
-
The author claims that the sacrifices and guilt offerings never cleared the conscious of the worshiper and perhaps this sentiment was shared by the other Jewish converts that were part of the early church. Then why did an entire nation practice it for more than fifteen hundred years?
-
Every three years latest models come on the market, and the old ones become obsolete. The company stops updating the software to its older models. People still go for those outdated smartphones at a lower price because they buy them to show their status to others. Who knows that they purchased it after the new one was released? As far as the buyers of the latest smartphones, they need the updates of the software daily to cope with their job requirements, etc. Though their old smartphones have become obsolete, every aspect of the old one is available in the new…
-
Though milk is part of the diet of an adult, it is supplemented with other nutritional sustenance as well. We do not depend only on milk but take a wholesome diet according to our needs and desires. However, when it comes to our spiritual diet we are happy to gulp infantile edibles rather than mature meals. The people who came to Jesus were constantly dependent on miracles and healings as their source for affirming Jesus’s Messianic status and when Christ challenged them to exhibit their faith they all failed miserably.
-
The Torah or the laws were given to Israel at a time when they were a wandering nation, struggling to cope with their newfound freedom. These laws steered every action of the people of God by giving them guidelines on offerings and sacrifices and laws that helped them survive in the desert for forty years. These laws helped the people reach the promised land but they continued to abide by them even after the formation of their very own kingdom.
-
Today we are participating in His Holy Communion, not in haste but at ease to remember and rejoice in the freedom God gave us from the clutches of sin through His Son, Jesus Christ. People celebrate the Passover once a year, but Jesus asks us to remember His New Covenant as often as we can. Jesus asks us to remember our Father and thank Him for His incredible love. To believers in Christ, it is a daily meal rather than a Last Supper.
-
Some actors undergo rigorous training and make changes in their lifestyle to align it with the part they will be playing. This is commonly known as method acting, applied by actors who want to relate more to their character so that they can do justice to their portrayal of them. Does God have to go through our problems to understand them?
-
The book was known as the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews for more than a thousand years but now there seems to be a consensus that even though this book doesn’t negate any of Paul’s letters, it also does not match his writing style. What we know is that the author was a Jewish convert and well-versed in the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
-
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) Jesus uttered these words during his final hours on this earth. The disciples had gathered with him to celebrate the Jewish festival of […]
-
Seldom people are encouraged to help others constantly, but many discontinue doing good to others because of not getting a pleasant response. It can happen that the person whom we had helped might end up being our enemy today. Or the people who derived benefits from us to reach a higher level would have forgotten us.
-
Mighty warriors were in high demand in Israel’s formative years. Both David and his predecessor Saul prioritised the recruitment of not just able-bodied men in their army but valiant men whose gallant acts would have fueled the urban legends in Israel. The author closes out the book by paying homage to David’s Mighty Thirty and recounts their triumphs on the battlefield and their extraordinary accomplishments. However, David’s over-dependence on his valiant warriors becomes a stumbling block in his journey with God as his foolishness causes the death of multitudes in his country.
-
Despite the teachings through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the idea of connecting worldly blessings to spiritual blessings continues. James criticized the shepherds for giving importance to the wealthy group in the synagogues and the churches. Some affluent Corinthian Christians abused the Lord’s Supper by marginalizing poor Christians.
-
The book of Samuel is bookended by two completely different people and their respective songs of praise. While their lives served a distinct purpose in furthering the plan of God, their song of praise was similar in its content as the God of Hannah is the same as the God of David. King David had […]
-
Believing in what Jesus did for us on the cross, we became God’s legitimate children and heirs to inherit His Kingdom. The devil does not tolerate our freedom in Christ Jesus and always tries to bind us again with the cords of sin. After luring us to sin, he gives us a feeling of guilt […]
-
The Author Seems to believe that God was waiting for the blood of Saul’s descendants and for them to be buried before blessing the harvest of the Israelites. God’s grace is often mistaken for the cause of one’s blessing or more often the end of one’s suffering.
-
While Bible scholars consider Psalm 18 as the Psalm during the old age of the Psalmist, scholars attribute Psalm 36 to the young David. David was introduced as “the servant of God” in these Psalms. Because in both of these Psalms, David stopped listening to the provoking noises and started listening to the soothing voice […]
-
On the road from Jordan to Jerusalem, the tribes of Judah and Israel clashed over their respective claims over David as their king. The other tribes had taken offence when their king yet again sided with his own tribe. Among them was Sheba, son of Bikri, who was the most vocal in expressing his disdain […]
-
We thank God at the end of every year and celebrate it as a well-known and well-accepted festival. The scripture tells us to thank God in all things and all the time. Thanking God only during specific occasions throws light on our ignorance of His protection that is with us every nanosecond. When we thank […]
-
Now that Absalom had died, the growing consensus among the tribes of Israel was to bring back David to Jerusalem as their king. They recounted the great feats of David and the countless times he had rescued them in battle. They had a rosy memory of his time as king and remembered the days of […]
-
We understand the literal meaning of “Rest” as a break from our routine work. Everyone needs rest, and we look forward to the weekends. We think that the holidays would refresh our minds to work better as we need a break from time to time to rejuvenate ourselves. Practically speaking, we are not taking rest […]
-
After crossing the Jordan, David finds shelter in the town of Mahanaim. This is the same place where Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s remaining heir, found a safe haven from David after the death of his father and brothers on the battlefield. And now David was looking at the same town to provide him refuge against his own […]
-
This imprecatory Psalms of David motivates people to ask God to take revenge on their enemies. It persuades people to rejoice in the fall of their enemies more than they enjoy their salvation. While choosing an advocate, one should go by their experience because experience makes the advocate understand the client’s case and the opponent’s […]
-
On his road to his exile, David was met with many familiar faces. People he had helped had seen his sudden downfall as their opportunity to do something in return for their king. Ziba, the loyal servant of Saul also came out with supplies for the king and his men. He had a string of […]
-
Only a short time after his return from his exile in Geshur, Absalom had assembled a small army of men for himself. Chariots and men would run ahead of him as he travelled throughout the land. To the onlookers, Absalom seemed to have an impressive security detail provided to him by the king like the […]
-
This Parable was part of Nathan’s message that the Lord had sent for king David. Not only did he covet and forcefully took another man’s wife he even had Bathsheba’s husband killed off on the pretence of war (1 Samuel 11). Uriah was not just any other man, but part of David’s thirty, he was […]
-
After exacting his revenge on his elder brother Amnon, Absalom went into a self-imposed exile in the neighbouring kingdom of Geshur. Even after the heinous murder of his elder son, David still longed for Absalom, and Joab who was the closest confidant of the king knew about it. He concocted a story which was reminiscent […]
-
John the Baptist desired that God must increase, but he must decrease. How far do our desires comply with John the Baptist? Even if we want to reduce ourselves, the humiliation attached to it does not allow us to accept our decline. We thereby resist our willingness to decrease ourselves and fight against our decline. […]
-
As punishment for his sins of rape and murder, David had already lost a son but soon, the crimes he was guilty of would befall his children. Amnon was David’s eldest son, who was born to him through Ahinoam. He would have been next in line to succeed after his father as the king of […]
-
The title of this Psalm suggests that David wrote this Psalm after he pretended to be insane and escaped from the kingdom of Achish (Abimelek). Whenever we face critical situations, we lie instead of facing the truth. God expresses His displeasure about our lies in the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 28:15, 18&19) and speaks about […]
-
The Lord sent Nathan to deliver his rebuke to David as the latter had gone away from the fold of God. God does not send the prophet to David immediately after his grievous sin, but after some time had passed and the child had been born to Bathsheba. David would have least expected this visit […]
-
Many children of God still live in fear despite being delivered from the clutches of fear. To come out of this fear, we should be aware of the tricks of the evil one. Looking at the Old Testament, we see people living in terror all the time. Knowing how God has delivered us from those […]
-
During the Spring time, when the farmers of the land would neither sow nor harvest their crops, the kings would utilise this downtime and go off to wars to invade new territories. This was the war season for Israel and their neighbouring countries, as the conflict with the Ammonites was escalating rapidly. The Israelites had […]
-
During the period of this Psalm, there was hardly any written script to tell of the wondrous creation of God. Yet the Psalmist tries to capture the creative power of God by seeing all that has been created. The Psalmist unveils the creative hands of God in every visible object and attributes the power of […]
-
David’s kindness to the sons of his allies proves almost detrimental to his own ambitions. While the one who was lame, subdued himself to David for a seat at his table but the one who had an army of his own looked at David’s offer of peace with suspicion. The latter’s arrogance resulted in a […]
-
This chapter focuses on David’s victories over the neighbouring territories and subsequent extension of the borders of his kingdom. The author’s intent does not seem to be to record the military conquests of David and his army in chronological order but is to evidence the overarching theme of the entire book that God was with […]
-
A roadmap is a strategic plan that defines a goal or desired outcome and includes the necessary steps or milestones to reach it. It is a high-level document that helps articulate strategic thinking—the why—behind the goal and the plan for getting there. Among various roadmaps, the visionary roadmap visually represents the changes happening within us […]
-
Chronologically this chapter would have been best suited to read after the next chapter’s events which recounts David’s victory over the neighbouring countries. After David had secured his capital, brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem and built himself a luxurious palace with the choicest wood, he wanted to build a House for God to […]
-
We feel happy and proud when we understand that we are God’s chosen people. Feeling optimistic about this privilege leads to pride. Pride secludes us from the rest of the world, and we restrict the grace of God within a narrow circle of our fellow believers. The scripture tells us that pride goes before the […]
-
David had garnered the support of all the tribes of Israel, had Michal (his first wife and Saul’s daughter) back in his corner and had even seized the fortified hill city of Jerusalem. The next logical step for him was to retrieve the Ark of God from Kiriath Jearim and secure, both his political and […]
-
Confessing sin is the outcome of trust. If we confess our sins, it implies that we trust God. Trusting a person will give us the confidence to tell them everything. A genuine confession is the first step towards receiving forgiveness from God. Confession replaces our guilt with peace. But people hesitate to confess their sins […]
-
After the death of Abner and Ish-Bosheth, the elders of the tribes of Israel came to meet David at Hebron to ask him to be the ruler of their land. David was thirty-seven years old at this time and had been serving as the king of Judah for seven years by now. But now the […]
-
“Shalom” is a salutation by Jewish people at the time of the meeting or parting, that simply means “peace”. In response, people will say “Aleichem shalom”, meaning “to you, peace,” while the literal meaning of Shalom is tranquillity and the absence of agitation, spiritually it explains the divine peace that passes all understanding. As a […]
-
As the war between the respective camps of David and Saul waged on, the house of David grew stronger day by day. By this time, David had been married seven times and had an heir through each of his six wives who were currently with him (2 Samuel 3:2-5). On the other side, Saul had […]
-
It is unclear as to when David wrote this Psalm because of his amalgamated expressions. David was a fugitive most of his life and even amidst his trouble, he often found peace in the presence of God. Jesus said to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory […]
-
After defeating the Amalekites, David and his men returned to the city of Ziklag which was burned to the ground. Two days later, while they were plotting their next move and possible place of relocation, a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. It is obvious that this […]
-
Perhaps the fastest trial in the history of the Roman government, as the unprecedented nature of events left the Jewish rulers, the Roman government and the followers of Jesus in utter disbelief. Early in the morning, the entire body of the Sanhedrin gathered and made plans to kill Jesus. They bound Him up and took […]
-
In the final defence of his authority, Paul painfully shares a personal out-of-body experience. He speaks about himself in the third person, lest anyone would think he was boasting about his experiences in Christ. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in […]
-
Our church services begin with the Praise and Worship session wherein we enthusiastically praise God with meaningful songs and vibrant music. The worship team motivates others to worship actively. People also are inspired by the worship team and look for churches where worship is active and attractive. People believe that worshipping creates an atmosphere to […]
-
In the last section of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul changes his tone from the theme of the earlier part of the letter, as he seeks to confront the ‘Super Apostles’, who were tarnishing all the good work done by him in the province of Achaia. He withdraws his claim of not indulging in […]
-
None of us can say that we have received answers to all our prayers and solutions for all our problems. When our difficulties persist, sicknesses linger and people come against us, our faith shatters. We often think as the Psalmist, that I have kept my heart pure in vain and washed my hands in innocence […]
-
A passage that is quoted often before the time of giving in our Sunday services, Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church has been used as a template to inspire and encourage the practice of tithing. However, Paul’s emphasis seems to be on the transformation of the heart and understanding the commitment that the church had […]
-
People prefer to watch television for hours together and are reluctant to spend time on prayer. While watching the television, even the thoughts about the inevitable pending jobs do not disrupt us. At the same time, we allow our thoughts to disrupt our prayers. Thoughts like, did we close the windows of our car, switched […]
-
After writing the severe letter to the Corinthians that was full of rebuke, Paul was troubled, especially when his companion Titus was held up in the Achaia province. Upon successful reunion with his protege, Paul finally found peace as Titus recounted the kindness that was shown to him by the Corinthians. Hearing reports that the […]
-
As the Church in Corinth started growing in numbers, the people started to think that they were impervious to the sins of the world around them. They thought that they were immune to the pagan ways of their city, but slowly that fallacy caught up with them as they fell prey to their own vices. […]
-
Most of David’s Psalm has three parts. The first part describes his helpless situation, the second talks about his approach to God, and the third is all about praising God because of the answers he received. Praising God comes out of our hearts when we enjoy His presence and protection. Unlike other Psalms, this Psalm […]
-
Tents were the earliest form of shelter for the early Israelites. Noah, Abraham and even Moses all lived a nomadic existence and depended on tents to protect them from the harsh weather. Later on, tents became obsolete as Israelites started moving into cities and into houses made of stone. No one desired to live back […]
-
A rhetorical question is asked merely for effect where no answer is expected. The statement contains our preconceived notions, posed in the form of a question. Likewise, most of our prayers are rhetorical. Once a preacher called the believers to pray for rain in their territory as the land was battling a severe famine. Many […]
-
Paul heard that his opposers were also tarnishing his name and the credibility of his gospel. Defending the integrity of his message, Paul wrote this section of his letter to the people of Corinth. Unlike the other preachers who peddled the word of God to make a name for themselves or to extract monetary benefit […]
-
Quicksand is common and found most often where freshwater meets saltwater. It is a fluid made of sand mixed with water or air. It changes its viscosity in response to stress or vibration, making it easier to sink but harder to escape. The ground looks solid, but if we walk on it, the sand begins […]
-
With the rise of false preachers and deceitful messengers, the church in Jerusalem (which was the base for all missionary journeys) started issuing letters of recommendation to all its patrons about the ministers they would send to them. Paul himself would use such letters to introduce his associates when he would send them to a […]
-
The Psalmist compared the sturdy character of God with a rock in some Psalms. The Old Testament writers also perceived God as Rock, as they enjoyed His protection all through their journey. People compare the sturdiness of God to a rock, but God compared the unshakable faith of Abraham to a rock (Isaiah 51:1-2). People […]
-
Paul did not want to go to Corinth immediately after sending the letter full of rebuke at the hands of Titus. He was not sure how the church at Corinth would react and wanted to give them time to process and act on his rebuke. He says that he had confidence in the people to […]
-
When looking at our appearance in the mirror, we ask ourselves if we look good. If not, we try to make ourselves more presentable by making a few adjustments to our hair or clothes. The scripture reminds us of our negligence in complying with the truth, compared to the promptness of correcting our untidy hair […]
-
Regarded by most Bible scholars as the fourth letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, it serves as an affirmation to its readers who had heeded to Paul’s harsh rebuke in the preceding letter. Paul also wanted to prepare the hearts of the congregation for his next visit and remind them of the commitment they […]
-
The tone of this Psalm reveals that it was a prayer during a hostile condition. The authors of the Old Testament used the term deliverance to describe how God saved them from the hands of their enemies. After the enemies of Israelites drowned in the Red Sea, Moses and Israelites sang how God became their salvation. […]
-
In the finale of the first part of the book of Samuel, David and Saul are involved in two distinct wars that are running in parallel. While David and his men were trying to retrieve their belongings from the Amalekite raiders, Sauls’s army was taking their last stand against the fearsome Philistine forces at Mount […]
-
There is a common belief among the believers of Jesus that following Jesus’ teaching is a difficult task. Many people accept difficulties as part of a believer’s life and think that the more they suffer in this world, the greater will their reward be in heaven. Many elders teach others that following or serving Jesus […]
-
As the Philistine army gathered their forces against the Israelites, Saul was perplexed and could not even decide his next move. The realisation that the days of his reign were numbered was dawning on him only now. When Samuel had prophesied about this day, he did not understand but seeing the enemy at his doorstep, […]
-
We love one another and take care of them. We love our children, and we give them all they need. We love to take care of the sick and the poor and feel proud to stand with them during their helpless situation. Yet, our resources are limited and we cannot go beyond that to help […]
-
David knew that Saul would not give up chasing him till he had caught and killed him. So he fled to the Philistine territory and took shelter with Achish, the king of Gath. When Saul found out, he gave up searching for David and turned his attention to the growing forces of the Philistine army […]
-
Learning is a lifelong process. A famous and universally accepted quote says, “What one knows is only a handful, whereas the unknown is the size of the world.” How much you learn is like a handful of sand in the world, and you still have a whole world to study. We should not stop learning, […]
-
After a brief moment of respite, Saul resumed his hunt to capture and kill his predecessor David. As David was traversing through the desert of Ziph, the natives were informing Saul about his every move. Saul went down to the desert, with three thousand of his troops and made his camp on the hill of […]
-
Sandwiched between the two assassination opportunities of Saul that were presented to David, his encounter with Nabal and Abigail shows us a different side of him. Samuel was the one true ally that David had by his side as it was he who had anointed him as the king of Israel. After his death, David […]
-
David and his men were hiding in Judah when word came to them that the Philistines were raiding the threshing floors of Keilah. Even though strategically Keilah was part of Judah, its close proximity to Philistine territory made it a frequent target for looters who would raid the town during the harvest season. When David […]
-
David was now officially on the run as Saul had placed an open bounty on his head. He went to Nob, a town just a few miles northeast of Jerusalem to meet Ahimelek, the priest. After the destruction of Shiloh, the town of Nob had taken its place as the religious capital of Israel, housing […]
-
After evading Saul and his men at Naioth, David returned to Jerusalem to meet Jonathan. He narrated all that he had been through over the last few days and how Saul tried to kill him. While Samuel believed David when he told him the same account, Jonathan found it hard to believe that his father […]
-
The tales of David’s conquest of the giant spread throughout the land, garnering the love and respect of all the people of Israel. Even the soldiers in Saul’s army respected David as he led them in countless battles, and with God by his side, they would always come out victorious. The admiration for David was […]
-
When scripture talks about the power in the prayer of a righteous person, we inadvertently misunderstand that the prayers of the sinners are powerless. When we receive answers to our prayers, we think that we are righteous and are overwhelmed with joy and embrace pride. We attribute our righteousness as the sole cause for the […]
-
One of the most popular narratives in the Bible, the battle between David and Goliath has made its way into pop culture and is often referred to in sports when an underdog beats the defending champion. But what the world does not realize, something that Goliath and the Philistines learned the hard way, David was […]
-
After the fallout with Saul, Samuel had shut himself in his hometown of Ramah and spent his days mourning for the king of Israel. Though their relationship was going through a rocky patch, Samuel had played an important part in Saul’s life and in the transformation of his heart. Saul even started prophesying soon after […]
-
As Jesus was warning His followers about the times of tribulations that were fast approaching, He encouraged them saying that the Holy Spirit will always be by their side throughout the ordeal. When they would be dragged to the synagogues and courts and be on trial before the authorities, they need not worry about what […]
-
The failure to follow instructions had already put Saul in hot water as God did not respond to him either through the prophet or through the Urim and the Thummim. Saul was also on the outs with Samuel but after some time had passed, Samuel came to Saul with a message from the Lord. This […]
-
On His final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus visited several towns and villages along the way, teaching and healing those who came to Him. His ministry was gathering steam as more and more people started following Him. Jesus’ popularity drew such large crowds that when they were passing through the ancient city of Jericho, a tiny […]
-
Now that the relationship between Saul and Samuel had deteriorated beyond repair, he appointed himself a priest from the family line of Eli. Ahijah was the priest who had accompanied Saul’s army in their pursuit of the Philistines and was wearing the ephod that housed the Urim and the Thummim. Saul needed a man of […]
-
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were questioning Jesus’ authority after he had caused a ruckus in the temple. His condemnation of turning the temple into a marketplace was directed at them as they were the ones who had allowed the sellers in the temple. Thereafter, they desperately looked for opportunities to seize […]
The Jordan Valley 