Chapters 2 and 3 of Genesis set the scene for the remainder of the book of Genesis as well as the Bible as a whole. Chapter 2 establishes how the world was created to be, the garden paradise that we still yearn for. Chapter 3, however, purposely mirrors chapter 2 because it reveals how paradise …
Even if we were to study a book of the Bible one verse at a time, there would still be no way extracting every nugget of truth and wisdom from its pages, so given the pace with which we will be studying Exodus (often moving one chapter or more per week), there will obviously be …
Continue reading Deceiving the Serpent: Was It Sin for the Midwives to Deceive Pharaoh?
As we look at this first chapter, we will read of the events that set the scene for the remainder of the book, particularly of God’s marvelous redemption within the first fourteen chapters. Here we see the people of Israel enslaved and slaughtered under the cruel hand of Pharaoh, yet in the midst of such …
Today we say goodbye to 2021 and make ourselves ready for 2022. As I did last year, I would like to make my final post of the year one that both looks forward to what the new year might hold as well as looking back on some highlights of the previous year. So, what’s the …
The ESV Study Bible appropriately introduces the book of Exodus, saying: Exodus is an adventure story par excellence. It features a cruel villain (Pharaoh), an unlikely hero (Moses), overwhelming disasters (the plagues), a spectacular deliverance (crossing the Red Sea), a long journey (through the wilderness), a mountaintop experience (where Moses received the Ten Commandments), and …
Continue reading Out of Egypt, Through Wilderness, Into Covenant: Introducing Exodus
And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:15 ESV In God’s anger, He was prepared to send the Israelites into the Promised Land without His presence. God is always faithful to keep His promises, and, because of His promise to Abraham, …
Continue reading Do Not Bring Us Up from Here | Exodus 33:15
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the …
Continue reading Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees | Mark 8:11-21
And David says,“Let their table become a snare and a trap,a stumbling block and a retribution for them” Romans 11:9 If there is any idea in the Bible that is difficult to hear, it is that God hardens hearts. However, when reading through the Bible, one is forced to confront this reality. The most glaring …
Then the angel of God who was going before the hose of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the …
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. Exodus 13:21 ESV The newly freed Israelites fled quickly from their former masters, the Egyptians, …
B. C. Newton 