Famine is awful. I’m from the northeastern USA, so I know nothing of famine. In fact, weather reporters in my region regularly report on how much rain we’ve gotten in a given month or year, and many times they will say we are in a drought when our rainfall total is simply below average. InContinue reading “A shocking reason for famine in Israel (and an equally shocking solution) – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 4”
Tag Archives: israel
What happened when David’s peace delegation was shamed by the Ammonites – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 3
Could you imagine if a peace delegation from the USA went to North Korea, and the North Koreans forcibly shaved the heads of the men and women in our delegation, and then cut off their garments at the waist and kicked them out of the country? What kind of response do you think the USContinue reading “What happened when David’s peace delegation was shamed by the Ammonites – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 3”
Leadership that does what is just and right – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 2
Ancient Israel was a theocracy. A theocracy is a nation that is organized around a religious system. For Israel, God was their true king, and his law was the law of the land. God was the true Shepherd of the people. David was only an undershepherd. Great Britain had some similarities to theocracy. The KingContinue reading “Leadership that does what is just and right – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 2”
How abandoned buildings help us understand the Conquest of Canaan – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 1
When you go on vacation, you lock up your house, and you expect to return after a week or two to a house that is just as you left it. But what would happen if you were gone for a lot longer than that? At what point does property get condemned and given or soldContinue reading “How abandoned buildings help us understand the Conquest of Canaan – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 1”
Human approaches to justice are often convoluted, but what about God’s approach? – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Preview
I am an adjunct professor, and in class recently I did something that the students were not prepared for. I raised my hand. Let me explain. I am teaching the Gospels, and one of the projects the students do is a group presentation on a section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Each week aContinue reading “Human approaches to justice are often convoluted, but what about God’s approach? – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Preview”
The important difference between contract and covenant in our relationship with God – 2 Samuel 7, Part 5
When David gets the news from God that God is covenanting with David to turn David’s monarchy into a dynasty, David responds to God in prayer. In 2 Samuel chapter 7, verse 18, we learn that David went in and sat before the Lord. Went where? Probably to the new special tent where the ArkContinue reading “The important difference between contract and covenant in our relationship with God – 2 Samuel 7, Part 5”
How David’s dynasty actually did last forever – 2 Samuel 7, Part 4
But what about a king? As we learned in the previous post, God promised David that his dynasty would last forever. But 400 years later, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, and there were no more Davidic kings. It sure seemed that God didn’t keep his promise. Except that God did keep his promise. This is why theContinue reading “How David’s dynasty actually did last forever – 2 Samuel 7, Part 4”
God promised David a dynasty “forever”. Why did it last only 400 years? – 2 Samuel 7, Part 3
In 2 Samuel 7, God has told David that David will not be the one to build God a temple. But God said quite a bit more than that, didn’t he? Look at verse 8. God reminds David of David’s improbable rise to the top. From being a lowly shepherd who followed a few sheepContinue reading “God promised David a dynasty “forever”. Why did it last only 400 years? – 2 Samuel 7, Part 3″
Are you trying to hide something from God? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. In the dramatic story ofContinue reading “Are you trying to hide something from God? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 5”
Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. David has a big responsibilityContinue reading “Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 