It wouldn’t be impossible to feel compassion for Haman (he was, after all, someone’s son), but you’d have to work at it. The portrait painted of him in Esther is of someone who long ago said goodbye to any attempt to be a decent human being. In place of that is a dark, foreboding, destructiveContinue reading “Seeing Ourselves Correctly”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
The Heavy Heart Of Hate
While we might be challenged in several ways to understand and appreciate the significant differences between Esther’s world in the 5th century BC and ours today, Haman presents no such problem. That’s because unfortunately, there’s nothing new or novel about hate. When I speak of hate, I’m not referring to the label some are soContinue reading “The Heavy Heart Of Hate”
Less Than Paradise
The Book of Esther is a head turner. It’s about a Jewish woman (Esther), who parlays a place in the king’s harem into becoming queen of Persia. And oh yes, her cousin (Mordecai—who is her surrogate father), encourages and helps her to accomplish this. Sounds like the latest from Netflix or Hulu, doesn’t it? ButContinue reading “Less Than Paradise”
Shine Jesus Shine!
The background of Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world is the Feast of the Tabernacles (John 7:2,37; Leviticus 23:33-43). During this feast, not only did the Israelites live in booths/shelters for seven days as commanded, but the Levites built huge menorahs which they placed in the temple courtyard to illuminate the eveningContinue reading “Shine Jesus Shine!”
The “No” That Is A “Yes!”
In Titus 2:11-14, Paul is discussing the grace of God that has appeared and offers salvation to all. Of course, it has “appeared” in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His appearance changed history, it split time in two, and it continues to transform the world one person at a time. But not onlyContinue reading “The “No” That Is A “Yes!””
“Go Tell John”
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me. (Luke 7:23). Have you ever wondered how John took these words from Jesus? I have. The message from Jesus came to him some time after he had been imprisoned by Herod Antipas. Antipas was part of the Herodian dynasty. The Herodians embodied Lord Acton’s adageContinue reading ““Go Tell John””
God Is No Lucy!
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:9). It hadn’t been that way at the beginning. When Moses and Aaron initially met with the leaders of the Israelites and told them of God’s plans for them, they did more than believe. Upon hearing ofContinue reading “God Is No Lucy!”
Fresh Faith (2)
Let’s look at each of these more closely. Renewing ourselves as disciples: There are few things more toxic spiritually than a failure to learn and grow. This happens because people either think they already know it all or they are apathetic about learning. Either way, the results are the same. I’ve known some people over the years whoContinue reading “Fresh Faith (2)”
Fresh Faith (1)
In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus refused to mix the new wine (teaching) He brought with the toxic stuff the Pharisees were dispensing. Whether it was His teaching on fasting or some other issue, He wasn’t going to try to fit His teaching and ministry in with theirs (as perhaps the disciples of John were attempting to do). Continue reading “Fresh Faith (1)”
Forward By Backward
The Torah (law) came through Moses. The call to return to the law came through the prophets. Men such as Elijah called Israel away from their idols and back to God (see 1 Kings 18). It’s no coincidence that after John appeared on the scene, Jesus identified him as the Elijah who was to come and restore all things (Matthew 17;Continue reading “Forward By Backward”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 