Cherubim were everywhere in the tabernacle—no matter where you were you couldn’t escape their presence. If you stood in the holy place as the priests did, they were woven into its curtains (26:1). If you were passing from the holy place into the holy of holies as only the high priest could on the DayContinue reading “Holy Intimacy”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Paul, Gentleness and Gender
When Paul wants to talk about their gentleness among the Thessalonians he says, “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). It’s a beautiful picture of tenderness and it’s set in contrast to the idea that Paul showed up barking orders and giving commands. ThatContinue reading “Paul, Gentleness and Gender”
Ho Hum or Hallelujah?
When we get to the tabernacle, the priesthood, the sacrificial system, and all of the instructions relative to them; it seems overwhelming and quite strange to our way of thinking. The enormous amount of detail seems tedious while the elaborate ceremonies and rituals are so visceral that they seem hopelessly devoid of anything “spiritual.” I don’tContinue reading “Ho Hum or Hallelujah?”
Golden Calves
It seems that Israel’s intent wasn’t to create another god but to use the calf to represent the One who brought them out of Egypt (v. 4 and 8 can be translated in the singular). Aaron apparently understands it that way as it will be part of a festival to the Lord (v. 5). If thatContinue reading “Golden Calves”
Going Viral (Contagion)
The movie Contagion reminds us where the phrase going viral comes from. Set in the present, it tells the story of two organizations (the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization), trying to control the rapid spread of an unknown virus. But it’s not a sensationalistic, techno-thriller, with a single storyline of man vs. mutating virus. Instead, it’s severalContinue reading “Going Viral (Contagion)”
Exodus and Freedom
A tennis player at the French Open had the words, “Mother,” “Champion,” “Queen,” and “Goddess” written on her attire. She was certainly a mother and a champion, but the last two probably belong in the category of if you have to tell people you are, then you probably aren’t. The “Queen” and “Goddess” didn’t makeContinue reading “Exodus and Freedom”
The Judgment (2)
Judgement texts can and have been over-literalized so that a picture is painted where absolutely every thought, every motive, every attitude, every word and every deed we have ever done will be brought up. Overly sensitive followers of Jesus can go into an deaths spiral over this and quickly feel overwhelmed, unsaved and worst of all—without hope.Continue reading “The Judgment (2)”
Don’t Miss the Treasure
Paul had addressed the Corinthians’ tendency to exalt certain messengers of Christ in 1 Corinthians 3:1ff. As he writes the letter we know as 2 Corinthians, it doesn’t seem as if his words had their desired effect. The Corinthians still seem caught up with the messenger rather than the message. The situation has been exacerbatedContinue reading “Don’t Miss the Treasure”
2 Peter 3–End of the World? (2)
Peter speaks in 2 Peter 3 of a coming/day of the Lord/day of God where the heavens and earth will be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and earth. In a previous post, I laid the groundwork for concluding that this day of the Lord is not the return of Jesus at the end of time because the objection fromContinue reading “2 Peter 3–End of the World? (2)”
Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)
Janice and I are blessed with two adult daughters and one granddaughter. We also have an adult son and four grandsons, but this little piece is not about the boys—it is all about the girls. It should pain our hearts deeply whenever women are mistreated—all the way from a failure to be recognized and appreciatedContinue reading “Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)”
