Matthew offers us several beginnings regarding Jesus in the introductory portion of his gospel (1:1-4:16). There’s the beginning of the preaching concerning the kingdom Christ is bringing in the work of John the Baptist (3:1ff). Then there’s the beginning of Jesus’ public life marked by His baptism (3:13ff) and the beginning of His ministry inContinue reading “The Genesis Of Jesus”
Tag Archives: David
The Army And The Armor
There are a couple of things Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-18 that really ought to ring our bell. One is fairly obvious, but I think the other lies below the surface. The truth we’re more familiar with in his emphasis on us relying on the Lord and His power (as opposed to our own). “Be strong in the LordContinue reading “The Army And The Armor”
The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His
The scepter will not depart from Judah Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until He to whom it belongs shall come And the obedience of the nations shall be His. (Genesis 49:10) It’s not difficult to look at the first part of this blessing that Jacob gives to his son Judah and recognize thatContinue reading “The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His”
A Better Idea
Psalm 132 does more than look back—it also points forward. And just as David is the subject of the backward look, he is also the subject their future hopes. Sort of. No sooner had David successfully relocated the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, then he embarked on another project—to build a house (temple) forContinue reading “A Better Idea”
A Passion for God
The first half of Psalm 132 recounts David’s desire to “find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (v. 5). Although this sounds like a reference to building the temple (something he would express a longing to do later), it isn’t. It has to do with relocating theContinue reading “A Passion for God”
Something to Sing About
When you look at a series or a group of anything, there are usually one or two that don’t quite fit into the category as neatly as the others do. They’re not outliers, but they stand out a bit. That’s Psalm 132. It is different from the other psalms of ascent in at least aContinue reading “Something to Sing About”