Introduction: If history is not important for the church why are so many books of the Bible historical books? From Genesis to Job all the books are based on History! Many of the prophetic books mention historical facts and the first five books of the New Testament are historical! And simple reading is not enoughContinue reading “Various Passages …. Are History and Liturgy and study/think-ing important for Christians?”
Author Archives: Barry Hicks
Isaiah 42: 18-25….Are people, on the whole, good listeners?
Introduction: This is the third devotional on Isaiah ch 42. I have followed the three divisions in the chapter as shown in the ESV translation. The titles are – ‘The Lord’s chosen servant’, ‘Sing to the Lord a New Song’ and ‘Israel’s failure to Hear and See’. Fundamentally they talk about the promised Messiah (unnamed,Continue reading “Isaiah 42: 18-25….Are people, on the whole, good listeners?”
Isaiah 42: 10-17….A New Song commanded!
10 Sing to the LORD a new song,his praise from the end of the earth,you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,the coastlands and their inhabitants.11 Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,the villages that Kedar inhabits;let the habitants of Sela sing for joy,let them shout from theContinue reading “Isaiah 42: 10-17….A New Song commanded!”
Isaiah 42: 1-9….Of whom is this speaking?
Introduction: This is a passage from the Bible. Read it and as you read it, think to yourself ‘Who fits this picture?’ And go further – think, Does this person fit the picture perfectly?’ The LORD’S Chosen Servant1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my Spirit uponContinue reading “Isaiah 42: 1-9….Of whom is this speaking?”
Isaiah 41: 21-29….A Jury scene!
Introduction: I suggest that you read the passage twice – firstly ignoring my comments, which are in green, and secondly as if the green words are part of the passage. But don’t forget that the green is not scripture but my thoughts which helped me to understand the flow of the passage better! The Lord,Continue reading “Isaiah 41: 21-29….A Jury scene!”
Isaiah 41: 11-20….Is there a phobia for the Jews about their future?
Introduction: The word ‘phobia’ is not found in this passage. I use it because as I read this Psalm (remember that we looked at the first 10 verses yesterday) I think that somehow the Israelites have developed an understandable but nevertheless irrational fear of their neighbours! Irrational because God gives explanations, promises and hopes whichContinue reading “Isaiah 41: 11-20….Is there a phobia for the Jews about their future?”
Isaiah 41: 1-10….Note the difference that God makes!
1 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;let the peoples renew their strength;let them approach, then let them speak;let us together draw near for judgment. – Who do you think are the peoples of the Coastlands being referred to here? The descendants of Jacob, or the descendants of Esau who inhabit the surrounding countries? WhoContinue reading “Isaiah 41: 1-10….Note the difference that God makes!”
Psalm 88: 8-18….We don’t find all the answers!
8 You have caused my companions to shun me;you have made me a horror to them.I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. – Summary: Yesterday I ended up here in the Psalm with these words. ‘- God is Sovereign, but has He caused this enmity between companions?Continue reading “Psalm 88: 8-18….We don’t find all the answers!”
Psalm 88: 1-9a….A heartfelt Cry to God!
Introduction: God doesn’t spoon feed His people for ever! He graciously lets us drink the milk of the Word to begin with and to get us through the baby stages of growth in Christ. There are stages of spoon feeding but there is meant to be a stage for us to be able to chewContinue reading “Psalm 88: 1-9a….A heartfelt Cry to God!”
Psalm 87:1-7….Jerusalem! Selah.
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;2 the LORD loves the gates of Zionmore than all the dwelling places of Jacob.3 Glorious things of you are spoken,O city of God. Selah – We are instructed to pause and ponder. Why are glorious things spoken of this city on Mt Zion? Why isContinue reading “Psalm 87:1-7….Jerusalem! Selah.”