Why do you think that that man with the un-pronounceable name who sent envoys to Hezekiah was sincere in his motives? Has a politician ever told a lie or have hidden rotten aims under nice words? Had Hezekiah with his illness lost his ability to think clearly? Or did pride overcome common sense?1 At thatContinue reading “Isaiah 39: 1-8….A Stupid, Stupid Thing to do!”
Category Archives: Judgement
Revelation 3: 1-6….What happened to the church in Sardis.
Introduction: In view of what follows in Jesus’ letter to the Leader of the Sardis church I asked Wikipedia if there is a church in Sardis these days. The response, “There is no active, functioning Christian church located within the archaeological site of ancient Sardis near Salihli, Turkey, today. …… no active congregation holds services among theContinue reading “Revelation 3: 1-6….What happened to the church in Sardis.”
Revelation 2: 18-29….to the angel of the church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. – Comment: I, the Son of God, can see right through into your innermost being (eyes like a flame of fire) andContinue reading “Revelation 2: 18-29….to the angel of the church in Thyatira”
Revelation 2: 12-17….Humans tend to be hypocritical! Not at all a good habit.
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killedContinue reading “Revelation 2: 12-17….Humans tend to be hypocritical! Not at all a good habit.”
Revelation: 1:9-20….Can True Love not be involved in Discipline and Judgement?
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me aContinue reading “Revelation: 1:9-20….Can True Love not be involved in Discipline and Judgement?”
Isaiah 37: 21-29….Why use obscure poetry instead of plain English?
Introduction: I guess it wasn’t in English because there was no such language as English at that time! But why poetry? In this case poetry is leaving people to guess, or more accurately, to ponder and hassle the hidden thoughts which need to be arrived at. Sennacherib, the blood thirsty, tyrannical leader of Assyria wouldContinue reading “Isaiah 37: 21-29….Why use obscure poetry instead of plain English?”
Psalm 73: 18-28….Some can write powerfully!
Introduction: This is the third day looking at Psalm 73. Yesterday’s section ended with ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.’ The psalm is about the Psalmist feeling envious and being tempted to give up the struggle, which it often is, to do the right thing all the timeContinue reading “Psalm 73: 18-28….Some can write powerfully!”
Psalm 72: 11-20….The prayer for Solomon continues.
Introduction: A couple of weeks ago, amid the prayer prayed over Solomon at his induction, because of the Church Calendar and the Ascension of Jesus, I took a break from Psalms. On that occasion I wrote in the introduction “Solomon isn’t one of my favourite Bible heroes. He started well but ended up badly…..On theContinue reading “Psalm 72: 11-20….The prayer for Solomon continues.”
Isaiah 34: 8-17….The future told in graphic pictures!
Introduction: Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, after whom the Israelis are named, had a brother Esau. Esau, and later his descendants, occupied the land of Edom. Edom was mentioned in yesterday’s tale of woes and here again at the very centre of today’s opening Edom, Israel’s neighbour, holds centre stage! 8 For theContinue reading “Isaiah 34: 8-17….The future told in graphic pictures!”
Isaiah 34: 1-8….If you are squeamish Beware!
Introduction: If there is a real story on the TV involving visible trauma there is often a warning that something is coming up which might be upsetting! In movies they just pile trauma, upon blood and guts. If you have an imagination this passage deserves a warning! I remember the scenes and smells from theContinue reading “Isaiah 34: 1-8….If you are squeamish Beware!”