David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-12:31)
David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-12:31)
This text narrates the story of King David's adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and the subsequent events leading to Uriah's death. After learning of Bathsheba's pregnancy, David attempts to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah back from battle to sleep with his wife. When this...
First Plague: Turning water to blood (Exodus 7:14-29)
The first plague affects the water of the river Nile. The water is turned into blood which kills every living fish and produces an unpleasant smell. This makes the water undrinkable. Additionally, the effect of this plague is spread on every water wherever it is contained. The mages were able to...
In My Distress I Cried Unto the Lord (Psalm 120)
Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). It's a short psalm, expressing a cry for deliverance and peace in the midst of distress and falsehood. The psalm starts with the psalmist expressing his deep distress and how he turns to the Lord for deliverance. In his...
Wisdom’s Call (Proverbs 8:1-9:18)
The proverb accounts the Wisdom as a direct witness to the creation. She was there and saw the act. Therefore the Wisdom also precedes the existence of the creation. The Wisdom is the one who mediates between God and humans. In the book of Proverbs, God is a somewhat distant deity. He does not...
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good (Psalm 136)
This is a responsive psalm where the community answers back to the deeds of praise on God. The first topic is the creation for which God receives the praise. The following topic is the Exodus and the way to the Promised land. These are the main events in the history of God's people, in which the...
Rule of Faith (Regula Fidei)
The rule of faith is kind of a summary statement. It incorporates a set of doctrines based on Scripture. It was especially used as a unity statement in order to define Christianity (i.e. against gnostics), as a exegetical base, or as a baptismal formula. It can be found in various forms among the...
Judge Ibzan (Judges 12:8-10)
Ibzan is the ninth judge of Israel. He was from Bethlehem and had very numerous offspring. He ruled over Israel for seven years.
Fourth Plague: Flies (Exodus 8:16-28)
In the fourth plague, the Lord sent flies on Pharaoh and his people.