If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side (Psalm 124)
If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side (Psalm 124)
Psalm 124 is a song of ascents, traditionally attributed to King David, that expresses profound gratitude and recognition of divine intervention and protection in the face of adversity. The psalm begins by inviting the Israelites to consider the hypothetical situation of the Lord not being on...
Those Who Trust in the Lord (Psalm 125)
Psalm 125 is a song of ascents, expressing trust in God's protection and justice. It uses vivid imagery and key Hebrew terms to convey its message of faith and divine justice. The Psalm begins by comparing those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but stands forever. This...
When the Lord Restored the Fortunes of Zion, We Were Like Those Who Dreamed (Psalm 126)
Psalm 126 is a powerful passage that belongs to the collection of Psalms known as the "Songs of Ascents," traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for religious festivals. This specific psalm reflects a communal memory of past deliverance and a prayer for future restoration,...
Unless the Lord builds the house (Psalm 127)
Psalm 127:1-5, attributed to Solomon, emphasizes the importance of divine providence and blessing in all human endeavors. The stress of the passege is clearly that without the Lord's involvement and blessing, human efforts are ultimately futile. The psalm begins in verse 1 with the assertion...
Blessed are All Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 128)
Psalm 128 is a song of ascents, part of a collection of psalms sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It is a concise poem, rich in blessings and promises for those who fear Yahweh and walk in his ways. The theological message of the psalm emphasizes the importance of piety and the fear...
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...
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...
Let not the Wise Boast (Jeremiah 9:22-23)
In this passage, the Lord warns against boasting in one's wisdom, strength, or wealth, as these worldly attributes are not what truly matter in the eyes of God. Instead, God desires that individuals take pride in their knowledge and understanding of Him, recognizing His just and righteous...
The Lord will Dwell in Zion (Zechariah 2:14-17)
The passage Zechariah 2:14-17 offers profound theological insights. It foregrounds the divine promise of God's immanent presence amongst His people, indicating an intimate and benevolent relationship between the Divine and His followers. This presence denotes more than mere proximity. It suggests...
Malachi
The book of Malachi, the last of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, begins with a divine proclamation of love for Israel. Yet, intertwined with this assurance is a deep-seated divine discontent. God addresses the spiritual apathy and negligence of both the priests and the people of Israel....
Gemstones in the New Testament
In the tapestry of biblical narratives, the New Testament unveils a fascinating array of precious stones. These gems, particularly highlighted in the Book of Revelation, are not just ornamental but are imbued with profound symbolic significance. They are emblematic of spiritual truths, divine...
Teaching about Divorce (Matthew 19:1-12)
Matthew 19:1-12 recounts Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, emphasizing the sacredness of marital bonds and the importance of upholding the original intent of God's design for marriage. The passage begins with the Pharisees testing Jesus by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce...
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King (Matthew 21:1-11)
The text describes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this passage, Jesus fulfills an Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) by riding into the city on a donkey, accompanied by his disciples. A large crowd gathers to welcome him, laying their cloaks and palm branches on the road as a sign of...
Acts of Mercy (Matthew 25:34-40)
This passage emphasizes the importance of caring for others and serving them as a way of serving God aswell as Jesus served us. It teaches that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God, and that we will be judged based on how we have treated the least among us. The passage...