Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, which dominated the Ancient Near East for about 300 years (900 -605 B.C.). It began its rise to world power about the time of the division of the Hebrew kingdom, at the close of Solomon’s reign. It gradually absorbed and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel.
Continue reading JONAH (AN ERRAND OF MERCY TO NINEVEH)
There’s only one sentence of prophecy in this book. And it turns out wrong: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” (Jonah 3:4).
Never happened.
Continue reading THE PROPHECY THAT DOESN’T COME TRUE
Jacob entered the world grasping-literally. The secondborn of twin boys, Jacob started his life journey by grasping his brother Esau’s heel. The symbolism is difficult to ignore. Jacob wanted what was his-and then some.
Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE (JACOB “THE QUEST FOR RECONCILIATION”)
The events that occurred at the Water Gate in Nehemiah’s time can be described as a spiritual revival. The people knew that God had made it possible for them to rebuild the city. Now they were ready to hear what else God would say to them. They listened intently. When Ezra opened the scroll of God’s law, they stood out of respect and anticipation over what they were about to hear.
Continue reading WHY WAS EZRA’S READING OF GOD’S LAW SO POWERFUL?
The Bible is sometimes accused of supporting a patriarchal culture and a husband-dominated home. Nothing could be further from the spirit and tone of these proverbs. Here, women lead in smart financial that elusive but nonetheless universally celebrated quality of sexual attractiveness. this ideal wife cares about her family, has a variety of specialized skills to put to the service of people around her, and is not captured by false images of beauty her culture puts forward as the norm. Beauty, in fact, goes much deeper than cosmetics and body shape, this proverb notes well.
Continue reading SHOULD WOMEN TODAY CULTIVATE THE TRADITIONAL KINDS OF BEHAVIORS HONORED IN THE PROVERBS?
Ezekiel loved his wife, but God told him not to grieve publicly when she died. This was to be a living message to the people concerning their abandonment of God. Yes, grief would come to them, the grief of captivity. They would suffer at the hands of Babylonian conquerors, and their homes, lands, and precious temple would be destroyed. Would they be as mute as Ezekiel, or in grief repent of sin and return to the worship of God?
Continue reading WHY WAS EZEKIEL TOLD NOT TO GRIEVE THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE?
As a prophet of God in Israel during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Elijah was an endangered species. The evil royal couple had done everything in their power to rid the nation of God’s spokespeople so that their own prophets of the false gods Baal and Asherah could do their work unopposed.
Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE (ELIJAH “SOLO, BUT NOT ALONE”)
When we communicate with each other, we do not just with our words but also with the gestures we make, such as clapping our hands. Within the culture of the Western world of our day, this single gesture of clapping our hands together can send many and even contrasting messages. For example, we clap our hands to show our approval and appreciation of what has been said or done. But we also can clap our hands together in a mock show of approval and
Continue reading EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (CLAP HANDS PT1)
Baruch was the faithful scribe of Jeremiah who wrote down the messages of the prophet in order to preserve them for future generations.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS & CURIOSITIES (BARUCH’S INK AND PAPER)
MESSAGE FROM BISHIOP CLAY LEE PHILLIPS OF THE ROSE CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THOMASVILLE GA. Continue reading “LET ME SEE YOUR FEET” SCRIPTURE READINNG FROM ROMANS 10:13-17