Life's Inanities and Ironies

 Today, I want to invite you on a profound spiritual journey—a journey that takes us back thousands of years, into the very heart of ancient Israelite worship, and then catapults us forward to the eternal truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We’re going to explore Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and discover how this solemn observance illuminates the glorious work of our Savior. Now, as Christians, we live under grace, not under the Law. This is a foundational truth of our faith, and it’s a truth that sets us free! Yet, to dismiss the Old Testament, to ignore the rich tapestry of God’s dealings with Israel, would be to miss the very blueprint for understanding our redemption. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, the Law, its rituals, and its sacrifices were but a "shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities" (Hebrews 10:1). The shadows always point to a substance, and for us, that substance is Christ. Yom Kippur: A Day of Holy Awe Y...

As Christians, we hold fast to the inerrant Word of God, taking every verse literally and seriously as the blueprint for history, prophecy, and our eternal hope. Today, let's dive into a often-overlooked passage in Genesis that reveals God's grand design for redemption—not just for Israel, but for all nations through Abraham's seed. These "hidden peoples," the sons of Abraham and Keturah, are no mere footnote in Scripture. They point to the fulfillment of God's covenants, the ingathering of the Gentiles, and the ultimate triumph of Yeshua the Messiah in the end times. Using the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) for its faithful rendering of the Hebrew roots, we'll uncover how these descendants fade from the narrative only to reemerge in powerful prophecies of blessing and redemption. Abraham's Later Family: A Foundation of Many Nations Our story begins in Genesis 25:1-6 (CJB): 25:1 Avraham took another wife, whose name was K’turah. 25:2 She bore him Zimran, ...

A Story of Alliances and Deception In the book of Joshua, we find Israel at a pivotal moment in their conquest of Canaan. Fresh off their victories at Jericho and Ai, they face a new challenge—one born not from the battlefield but from a deceptive alliance. The Gibeonites, fearing destruction, tricked Israel into a treaty by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9). Israel, failing to seek God’s counsel, made a covenant with them. Now, in Joshua 10:1-5, we see the consequences unfold as five Amorite kings unite to attack Gibeon, drawing Israel into a conflict they never anticipated. This passage, though ancient, speaks powerfully to us today. It reminds us of the dangers of deception, the importance of seeking God’s guidance, and the value of honoring our commitments—even when they are made in error. Most importantly, it reveals how God can redeem our mistakes for His glory. The Danger of Deception: Seeking God’s Wisdom The Gibeonites’ deception is a stark reminder that appearan...