Prophecy as prediction?
As we read about Matthew’s use of Messianic prophecies this Advent, we may wonder about prophecy and what it’s meant to do. Today’s post reflects on this topic. Most Christians are taught in our churches to think of prophecy as…
God’s true Son (Matt 2:13-15; Hos 11:1)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Matt 2:13-15; Hos 11:1 One Christmas on returning home after a semester of theological study, I felt particularly vulnerable. I can’t…
A God of surprises (Mic 5:2 and Matt 2:1-6)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Mic 5:2; Matt 2:1-6 During my time at Bible college (seminary for US readers), a classmate was planning a summer placement…
Reading Messianic prophecies
As we read the early portions of the Gospels about Jesus’s birth and the prophecies which were supposedly ‘fulfilled’ by the events, we may be puzzled about the connections the gospel writers make. Sometimes, a closer look at the OT…
God with us – part II (Matt 1:18-25 and Isa 7)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Matt 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:1-25 In my last post, I explored the story of Ahaz and the choice he had between entrusting…
God with us – part I (Isa 7:1-16; Matt 1:22-23)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Isa 7:1-16; Matt 1:22-23 As Christmas approaches, we often find ourselves torn between wanting to prepare for the season spiritually but…
Jephthah’s vow II – What if…? (Judg 11:34-40)
It is sometimes assumed that if only Jephthah had known certain laws, he could have redeemed his vow, but the regulations commentators mention (e.g. Lev 27:1-8 or Lev 5:4-5) are not straightforward (see my discussion here). Vows are solemn promises…
Jephthah’s vow I – the price of fulfilling our desires (Judg 11:29–33)
Perhaps in response to Jephthah’s expression of faith (Judg 11:27), God’s Spirit comes on him – the Lord’s first explicit involvement since 10:11-16. Despite all we know of Jephthah, his mixed beliefs, his drive for recognition, God responds to his…
Jephthah’s vow – some issues discussed (Judg 11:29-40)
It is confusing for us to know what to think about Jephthah’s vow when Scripture doesn’t give an explicit value judgement. God seems to have responded by giving him victory, but if so, is such a vow from God? If…
Jephthah and the Ammonites – shaped by truth… and pagan beliefs (Judg 11:12-28)
We have seen so far that Israel was threatened by the Ammonites and Jephthah has been made leader. He, the former outcast, must have felt good about negotiating on equal terms with the Ammonite king (11:15, ‘Thus says…’ is a…