Bible reading notes
What do we value? (Gen 25:27-34)
Gen 25:27-34 When I was a teenager, my Dad bought me a big Webster’s Dictionary. This was before the internet, so printed reference books were a real asset for looking up information. Additionally, at the time in Hungary, English-language books…
The challenge of prayer (Gen 25:19-26)
Gen 25:19-26 Most of us reading Genesis are familiar with the story of Sarah’s childlessness, but few may remember that Rebekah was barren, too, and we hear little of her painful journey. We are simply told that Isaac prayed, and…
God’s care in the little things (Gen 24:62-25:18)
Gen 24:62-67; 25:1-18 When my husband and I moved to New Zealand, we were convinced that this was the right thing and from the Lord, but I found the transition difficult. In fact, the emotional adjustment took me a good…
Playing our part in God’s will (Gen 24:10-61)
Gen 24:10-61 Have you ever wondered how God achieves His purposes when He wants willing servants? It is not enough to know God’s will, we need to play our part and do what God calls us to and that does…
When God provides against the odds (Gen 24:1-15)
Gen 24:1-15 In the early nineties, I visited Israel on a tourist trip, and dearly wanted to go back for a gap year. I felt God saying that I would be back, but opportunities seemed scarce. The only option I…
The slow outworking of God’s purposes (Gen 22:20-23:20)
Gen 22:20-24; 23:1-20 It keeps amazing me how God works out His purposes without any hurry. We are often anxious that we are running out of time whether we wait for God’s direction in our careers, for financial support for…
The path to life (Psalm 16)
Psalm 16:1-11 This psalm is used both by Peter at Pentecost and Paul later (Acts 2:27-33; 13:34-39) to support the idea that Messiah had to die and be raised to life again, thus it is an appropriate passage to reflect…
How could a loving God demand child sacrifice? (Genesis 22)
Gen 22:1-19 A question that is particularly difficult for modern readers in the story of Genesis 22 is how God could demand human sacrifice and a child’s at that. Isn’t this the kind of thing that gives the OT and…
How do we see God in testing times? (Gen 22:1-19)
Gen 22:1-19 A young woman I know was excommunicated by her church as a teenager and lost her family and all her security. Another family took her in, yet she could have been scarred for life and never gone near…
Why did God test Abraham? (Gen 22:1-19)
Gen 22:1-19 I must admit that this passage used to strike fear in my heart (and still does to some extent). Coming from a Christian background where obedience was emphasised above all, this incident in Abraham’s life always evoked for…