Bible reading notes
Jesus the Nazarene? (Matt 2:23)
This post is also a part of my reflections in ‘The hidden centre of Christmas’ (read it here), but I reproduce it as a separate post, so it is easier to find. Matt 2:23 There are three major interpretations regarding…
The hidden centre of Christmas (Matt 2:19–23)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Matt 2:19-23 As Christmas approaches, Santa parades, images of Father Christmas, of reindeers and snow abound (rather incongruous in New Zealand…
Hope in tragedy (Jer 31:15; Matt 2:16-18)
In this season of Advent, I am reflecting on the prophecies that Matthew cites in telling about Jesus’s birth. Jer 31:15; Matt 2:16-18 Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, but instead of the most wonderful time of…
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…
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 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…