Topical
Should we let go of justice when we forgive? (Jer 11:18-12:17)
Jer 11:18-23; 12:1-17 One time when I was giving a lecture on Isaiah 53, the Suffering Servant who was crushed and wounded and endured suffering that we may be healed, someone asked me whether an abused person should keep accepting…
Can a righteous person save a city? (Jer 5:1)
Jer 5:1 When faced with the overwhelming problems and needs of this world, as they come to us through news media, mission organisations or charities, we may feel utterly helpless. What difference can our contributions make? I’ll never forget the…
How best to evaluate biblical characters?
When I was teaching Old Testament in Bible college/seminary, some of my students interpreted biblical characters in a very black-and-white fashion. Either they decided that someone was praiseworthy and played up the good in them while ignoring the shady side…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part II.
Ezra 9:1-15 In the first part of this question (Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I), I explored the reason in Deuteronomy 7, which the exiles used to condemn intermarriages with non-Jews. I now turn to…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I.
Ezra 9:1-2 Given that modern readers are particularly sensitive to the issue of racism, it is not surprising that we immediately suspect it in the exiles’ story and this assumption is sadly reinforced by many translations that have ‘holy race’…
Were the exiles racist in their definition of identity? (Ezra 2:1-70)
Ezra 2:1-70 Throughout the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, Israel (i.e. God’s people) are defined as Jews who returned from exile (Ezra 2:2). For modern readers with a greater sensitivity to racial and ethnic exclusion and to related atrocities in…
Does God change His mind? (1 Sam 15:29)
1 Sam 15:11, 29, 35 In 1 Sam 15:29, Samuel insists that God does not lie or change His mind like human beings do. In context, God has resolved to take the kingdom from Saul and He is not going…
The destruction of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:1-3)
1 Sam 15:1-3 The incident of Saul commanded by God to destroy the Amalekites sounds dangerously like genocide and is deeply troubling. How could God require such a thing? This is the kind of scenario that gives the Old Testament…
Our part in God’s plan (Exod 23:20-33)
Exod 23:20-33 One of the hardest things to know as we seek God’s will is what our part in the unfolding of His plan is. Depending on the Christian tradition we come from, some of us are more inclined to…
- An eye for an eye (lex talionis), Bible reading notes, Exodus, Exodus 20-24 (Book of the Covenant), Topical
Protection and justice for all (Exod 21:18-36)
Exod 21:18-36 As a relative newcomer to NZ, I am nevertheless aware of Māori who rightly feel bitter about their historic grievances (loss of ancestral land, destruction of their identities and their way of life) whose impact reaches into the…