The significance of Melchizedek
Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:1-7; Heb 5:5-10; 7:1-28 In my last post, I focused on the incident with Melchizedek within Abraham’s story (see my post Becoming people above reproach (Genesis 14)). This is important, I believe, because far too often we…
Becoming people above reproach (Genesis 14)
Gen 14:1-24 As an Old Testament lecturer, I spent some time on the doctoral board of a secular university representing the Bible college/seminary where I taught. The group was generally friendly on a personal level, so when a Christian proposal…
How to receive God’s promises (Genesis 13)
Gen 13:1-18 Over a year ago, just as Auckland went into a lockdown of over three months, my husband and I were bidding for a property in Christchurch. The house was attractive and seemed a good fit for our needs,…
Learning about God’s grace that overrules (Gen 12:10-20)
Gen 12:10-20 Have you ever faced momentous decisions and wondered, what if I make a mistake? What if I get it wrong in my choice and I mess up God’s plan for my life? What if I marry the ‘wrong’…
The challenge of God’s call (Gen 11:27-12:9)
Gen 11:27-32; 12:1-9 A Chinese friend’s son decided at eighteen not to continue with study but go into business and earn money instead. His parents wished him a university degree and a career with better long-term prospects than his entrepreneurship.…
Introduction to the patriarchal narratives (Gen 12-50)
The narrative of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs from whom the people of Israel descended, as well as the events around Joseph, are the better-known stories of the Old Testament, perhaps remembered from Sunday School. The story line follows…
How can we face trouble with hope? (Psalm 27)
Ps 27:1-14 The New Year gives us a sense of a new beginning, a chance to re-think our priorities, to break old patterns and establish new ones. If we got stuck in bad habits, or our thinking and emotions move…
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!
I am taking a break over the next two weeks from posting and will re-start in the New Year in the second week of January.
The good news that calls for a response (Luke 2:8-20)
Luke 2:8-20 Browsing among Christmas cards recently, I was struck again by how few options exist that have anything to do with the meaning of Christmas. ‘Merry Christmas’ is increasingly replaced by ‘Happy Holidays’ and ‘Seasons’ Greetings’. The odd card…
How God’s power really works (Luke 2:1-7)
Luke 2:1-7 My father worked in import-export during the Communist era in Hungary. He was an avid reader, particularly of history, and on business trips abroad he often bought books that the regime would not allow in the country because…