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Category Archives: Bible Study
Matthew’s Genealogy and the End of the Exile
After reading N.T. Wright’s The New Testament and the People of God, I read Matthew’s genealogy a little differently this morning. Reflecting on the way I normally read Matthew’s first chapter, I think I have typically read the counts that … Continue reading
Posted in Bible Study, Matthew, New Testament
Tagged exile, Israel, Jesus, Messiah, N.T. Wright
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Reversal—A Sermon on Hosea 2
Hosea the prophet lives in a time of false security, when his nation manipulates politics to acquire a sense of independent security, and manipulates religion in an attempt to acquire economic stability. Their political/military life and their worship both lead … Continue reading
Posted in Eschatology, Hosea, Old Testament, Preaching, Sermon Manuscript
Tagged hope, hosea, repentance
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Joseph and Jacob’s Story
I mentioned that while we were prepping for our VBS this year we had a session with our good friend (and Old Testament scholar) Dr. John Fortner. One of the best insights for me that came out of that story … Continue reading
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, Old Testament
Tagged covenant, Jacob, Joseph, narrative, story
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Location in Hosea
Read through Hosea a few times, and you’ll soon pick up on how frequently Hosea’s prophecies are rooted in particular places. There are about 34 references to 20 different places in the book—a fairly dense concentration for a book of … Continue reading
Posted in Bible Study, Hosea, Old Testament
Tagged hosea, location, place, Poetry, prophecy
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Joseph—VBS for Big Boys and Girls
Tonight we begin that age old summer festival known as VBS. Vacation Bible School means our church will be overrun by children and filled with the sounds of crafts and snacks. The decorations are spilling over into every part of … Continue reading
Names—A Sermon on Hosea 1
At the market, a man picks vegetables, tying to decide between the vegetables. He thumps a melon, scans the cucumbers, and inspects the onions. He notices a cute little girl playing with her brother near his basket and smiles at … Continue reading
Posted in Bible Study, Hosea, Old Testament, Preaching, Sermon Manuscript
Tagged hosea, Hosea 1, Poetry, prophecy, prophet, sermon
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Historical Background of Hosea—Baal and Idolatry
The second major background factor that we need to grasp somewhat to read Hosea well is the worship of the Canaanite god Baal(s). (The first is the Assyrian crisis, discussed here.) The name “Baal” shows up seven times in Hosea … Continue reading
Historical Background of Hosea—Assyria
Over the next month I’ll be working through Hosea in sermons and some blog posts. The short book of powerful prophetic poetry (accompanied by two brief narrative sections), cannot be read in strict isolation. It contains virtually no historical context, … Continue reading
Hosea’s Coming!
Now that this stretch of ad hoc sermons is over, it’s time to dig down deep into a series again. I’ve been stewing in Hosea for the last couple of months to get ready. It’s an incredible book about love … Continue reading
Posted in Bible Study, Hosea, Old Testament, Poetry
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Brueggemann Interview Streaming
Here is a stream for an interview Walter Brueggemann is doing this afternoon. My understanding is the interview is going to revolve around how ancient texts inform our experience of being human. Brueggemann is a wonderful Old Testament theologian—one of … Continue reading