Read Isaiah 1:15-23; Isaiah 3:13-15; and Isaiah 5:7-8. How would you describe the prophet’s response to what he observes in society around him? Isaiah’s opening sermon—the first five chapters—is a mix of scathing criticism of the kind of society God’s people had become, warnings of impending judgment in response to their rejection of God and continued wrongdoing, and … Continue reading –>
If we were to ask a group of Christians about the “sins of Sodom”, chances are many would launch into a description of its various sexual sins and other forms of depravity. After all, Genesis 19:1-13 does depict a sick and warped society more than ripe for destruction. Interestingly enough, though, the answer is more complicated than … Continue reading –>
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NKJV). What are ways, right now, you can live out these words? Micah 6:8 is perhaps one of the best known texts in Scripture. … Continue reading –>
“I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15, NIV). Amos was quite open in admitting his lack of qualifications … Continue reading –>
Despite God’s clearly detailed plan for the Israelite nation, the Israelite people rarely lived up to their calling. Not many generations after they were established in the land, they asked Samuel, the prophet and judge, to appoint a king to lead their nation, “such as all the other nations have” (1 Sam. 8:5, NIV). Read 1 Samuel … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Sam. 8:10-18, Amos 5:10-15, Micah 6:8, Gen. 19:1-13, Ezek. 16:49, Isa. 1:15-23. Memory Text: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NKJV). The Old Testament prophets are among the most interesting … Continue reading –>
Missionary SUV By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission Parking at home in the U.S. state of Maryland, Joe Marcellino saw a trail of oil winding up the street from his Isuzu Trooper SUV. “Oh-oh”, he said to his wife, Susan. “Things aren’t good”. Joe, a 33-year-old IT manager at the Seventh-day Adventist world church headquarters in … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Last Years of David”, pages 746-755, in Patriarchs and Prophets; C. S. Lewis, “Judgment’ in the Psalms”, pages 15-22, in Reflections on the Psalms. “The psalms of David pass through the whole range of experience, from the depths of conscious guilt and self-condemnation to the loftiest faith and the most … Continue reading –>
As a collection of wisdom sayings, the book of Proverbs touches on a diverse range of topics and life experiences. Among these are reflections on poverty, riches, contentment, justice, and injustice—and sometimes from differing angles. Life is not always simple and straightforward, and Proverbs alerts us to the different circumstances and choices that influence how … Continue reading –>
As we near the end of the book of Psalms, the exclamations of praise seem to grow in crescendo after crescendo. The final five psalms begin with the simple and direct command to “Praise the LORD!” but the first of these—Psalm 146—has a particular focus on God’s concern for the poor and oppressed as a … Continue reading –>
