I am reading The Oxford History of the Biblical World.
A few interesting points. There are parallel stories. One of the most surprising is that from the Song of Deborah you count 10 tribes, not 12. Of which 2 are not considered tribes generally.
Category: The Old Testament
Finding God in the Psalms
This is a collection of unpolished thoughts on this book which I have been reading over the last month. What I have taken away which I consider of most importance is that all of creation is worshipping God, and that when we engage in worship, especially singing and praying the psalms, we are transformed. Like…
Sam, Michael and Anna
Once upon a time there were three children called Sam, Michael and Anna. Now these children were best friends and all went to the same school. One day it was RE. Today Miss T. Ollertant was teaching about Buddhism. She told the class that Buddhism was the best religion because it said that good things…
The Call of Ezekial and thoughts on God
What does the call of Ezekiel teach about God – some notes. Eyes – all seeing Moving all over the place – Omnipresent (everywhere) Throne above – in control Noise – power Great expanse – power Living creatures – power
Agents/recipients of wrath
There are many examples in the Old Testament of people and nations being instruments of God’s justice only to find themselves later rebuked or destroyed themselves. Jehu – After destroying Ahab’s family (2 Kings 9,10) which seemed at the time to be accomplishing the purposes of God. We are later told that punishment will come…
Elijah vs Elisha
When Elijah flees for his life to Mount Horeb God tells him “anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah only got round to anointing the latter. Elisha’s name means “God…
Thoughts on Samuel, Saul and David
Poor Saul has been judged harshly. He had massive issues to deal with. The Philistines held a major dominance in the land and he had to deal with that. On top of that he was the first king in a land with no administration and not even a proper army. His people were poorly equipped, as iron…
Samuel and Saul: A Negative Symbiosis
This article by Moshe Reiss challenges the orthodox view that would consider Samuel an upright man beyond reproach and Saul as a failure of a king. Saul’s faults? It asks some interesting questions that are worth considering: What command did Saul break when he sacrificed before the Lord in chapter 13? David and Solomon both…
Thoughts on “Samson: A Tragedy in Three Acts” by Shimon Bakon
Article available here Things that were new to me: There is mention of God moving Samson in his early life and one has to consider how it was that he became a judge, so perhaps he had a golden age that the Bible doesn’t mention. “and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him…
Review of “Gideon and the Ephraimites” by Josiah Derby
Link to article I found this very interesting article on Google. It highlighted a very interesting point I had not noted when I read the passage on Gideon (Judges 6 – 8). In Judges, Chapter 8 we read “Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when…
The Judges: an overview
Judge: Othniel Tribe: Judah Ref: 3:7 – 11 Oppressor: Aram Naharaim Years of oppression: 8 Years of peace: 40 Judge: Ehud Tribe: Benjamin Ref: 3:12 – 30 Oppressor: Moab, Amalek, Ammon Years of oppression: 18 Years of peace: 80 Judge: Deborah/ Barak Tribe: Naphtali Ref: Chs 4,5 Oppressor: Jabin/ Canaan Years of oppression: 20 Years of…
Order and Creation in the Ancient Near East
The three great influences on the Hebrew Bible are Canaan, Egypt and Babylon. Each of these had well developed beliefs about the gods, creation and order in the cosmos. In the Ancient Near East they had no concept of nothingness before creation. For them the opposite of an ordered creation was total disorder often cast…
The importance of the Exodus to Israel
The importance of the Exodus to Israel and the revelation of God as a Father This essay explains and elucidates the following statement: ‘The Exodus is such a significant event in Israel’s history, that it serves as more than just an account of the wandering in the desert. It is a paradigm, a pattern of…
The Oracles of Balaam
Numbers 22-24 Balaam son of Beor is a curios character – a man of extremes. He was from Pethor near the Euphrates so hundreds of miles east from Moab. On the one hand he held to what God said. He refused to curse Israel against God’s will. However, he was lured by power and money…
A Crescendo of Plagues
Aaron’s Staff Becomes a Snake Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts Ex 7:11 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. Ex 7:13 1. The Plague of Blood By this you…
Abraham in context
Just watched video from http://brucegore.com/VideoPlay2.aspx Was interesting but not as good as the videos on Enuma Elish and The Epic of Gilgamesh. Some interesting points. When looking on map I saw the main cities along the fertile crescent: Allepo, Damascus, Haran, Ninevah, Babylon. In ancient covenants each party would walk between animals that had been cut…
Genesis 3 and 4
Similarities between Genesis 3 and 4. 1. God has warned Caan as he warned Adam and Eve. 2. God confronts Caan as he did Adam. 3. A curse is pronounced. 4. There is a sending away. Caan is sent away from farming to being a restless wanderer. 5. There is mercy even in judgement. God…
The Fall and relationships
I have not really considered how the fall affected marriage. So according to Genesis 3 the woman now is desperate for the love of a man. The man wants to dominate over the woman rather than protect and love her. Also the man now has to work harder to survive and the woman has pain…