Bible Notes
Wounding and healing
A Easter meditation on Isaiah 53:4-6
The following was delivered at an Easter Tenebrae service, April 2021
At first glance this is a strange passage. Strangely written. Mysterious.
You see, we have it in the past tense. That’s the best way to recreate the Hebrew. It is written as if it is already accomplished. Finished.
...
The following was delivered at an Easter Tenebrae service, April 2021
At first glance this is a strange passage. Strangely written. Mysterious.
You see, we have it in the past tense. That’s the best way to recreate the Hebrew. It is written as if it is already accomplished. Finished.
...
The Great South Land of the Holy Spirit?
In prayers, songs, sermons and conversations many Christians in Australia like to draw comfort and inspiration from the suggestion that we are ‘The Great South land of the Holy Spirit.’
Here's the story. ...
Here's the story. ...
Psalm 125
Safe and Secure
The theme of the previous Psalm, 124, is “if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us the enemy would have overtaken us we would have been destroyed.” But Yahweh was on our side. ...
The theme of the previous Psalm, 124, is “if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us the enemy would have overtaken us we would have been destroyed.” But Yahweh was on our side. ...
The Eliakim Syndrome
Isaiah 22:14-25
The story begins with Shebna, the chief steward of the palace in Jerusalem. At the time, Jerusalem was a city unravelling despite its tremendous wealth.
Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots (weaponry). (Isaiah 2:7) ...
The story begins with Shebna, the chief steward of the palace in Jerusalem. At the time, Jerusalem was a city unravelling despite its tremendous wealth.
Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots (weaponry). (Isaiah 2:7) ...
Psalm 124
If the Lord had not been on our side
How many experiences of life can you bring under the umbrella of David’s words, ‘If the Lord had not been on our side’?
There is probably no greater gift we can pass across the generations than sentences beginning with these words. From parents to their children. From grandparents to their grandchildren. ...
How many experiences of life can you bring under the umbrella of David’s words, ‘If the Lord had not been on our side’?
There is probably no greater gift we can pass across the generations than sentences beginning with these words. From parents to their children. From grandparents to their grandchildren. ...
Psalm 123
When ridicule bites
What I like about these Songs of Ascents, Psalms 120 to 134, is that people actually sang them on their way to Jerusalem. The things they saw and experienced and all their emotions are contained in this little songbook within the songbook that we call Psalms.
In Psalm 121 the writer posed the question as to whether or not to should lift up his or her eyes to the hills for help. ...
What I like about these Songs of Ascents, Psalms 120 to 134, is that people actually sang them on their way to Jerusalem. The things they saw and experienced and all their emotions are contained in this little songbook within the songbook that we call Psalms.
In Psalm 121 the writer posed the question as to whether or not to should lift up his or her eyes to the hills for help. ...
1 Peter 1:1-2
The antidote to meaninglessness
There are two extreme worldviews. Polar opposites. Here’s one:
A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation."
They are the words of Stephen Crane, an American civil war author and poet. ...
There are two extreme worldviews. Polar opposites. Here’s one:
A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation."
They are the words of Stephen Crane, an American civil war author and poet. ...
Habakkuk, meet Australia
How his fears and hopes touch us today
In Habakkuk we have a man whose world was collapsing around him. He saw corruption among the people of God who had all the sacrifices and religious rituals in place and yet who failed to walk in God's ways in their individual and corporate lives. Along with this he felt the winds of war as the Babylonians emerged onto the world stage as a brutal and rapacious conquering force. ...
In Habakkuk we have a man whose world was collapsing around him. He saw corruption among the people of God who had all the sacrifices and religious rituals in place and yet who failed to walk in God's ways in their individual and corporate lives. Along with this he felt the winds of war as the Babylonians emerged onto the world stage as a brutal and rapacious conquering force. ...
Psalm 122
Even in imposed isolation
The people who sang Psalm 122 were pilgrims on a journey, from wherever they lived to Jerusalem for the great annual festivals. They sang this song on the way to keep their spirits up despite the harsh terrain. But what does it have to do with us? What is its message for us on our earthly pilgrimage, especially now when we can’t go anywhere or meet? ...
The people who sang Psalm 122 were pilgrims on a journey, from wherever they lived to Jerusalem for the great annual festivals. They sang this song on the way to keep their spirits up despite the harsh terrain. But what does it have to do with us? What is its message for us on our earthly pilgrimage, especially now when we can’t go anywhere or meet? ...
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