In the previous chapter, messenger after messenger arrives with the disastrous news that Job has been stripped of everything—family, lands, servants and possessions. Job’s response is still to worship God, refuting Satan’s accusation that Job’s faith was conditional on God’s abundant blessings.
Not to be defeated, Satan now ups the ante. He says, “Okay, he didn’t falter when his possessions were taken away, but certainly he will curse you if he has to suffer physical pain.”
Read More pain, silence, compassion
It’s settled—give your tithe (10% as determined elsewhere), do that first and you will have more than you’ll ever need (prosperity, wealth, success etc.).
Well, maybe.
Read More compassion, titheCanadians enjoy the benefit of receiving a generous income tax deduction in return for charitable giving. As a leader of a Canadian charity, I recognize how important this is. But I recall chatting with a peer of mine from a Christian International Development charity in Europe. Their country did not provide tax incentives. When I explained our system he said, “You can’t call that charitable giving.”
Read More compassion, selfishness
Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins so when news of John’s death reached him, Jesus sought some time alone to deal with his grief. To put some distance between himself and the crowds, he got into a boat and headed out on the lake. Not to be put off, the crowds guessed where he would land, ran along the shore on foot, and were waiting for him when he arrived.
Read More compassion, perspective, empathyIf you are a typical reader of the English Bible this is where your resolve is tested. When we decide to read through the Bible the books of Genesis and Exodus to this point make for interesting reading because they contain all kinds of stories about God’s dealings with his people. But when we arrive at Exodus 21 things change and the material can become tedious, and we can get bogged down pretty quickly.
Read More compassion, Scripture, law, slaveryFollowers of Jesus ought to be obvious to everybody. Somewhere in recent years Christians have come to be known for the things we are against rather than what we are for. It is true that we are called to be salt and light and the principles of the kingdom of God will often put Christians in opposition to the principles that move the world. But we are also called to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus.
Read More faith, compassion, salvationLeprosy, the law, and loquaciousness—these are just three of the things Jesus was dealing with in this short six-verse story.
The law strictly prohibited anyone with leprosy approaching anyone else.
Read More compassion, powerThis is the second time in a short period of time, in the recounting of the story by Mark, that the reader meets Jesus feeding an incredible number of people. (I would encourage you to re-read 6:30-44. In fact it is well worth while to sit down with the two texts and mark out all the similarities.)
Read More compassionThis part of the story begins with a ‘buck up’ speech from God! It does not take long for Joshua to find out the truth about what is really going on. The people of God have disobeyed the source of their life and their power. They broke their covenant with God. God has not left them – they have left God.
The tragedy of this story as it unfolds is that people closest to Joshua are just as disobedient as many of the others.
Read More righteousness, grace, judgment, compassionThwack! Thwack! Ominous thuds jerked me awake and propelled me to the window. Something hard, striking something hollow. Then, raging shouts and pleading cries.
I didn’t want to look. I had to look. I did look.
Read More compassion, service, women, emotion