Today many atheists use Job as an example of Christianity’s supposedly irrational defence of the existence of God in the face of suffering and evil.“Look,” they say, “Job has suffered excruciating loss and pain, and all God can do is point out that he sends snow and he was able to make some animals!”
Read More justice, understandingOnly now does the Lord begin to weave together the loose strands in this book. Of the absolute highest significance is the fact that God controls “Leviathan” (v. 1). Although English translations differ, the word symbolically refers to a great demon/god/power.[1] This being cannot be controlled by humans; it is too powerful to be subdued by the human race.
Read More sovereignty, understanding, Leviathan
Throughout the book of Proverbs the author exhorts us concerning the merits of a life lived with wisdom at the core. In these verses he stops and presents us with examples of how God used wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It might appear obvious that God would use these tools to create the majesty of the mountains, rivers of earth and the far flung reaches of space with its spectacular displays. And of course the complexity of the natural laws and the systems in our human bodies would require immeasurable wisdom and knowledge.
Read More wisdom, knowledge, understanding
How can those who spend the most time in the Scriptures or with Jesus miss God’s point altogether? Take the disciples, for instance. Jesus is giving them another lesson about yeast and bread and, not understanding him, they immediately jump to the conclusion that he must be talking in some oblique way about the bread they had forgotten to take with them.
The problem is that they’ve been missing the point all along the way.
Read More understanding, signsHave you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are given a clue which will direct you to the next clue, which directs you to the next clue until finally, you put it all together and you have discovered a treasure!
This is what we see Jesus doing throughout the Gospels. He gave clues to his identity. Jesus knew his disciples were well acquainted with the Old Testament.
Read More Messiah, understanding, miracles @enThis short story is full of meaning for the reader. Now at sea and heading to the confines of Palestine, the disciples are concerned that they only have one loaf for the thirteen people in the boat. The two incredible multiplications of chapter six and eight have gone right by them. Their actions and attitudes remind Jesus of how religious and political types react to him. For the third time in the Gospel Jesus directly challenges them (see 4:13 and 7:18).
Read More signs, understanding, miracles @enThroughout Jesus’ life and ministry he asked questions he already knew the answer to. He did it again when he asked Philip where they would get enough food to feed the crowds that were coming upon them.
The Bible says it was a test.
Read More understanding, divinityThe disciples had just experienced something incredible. Five thousand people fed with only a small lunch. I believe that miracle was more about showing the identity of Jesus than anything else. What the crowds and the disciples saw Jesus do began to inform their belief about who he really is.
It’s one thing to believe Jesus is from God. It’s another thing entirely to believe he is God.
Read More miracle, Son of God, understandingMany of us have heard and tried to practise the proverb, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” We like when things fit neatly and nicely in their place. We shy away from obscurity and ambiguity and so when Jesus enters a room, or a culture, a life or our world it can be unsettling. Jesus has a tendency to colour outside of the lines, to live, move and think outside of our categorical boxes. He won’t even stay buried when he’s been crucified!
Read More confusion, understanding, ambiguityWeeping is part of life, common to all of us. We shed tears when a loved one or friend passes away. We may cry when we take our youngest child to kindergarten on the first day of school. We feel sad when we say farewell to a close friend that we will not see again for some time. Weeping is often an appropriate response to the difficulties and separations we experience in life.
Read More joy, understanding, tears