I’ve met people who travel on the “get rich quick” highway of life. They apply a considerable amount of energy in circumventing the system—eagerly looking for shortcuts to success. I often wonder what would happen if they applied the same energy to an honest work ethic. My hunch is they would be more successful than they imagine.

These types of people often fall prey to Ponzi schemes, fraud and extortion as they trade wisdom and common sense for cheap advice and get-rich-quick schemes

At the time when Jesus was born Palestine was part of the Roman Empire, and ruled by Herod the Great. Herod was an Edomite, and considered himself a Jew, but his commitment was disputed by the Jewish leaders, partly on the grounds of his lifestyle. It’s possible that Herod had up to ten wives and over 15 children at the time.

This account of the 12-year-old Jesus is not found in any of the other gospels. In the story we see Mary and Joseph’s commitment to their faith as they went to Jerusalem for the Passover every year. Though this was required of every Jew, few could afford the finances and time to make the trip.

According to the Mishnah, the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism, Jesus’ religious instruction would have become more intense at the age of 12.

John the Baptist was both the fulfillment of prophecy (v 3) and a prophet himself (v 11). His attire, diet and lifestyle link him to Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and his words to the Pharisees and Sadducees, – “You bunch of Snakes!,”” – link him to Jesus (Matthew 23:33).

John’s call to repentance was heard and heeded by many.

The superscription to this Psalm tells us the context in which ancient Israel believed the song was composed. David “wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, ‘David has gone to Ahimelech’s house.’”

We can read that terrible story in 1 Samuel 21-22.