Did you know that about 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage? That means, you probably know someone who has experienced a miscarriage and baby loss – or maybe, you’ve gone through one. Or more than one. In this podcast, we discuss the difficult topic of miscarriage and baby loss and what that means when you’re a Christian. Miscarriage isn’t an easy thing even though many people have experienced this type of loss and grief. Sadly, miscarriages are common but each person and family experiences it in their own unique way. We might feel a loss of control, fear, confusion, stress, and heartbreak. God’s voice may seem far away during these times. Even as Christians, it can be difficult to know how to pray and care for those grieving losses…
In part 1 of this study, I reviewed the account of Jephthah's life and activities recorded in Judges 10–12. His public career began in faith, but later descended into self-inflicted tragedy. His daughter, meanwhile, is almost overlooked in some commentaries I have reviewed. Admittedly, she is a minor character in the narrative and only brief details are given. But I believe she demonstrated faith in that brief account, and now provides a surprisingly detailed picture of the Lord Jesus Christ in His humanity and sacrifice for sinners. An unexpected picture of Christ Reading again in Judges 11, “Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah. And behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor…
The Judges of Israel In the book of Exodus, God powerfully delivered Israel from oppression in Egypt. In Joshua, we read how He defeated enemies as Israel entered the Promised Land. Israel had repeatedly promised to be faithful to God’s commandments (e.g. Josh. 1:16–18). Would they do so? In Judges, the answer is given twice: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). God brought the people under discipline through foreign oppressors, and when He did, they cried out to Him. God heard their cries and mercifully raised up judges. Some judges acted locally while others had broader assignments. However, a government often reflects the moral character of the governed people. Israel needed judges because they did…
Question: Should Christians visit the cemetery? Answer: I think all of us would attend the funeral of a friend or loved one, so I assume this question is not about that practice. It is customary to attend a funeral ceremony to acknowledge the life of the person who has recently departed. Such a ceremony is a good place to remember the life of the person and to minister a word of encouragement (1 Thess. 4:13, 18) and to remind those attending of the shortness of life and the importance of receiving and serving the Savior (2 Cor. 6:2). Also, I cannot answer for cultures other than my own Western culture. It may be the case that there are cultures where it would be inadvisable for a Christian to visit a…
Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years have no end (vv. 25–27). The Afflicted One Will Appear in His Glory The inscription of this Psalm describes its contents as “A Prayer of the Afflicted.” It is the prayer of one who is “overwhelmed” with affliction. The prayer of verses 1–11 will come from the lips of the future Jewish remnant during the Tribulation; this is its primary interpretation. However, Messiah anticipated this in spirit and entered into it as we see in the…
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13–18 Originally published June 7, 2020 Our previous two posts considered the nature of false witness, the self-deception required to…
Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. -Daniel 9:24 Is the Book of Daniel truly arranged according to chiastic conventions? Scholars have largely accepted the chiastic arrangement of the first half of Daniel, but does a chiastic structure carry on into its second half? Well, let’s hazard the rails and see where they lead. Twist and Shout Daniel’s second chiasm opens with a chapter unlike any other. Chapter 7 is marked out by four distinct qualities that highlight its pivotal role in the Book of Daniel. First, the chapter concludes the first chiasm,…
