When the prophet tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”, the truth he speaks is from of old, arising from the very first sin and the fall of man. Yet, many people don’t believe this about the human condition. They choose to…
Posts Tagged: Israel
Genesis 35:9-11 & Matthew 11:20-24 – Which God?
There’s a deep connection between Genesis 35:9-11 and Matthew 11:20-24. In Genesis we read: “God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name…
Matthew 10:25 – Rejecting Jesus
Upon Jesus calling His disciples, He soon sends them out to the towns and cities of Israel so as to gather her “lost sheep” (Matthew 10:6). He instructs the men to proclaim the Good News by telling everyone that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). Jesus gives them the power and authority…
Genesis 28:8-9 – Rebellion’s Legacy
In today’s reading, along with several prior passages, we see the root of the everlasting animosity between the Jews and Arabs. Jacob with the help of his mother Rebekah deceived his father Isaac to receive the first-son blessings in place of his brother Esau (Genesis 27:36). Previously Jacob had negotiated with Esau and stolen his…
Genesis 25:20,26 – Waiting
We live in a “now” world. Because of modern technologies and the conveniences we’ve become accustomed to in the so-called civilized world, if we’re not instantly gratified, that leaves us unhappy and grumbling. Our attention spans have grown increasingly shorter, and our patience wears thin if we have to wait more than a couple minutes…
Genesis 24:6,8 – Old Life Before Christ
There are many principles that God illustrates to us through the lives and actions of the people who populate the Old Testament. In Genesis 24:6,8 we see one of these principles enacted through Abraham’s servant Eliezer when Abraham sent him to the place of his extended family in Ur to seek a wife for his…