Introduction As we study the narratives of Scripture, one of the things we have to learn to watch for are the narratival patterns. And one of those patterns is captured by our expression “hoist on his own petard.” Most take this to be some form of hanging, but a petard was actually a medieval hand …
Ezra Nehemiah 6
Introduction As we have already noted, the parallels between the post-exilic Jews in Jerusalem and our situation are many, and sometimes uncanny. And just like some of our tussles seem to go on and on, so did their legal wrangles go on and on. The Text: Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the …
The Oil of Gladness
The author of Hebrews is seeking to show his Jewish readers that Christ’s supremacy includes supremacy over every angelic being. An undue regard for angels was common among the Jews of this period, and the author of Hebrews is taking care to lift the name of Christ above every name. He accomplishes this through a …
The Glory of Christ
In a very real way, the tragedy of modern worship is that we have become like the Samaritans — we worship what they do not know. The grief of our era is that the Church has fallen into the worship of a tiny Christ. And a good portion of our remedy is to be found …
State of the Church 2006
Introduction One of our customs in Christ Church is to have a “state of the church“ message sometime around the first of the year. There are two slight changes this year. First, this year it is right at the first of the year, and the second difference is that this year we are going to …
Ezra Nehemiah 5
Introduction There are two great elements to the task of rebuilding. The first is the nature of the task itself, an overwhelming task. The second is that the task must be undertaken with a handicap—constant opposition. It is not only that you have to drain the swamp, which would be difficult enough, but that you …
Ezra Nehemiah 3
Introduction We sometimes take the wrong lesson from St. Paul’s warning about endless genealogies. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Tim. 1:4). “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable …
Ezra Nehemiah 2
Introduction: The world is a messy place. Part of the mess for believers is learning to tell the difference between situations that call for martyrdom and situations that call for godly acquiescence. One of the more common set-ups where such wisdom is required is when pagan empires are in control. To what extent are we …
The Whore Becomes a Virgin Bride
The last person we are considering in this series of Bible stories is unique. The others we have treated primarily as individuals. We will do this with Mary Magdalene as well, but we will also spend a good amount of time considering her typological significance. So we will treat Mary, but we will also be …
Ezra Nehemiah 1
Introduction We have before the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which were probably one book originally. Moreover, it is quite possible that Chronicles/Ezra/Nehemiah was original one book. As we work through this together, it would obviously be helpful for you not only to read through these books, but also through the book of Esther, as …