The two wives mentioned at the beginning of the books of Samuel did not get on together. Today the underdog would run away and make a new life somewhere. In Biblical times there was no possibility of that and Hannah turned to the only One who could help her. God!
Another example of a prophet naming his child with a message from The Lord. And what an awful name it is! I imagine this poor child looking constantly miserable! She must have been a sad child. Unless of course she was aware of the love of God for her personally.
The name Isaiah was to give his child was a message to the Israelites. Quick to plunder, swift to spoil. The natural view of the situation was to panic, and worry about war and everything that went with it. But God was reassuring His people that He was still there.
We know very little about this first family on earth, except that one of the first two brothers killed the other! The devil had not given up on being a bad influence of mankind! That is still the case! Brothers are still killing brothers in many parts of the world.
We start this month with the words of the prophet about the most famous baby ever born. Even people who do not follow Jesus will be celebrating His birth this month. It is sad that in many places, this month has become one when Santa is celebrated more than Jesus!
Not one thing happens by chance when we obey The Lord! Philip explained the gospel to this man, and consequently he was baptised into the kingdom of God. It is worth noting here that this Ethiopian did not follow a course of several weeks before being allowed to be baptised.
Much of the book of Jeremiah is a severe reprimand to the people of Israel for their behaviour in neglecting the God of their fathers, and being influenced far too much by the people around them; the nations that they were supposed to have chased out of the holy land!
This chapter which tells us of the occasion when Moses and Elijah turned up on top of a mountain to have a chat with Jesus brings several questions into my mind. Why did Jesus only take three of His closest disciples? What did He want them to see that day?
David, the writer of this psalm, understood that God would bring Victory to His faithful ones who trust in Him. David had learned very early on in His life that God could be depended on to protect the innocent. He learned that in the sheep fields when he was young.
This suddenly is one of the most well known and preached about in our churches. What we do not hear so much is that it was not just the disciples and close friends of Jesus who experienced this world changing day. But the whole town! Everyone heard what was said.
EN
FR