The symbolism of light and darkness are carried all the way through the Bible. And it is never once suggested that they cohabit. There is always a suggestion of separation. This very first act that God performed on the earth is symbolic of the way we should live.
Jonah features in many books about the Bible. It is an easy story to illustrate, but it is not just a story, it is truth! Jesus confirmed that for us in Matthew 12:40 when He used Jonah inside the fish to illustrate His own future 3 days in the tomb.
Jude opens his short letter by identifying himself. But interestingly he does not give us his full identity! He is the brother of James who also has a letter in the Bible. They both identify themselves as a servants of Jesus. But these two were also half brothers of Jesus.
Little is known of Nehemiah except what we learn from this book bearing his name in the Old Testament. The book is believed to have been dictated by Nehemiah but actually written by Ezra whose book precedes that of Nehemiah. Ezra named Nehemiah as one of the exiles (Ezra 2:2).
There are many different mountains named in the Bible, but this is the first time they are specifically mentioned. Earth in the creation story is not described as mountains and valleys, just land. But God obviously loves variety and we can imagine that the land He created was very varied.
Habakkuk sounds as though he has been listening to our modern day news programmes! He was fed up with the world situation as he saw it, and as he heard about what was happening all around him, so finally he went before The Lord and asked for an explanation.
Many people had followed Jesus around, drawn by His teaching, and hoping to be healed or to see other people healed. Then He chose The Twelve to follow Him in a much closer sense of the word. Not just to go around with Him, but to do what He did.
Esther is the only book of the Bible which never mentions The Lord. But He was obviously part of the story, and like many stories, God has things to teach us through it. The introduction to the book of Esther is letting us know that the king was very rich!
Most of us are suffering from something: sickness, depression, not seeing family, lack of work, too much work, financial restraints, and it is difficult to do as James suggests, counting it all joy! That is generally our last reaction, and is a hard thing to do from day to day.
Today is described as the doorway to the New Year. It seemed like a good idea to look at gates and doors this month. There are many verses in the Bible speaking of entry points to towns, cities or to private homes. This verse is one of the better known.