PSALMS OF ASAPH are featured this week in our Old Testament study. Once again, we find that what appears on the surface to be a–dare we say–relatively ordinary hymn of praise or supplication turns out to be something far more exciting when you actually take the time to read it and start peeling away layers.
We also find hints of the ultimate schism in Israel that created the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. And since Asaph lived through the period of turmoil and intrigue that marked the transfer of power from David to Solomon, we suspect there will be some more hidden gems among his Psalms in the weeks and months ahead. Continue reading
TODAY WE discuss a test of faith most of us hope we never experience: God, in the form of the Angel of Yahweh (another Old Testament Christophany), chose Gideon to lead Israel against the armies of Midian and Amalek, which had been oppressing the Israelites for seven years. Then He ordered Gideon to send home more than 90% of the troops so that the forces of Israel were outnumbered 400-to-1 (instead of just 4-to-1).
WE BEGIN our study of the second of the Historical Books of the Bible. Judges is named for the twelve leaders who were raised up by Yahweh at critical points in Israel’s history from the late 13th century to the mid-11th century B.C., and it chronicles Israel’s slide into apostasy and chaos, showing the need for a godly king to lead them.
