It is difficult to escape the feeling that our world is becoming more divided by the day. For example, we are hearing more about political identity. While it has been quite customary to identify with some political party in terms of general policy, the term has now developed a sharper edge. Amy Chua writing in The Guardian newspaper notes: āWhen groups feel threatened, they retreat into tribalism. When groups feel mistreated and disrespected, they close ranks and become more insular, more … [Read more...] about Expressions of Tribalism
Feasts of God
Our Brotherās Keeper
The Day of Atonement focuses on removing Satanās influence, covering sin and restoring a relationship between the Father and mankind, ultimately reaching out to the entire creation. Have we stopped to consider what our role is in this restorative process? Exodus 32 tells the familiar story of Israelās rebellion, worship of the golden calf, and Godās anger. But letās look closely at the reaction of Moses, after God states His intention to destroy the Israelites and offers to make an entire … [Read more...] about Our Brotherās Keeper
Holy Days Pinpoint Priorities
The world has become a decidedly edgy place. There is tension and anxiety in the air. This is particularly observable in the political arena - especially in the realm of international relations. If we look at just one marker ā political elections ā the unease is clearly evident. In reaction to the developing of negative social conditions, there is often a trend to turn to āhard-lineā leadership in the search for remedies. In Europe, and Germany in particular, the current leadership has suffered … [Read more...] about Holy Days Pinpoint Priorities
Glorifying God
After Samuel had been established as a prophet replacing the disgraced Eli, God allowed the Philistines to have a military victory over Israel. The Philistines captured the ark of God. After a lengthy period, King David prepared a place in the City of David to accommodate the ark. As the ark was returned to the tabernacle, David celebrated and wrote a psalm to thank and praise God. In this psalm is the direction that Godās people are to āGive to the Lord the glory due His nameā (1 Chronicles … [Read more...] about Glorifying God
The Garden of Eden
Scholars have long scratched their heads trying to figure out the exact location of the garden God planted eastward in Eden. That it is a physical place is not in doubt. Out of the ground the Eternal made trees grow that were pleasing to the sight and good for food. The garden was watered by a river, which then parted into four rivers. It was into this physical setting that man was placed with the instructions to tend and keep the garden. It must have been a fabulous environment as everything … [Read more...] about The Garden of Eden
The Red Sea and Beyond
When you think about it, the Israelites went through an intense program of redirecting their entire lives through the events of their exodus from Egypt. After a lengthy period of living in Egypt they went from āthe people multiplied and grew very mightyā to āthe Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor.ā The bondage of Egypt was mind destroying ā at least as far as knowledge of God and His way was concerned. Did God cause this grievous situation of slavery to make a point for … [Read more...] about The Red Sea and Beyond
Deleavening ā Physical and Spiritual
It is interesting to note how often God uses physical things to teach us spiritual lessons. In the Passover ceremony, we eat bread and drink a small amount of wineāreal, physical bread and wine. These are consumed as symbols pointing us toward one of the most profound spiritual truths in the Bibleāthe fact that Christ died for our sins. Unleavened Bread is a whole week of being reminded of spiritual principles through physical actions. During the Feast of Tabernacles, we live (physically) in … [Read more...] about Deleavening ā Physical and Spiritual