2 Samuel 24: Why was it wrong for David to take a census?
The account is found in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24. In summary, David ordered that a census of fighting men be taken. This was against the counsel of Joab, the captain of his army, and we quickly learn it was an act not directed by God causing God to become very angry. God sends a death [...]
What was Jacob's name changed to?
Jacob's name was changed to Israel, meaning "let God prevail." See Genesis 32:22-32.
What was the name of that man who helped Jesus lift the cross?
Mark 15:21 gives us the answer: (NIV) "A certain main from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." Can we imagine what a privilege it was for him to carry our Redeemer’s cross? Would you or I have [...]
To what extent is the marriage of Hosea to Gomer an illustration of the relationship between God and Israel?
We know that before the Gospel was opened and preached to the Gentiles (Cornelius being the first Gentile convert - Acts 10), Israel was the chosen nation by God, and he worked and dealt only with them.Amos 3:2 “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth..."Everything that happened to them was [...]
What does the parable of the sower mean?
Jesus spoke in many parables. A parable is a story that teaches a lesson. Here’s what he said: (Matthew 13:3-9, NIV) “...A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where [...]
If man was created 6,000 years ago, why should we believe the earth is billions of years old? Is this what evolution teaches? If the dinosaurs died out before man Adam and Eve sinned, why would God call these early creative days “very good”? How does this harmonize with the Bible teaching that by one man death was brought on the earth and by one man death was conquered?
Genesis opens with the universe and our earth already created. Genesis chapter 1 is told from the point of view of God looking at the earth and beginning its specific creative works including mankind. Genesis 2 continues from the point of view of Adam, looking out in the expanse of the universe and what was [...]