Picture a young girl, fresh with innocence and purity. That is the image that comes to our minds every time we read the account of Mary’s interaction with the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26–38). How did she come to be such a person?
Years of preparation
Yes, we believe that divine guidance must …
Mary’s willing response Read More »
The book does not identify the author. According to Jewish tradition the author was Samuel, and there is a suggestion that the author could be Solomon due to the lineage in the last chapter which ends with David. Therefore when the book of Ruth was completed David had already been appointed King…
The authorship and time of writing Read More »
In an amazing rise from poverty and obscurity to wealth and fame Esther found herself queen of the Persian Empire. But no sooner was she crowned than she was suddenly plunged into a world of political turmoil which threatened to engulf her and God’s beloved people, the Jews.
A new way of life
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The Passover had occurred just days ago and such a Passover as had never been before because the one and only true lamb had been slain for the sin of the world to take away its tragic consequences.
John had proclaimed Jesus to be the “Lamb of God”, but John was dead and the disciple…
Walking With the Lord Jesus – Luke 24 Read More »
There was in the days of Elisha a certain widow whose circumstances had brought her to cry for help. She was the widow of one whose life had been expended in the service of the God of Israel; he was of the sons of the prophets. Their life had always been hard. We have been given a few glimpses i…
What Do You Have in the House? 2 Kings 4:1–7 Read More »
The road was dusty. Peninnah’s words were like little skewers in Hannah’s heart. It was as if she grabbed the knobby end and twiddled it just to make sure Hannah felt the point. Elkanah was a dear and tried his best to comfort her but he was a man and couldn’t possibly understand what …
While Paul makes a number of strong statements about the work of sisters in his writings, there can be no question that he respected, loved and honoured them and prized their many contributions to ecclesial life, for their names occur all through the brief report of his life that Luke has given …
Mother, Daughter and Son Read More »
If one were to ask which woman in the Bible had the most words spoken to her by an angel, Hagar may not even be considered yet she is at the top of the list! So we may ask why would this be? Why should an Egyptian woman receive such favour of Yahweh? Let us see what the record has to tell us…
Hagar the Privileged Egyptian Read More »
I have recently been greatly encouraged, whilst reading Principles and Proverbs by Brother Islip Collyer, and in particular by the chapter titled ‘Blessing,’ and I quote a paragraph that I felt we could all benefit and be encouraged by.
“The patriarch Jacob illustrated the truth of th…
Jacob and Deborah, Rebekah’s Nurse Read More »
Rahab the Faithful? Surely it sounds rather too stretched to describe her in this way? Perhaps she is a woman we tend to shun because of the unsavoury title that Scripture ascribes to her. Her first mention in the record is of the spies lodging at “an harlot’s house, named Rahab” (Josh…
Rahab The Faithful (1) Read More »
