“So Jacob was left alone. A man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.” Genesis 32:24 From Dust We Came Wrestled – What isn’t obvious in English is the origin of the Hebrew verb, “to wrestle”. But we need to know about its background to see the symbolism in this event. “Wrestling” comes from…
“Sarah laughed to herself saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”” Genesis 18:12 God’s Reminders Laugh – God changes Jacob’s name. The new name, Israel, is a reminder of an encounter with the Holy One. But Jacob wasn’t the first. Years before, Jacob’s grandmother received a name…
“Jacob named the place Peniel, “Because I have seen God face-to-face, and yet my life has been preserved.” Genesis 32:30 Life in the Gaps Peniel – When Jacob named geography, the name carried a significant meaning for him. Bethel, the site of his famous dream about a stairway to heaven, means “the house of God”. …
“for He is the living God and endures forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.” Daniel 6:26 The Kingdom of God Dominion – We live in a world of practical atheism. Many proclaim the reign of God, but live as though He has nothing to…
“While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven saying, “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you.” Daniel 4:31 Recognizing and Honoring Authority Sovereignty – The book of Daniel is the story about a great man of faith, a great king and a greater God. …
“for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” Matthew 7:29 Authority By Inspiration Authority – Jesus was a remarkable teacher. He did not merely communicate information. When you sat under his tutelage, you learned more than percepts and propositions. You became witnesses of calling. When Jesus taught, his words…
“And coming up Jesus talked with them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” Matthew 28:18 Authority By Invitation Authority – The Great Commission, found in the very next verse, is not comprehensible unless we first settle the issue of authority. That’s why Jesus precedes his instruction about discipleship…
“and you shall be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy and have set you apart from the nations to become Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 The Call To Be Like God Holy – When we shift our attention from the first occurrence of “holy” in this verse to the second, the verb remains the…
“and you shall be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy and have set you apart from the nations to become Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 Family Resemblance Holy – If holiness means separation and consecration, does that mean that Christians are to retreat from the common into the sacred world? If God wants us…
“and you shall be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy and have set you apart from the nations to become Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 Family Resemblance in Holiness Holy – It’s not about morality. The word qadash is exemplified best in Numbers 16:38. The story makes it clear. Holiness is about separation. Our…
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