Joshua 9 — Why did the princes of Gibeon choose to make peace with the Children of Israel rather than fight? Every other Canaanite tribe and city-state went to war but not these people. What motivated their decision? Was it because they were weaker than all the rest? Or was it something else? These are…
Luke 11:1-4 — “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray…” In reply to this disciple’s request Jesus gave what we know as the “Lord’s Prayer.” He gave it as part of His Sermon on…
Deuteronomy 23:24-25 — “When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure…” In a law that seems a bit strange to us, the Children of Israel were permitted to eat grapes from any vineyard in the land. They were also permitted to eat grain from any wheat…
Numbers 16 — Korah’s rebellion was a full-blown crisis for Moses, for Aaron and for the whole Nation of Israel. It was especially difficult for Moses because he was the focus of many’s people dissatisfaction and contempt. When we step back an consider what took place, we recognise that Moses led the people through this time…
Luke 10:38-42 — “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things…” What was Martha’s mistake? What prompted Jesus to gently rebuke her when she asked Him to order her sister Mary to help her in the kitchen? That’s the question we seek to answer as we work…
Exodus 23:4-5 — “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.” This command given to Israel in the Law was fairly straightforward, and yet very difficult to obey. It goes right against our fallen human nature to help those who hate us. When…
Leviticus 18:21 — “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” At least four times in the Law, the LORD warned His people against participating in child sacrifice. This was part of the worship of…
Luke 10:25-37 — “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?…” The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known in the New Testament. It has much to teach us about loving our neighbour and overcoming prejudice, but is that really…
Numbers 16:1-35 — The story of Korah’s rebellion is one of the most terrifying in the Bible. The judgment that fell upon him and his fellow conspirators was swift and heavy. It has reverberated down through the centuries and still shocks us today. In this, the first of two sermons on this story, we consider…
Leviticus 19:14 — “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.” In this command we see God’s deep concern for vulnerable people — a concern that is apparent all over the Law. We also see it in His dealings with Israel,…