A Bible Study Blog
Imagine if you were the beetle in the picture above.
What circumstances would cause you to cling even tighter to the plant?
If the weather is mild, there would be no reason to cling even tighter to the plant.
But what if the weather was hazardous?
Or if another animal appeared to challenge you?
How does this relate to Jacob’s situation in Genesis 32:22-32?
Continue reading “Clinging Tightly to God”
What is your first thought when you think about fuel?
Gasoline or electricity is a typical fuel that enables vehicles to get us from point to point.
Wood is an excellent fuel for a campfire.
Physically, we use food as fuel to nourish and sustain our bodies.
But there are other fuels to consider.
For example, Exodus 12:27 ends with the phrase, “And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.”
What fueled this worship response?
Continue reading “Fueling the Worship Response”
I’m back!
In Why Do People Worship God? | Exodus 4:31 | Part One, we considered the primary and secondary definitions of both the word worship and God using Merriam-Webster.com.
We then reviewed how the stage was set in Genesis 15:12-14 and how the plot developed from Genesis 41:41-43 through Exodus 4:17 before the people in Exodus 4:31 responded to the news Moses and Aaron presented to them by worshipping God.
Today, we will continue our study of Exodus 4, seeking to gain insight into why people worship God.
Continue reading “Why Do People Worship God? |Exodus 4:31 | Part Two”
Answering the question of why people worship God seems both simple and complex.
The primary definition of worship is to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power.
But this definition implies that there are multiple potential divine beings or supernatural powers to choose from.
Further, the secondary definition reveals that worship may be directed toward other humans or physical objects.
The primary definition of God, according to Merriam-Webster.com, is the supreme or ultimate reality who is perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness and the creator ruler of the universe.
Yet, secondary definitions mention god as a being or object that has more than natural attributes and powers, one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality, a person or thing of supreme value, or a powerful ruler.
How can Exodus 4:31 help us unravel this simple yet complex question of why people worship God?
Continue reading “Why Do People Worship God? |Exodus 4:31 | Part One”
Genesis 24 is more than a simple story of how Isaac and Rebekah become husband and wife.
In fact, a significant portion of the chapter centers on Abraham’s servant.
Back in Genesis 15:2, before Isaac was born, we learn the name of Abraham’s chief servant is Eliezer. Abraham expresses to God his concern that he remains childless. As long as this continued, Eliezer would inherit Abraham’s estate.
Yet, Abraham did not remain childless. He received a child through his wife Sarah in their old age.
Following the death of Sarah, Abraham requests Eliezer take a special assignment.
What can we learn from Abraham’s chief servant about honoring God through worship?
Continue reading “Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48”
One member of my book club recently brought some dessert to share with the group.
She wrapped each piece of cake individually and brought her own metal forks to share with us.
After she had passed them out but had not picked up her own fork, one of us teasingly asked, “Do we need to wait to eat our piece until you have picked up your fork?”
With a glint in her eye, she quickly picked up her fork so we could enjoy the yummy treat.
What does this cultural practice of waiting for the hostess to pick up her fork before the guests can begin eating have to do with 1 Corinthians 11:17-34?
Continue reading “1 Corinthians 11:17-34 | Whose Instructions Do You Follow?”
What first leaps to mind when you think of worship?
Merriam-Webster.com defines worship first as offering reverence to a divine being or supernatural power.
We can express this reverence through a worship service where praises, hymns, thanksgiving, teachings, and prayers are offered to a divine being or supernatural power in a group setting.
We can also worship in smaller group settings or individually.
A secondary definition reminds us we can worship any person or object we choose to offer extravagant respect, admiration, or devotion toward.
Consider the following examples Merriam-Webster.com used to illustrate this secondary definition.
What does this have to do with respecting God through worship and Genesis 22:5?
Continue reading “Respecting God Through Worship | Genesis 22:5”
Discussing the weather is generally considered a safe subject.
But severe weather is another matter entirely.
Severe weather requires both humans and wildlife to seek protective shelter.
Sometimes severe weather takes us by surprise, giving us little time to find protection.
At other times, we can prepare a refuge ahead of the severe weather.
What is the purpose of severe weather, according to Job 37:5-8?
Continue reading “He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8”
Recently my daily Bible reading practice brought me to the book of Job.
This Old Testament book deals with suffering.
We all experience suffering. Some more than others.
What is striking in this book is the steadfastness of Job’s faith in God throughout his immense suffering.
How could Job refrain from turning away from God in the face of significant loss? Even as friends and family, encouraged him to curse God or confess a sin he had not committed?
The opening verses are key in answering this question.
Continue reading “Job 1:1-5 |Thus Job Did Continually”
David, a lowly shepherd boy anointed King of Israel, experienced great highs and terrible lows in his lifetime.
He is the accredited author of Psalm 139, typically titled, Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart.
This title literally comes from the next-to-last verse of the Psalm where David is asking the Lord to monitor his motives.
Yet the verses prior to this request reveal the magnitude of who God is and how well He already knows David, and thus, us today.
Continue reading “Psalm 139 | How Well Do You Know God?”