Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
A Troublemaker Leads to Downfall We know nothing about Gaal except what appears in this passage in the book of Judges. Though the text often mentions him as the son of Ebed, Scripture tells us nothing about his father either. What we do know is that Gaal moves with his family to the town of […]
We Are the Clay The Bible contains many word pictures that help us to understand better our relationship with God. I have eight of them that I will share in the coming days. Note that each offers but a partial picture into God’s character and none is all-encompassing, but they are highly illustrative. Here is […]
The widow of one of Elisha’s followers comes to him for help. Her husband left her with an outstanding debt, Since she has no means to pay off the debt, the creditor demands her two sons become his slaves. Elisha asks what resources she has. “Nothing,” she replies, “except for a small jar of olive […]
Pete’s Powerful Sermon The first sermon in the book of Acts: Acts 2:1-41 (specifically Acts 2:14-36). Setting: Jerusalem on Pentecost Speaker: Peter Audience: Jews from many nations Preceding Events: The Holy Spirit arrives and empowers the disciples to speak in other languages. Unable to comprehend what is happening, some in the crowd conclude that the […]
Jotham Curses Abimelek and Runs Away When Abimelek returns home to murder his seventy brothers, only Jotham (1), the youngest one, survives. He hides to escape execution. When Jotham learns the people of Shechem have made his half-brother their king, he climbs a mountain. From this lofty position, he shouts to them. He shares a […]
Six Men Each Have a Different Experience When They Encounter an Elephant Consider the fable of six blind men encountering an elephant for the first time.They have no comprehension of what an elephant is, forming their own understanding based on touch: Yes, an elephant is like a wall, a tree, a spear, a rope, a […]
Worship and Revere The Bible says we are to fear God. But what does that really mean? I don’t think it implies God is malevolent or waiting for us to mess up so he can zap us, which would be legitimate reasons to fear him. Instead, God is benevolent and wants good things for us; […]
Jesus Must Return to Heaven before the Holy Spirit Can Come Ascension Day occurs forty days after Resurrection Sunday (more commonly called Easter). Here is some background. Jesus Comes to Earth Jesus comes to earth as a man to save us. He dies on the cross as a sacrificial sin offering, dying in our place. […]
A Legacy of Evil Abimelek (2) is the son of Gideon (also called Jerub-Baal). The Bible first lists his mother as Gideon’s concubine and later as his slave. Either way, the boy has a less-than-ideal start to life. But this does not excuse his behavior as an adult. He could have risen above the circumstances […]
Should We Vote to Pick Our Church Leaders? Today’s passage: Acts 1:21–26 Focus verse: “Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” (Acts 1:24–25) After Peter quotes these two passages from Psalms, he moves directly to make his point. He […]