"Media" used to mean "print media" like books and newspapers, but the world has grown. Today media can also mean radio, television and movies delivered to personal computers, tablets and cell phones. As the world's best selling book of all time the Bible continues to make headlines, both good and bad, across all forms of media. The FFRF attempts to bully public schools (again) while Ken Ham offers those same schools liberty and protection, a California school violates student's first amendment rights, and Florida schools will start classes on religion and the Bible due to a democrat bill.
"Media" used to mean "print media" like books and newspapers, but the world has grown. Today media can also mean radio, television and movies delivered to personal computers, tablets and cell phones. As the world's best selling book of all time the Bible continues to make headlines, both good and bad, across all forms of media. Australia starts a new educational program in public schools to push LGBTQ agenda, the UK is planning to pass a policy demanding all schools "actively promote" the LGBTQ agenda, and DC Comics newest superhero getting a six issue deal is... Jesus! (Kind of.)
"Media" used to mean "print media" like books and newspapers, but the world has grown. Today media can also mean radio, television and movies delivered to personal computers, tablets and cell phones. As the world's best selling book of all time the Bible continues to make headlines, both good and bad, across all forms of media. Gallup poll shows Americans are losing their religion, former heavy metal guitarist returns to Korn to show the rockin' world the true Rock Jesus, and iPhone maker Apple removes a Christian app ministering to the LGBTQ community from their iOS store.
I read a lot of murder mysteries, and among the most common motives for murder is jealousy. It makes people ugly and can lead to even worse actions. This is how jealousy is presented most of the time, from novels to daytime dramas, but there is another definition for jealousy and it's a positive one. Imagine a jealousy that strives to vigilantly watch over a beloved one, to protect them from unfaithfulness and a passionate zeal for the object of his love. This second definition is the one behind the name El Kanna (also El Kanno) in the Old Testament.
To understand Jonah requires understanding some of the history of his time. The Assyrian empire formed circa 1100 b.c. and began a military empowered expansion program a couple centuries later. During Jonah’s lifetime, the Assyrians had enveloped many Syrian and Palestinian territories and had become the greatest world power. Even the Northern Kingdom paid duties to Assyria, causing a hatred of Assyrians by Jews that surpasses any good sports rivalry today. Running a close second in military power and Semitic hatred were the Babylonians, who would some centuries later conquer Assyria and lead the Southern Kingdom into captivity.
The story of Obadiah begins more than a millennia earlier, in the womb of a woman named Rebekah (Genesis 25.24-26), and finds the fruition of its prophecy almost a couple hundred years later by the hands of Rome (70 AD). What appears on the surface of this, the shortest book in the Old Testament (all of 21 verses), is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. One has to dig a little deeper to uncover the rich history and incredible fulfillment of prophecy which this narrative rests atop. It is a story twelve hundred years in the making.
At this point in Israel’s history she could be compared to America in the 1980’s. Powerful, capable rulers lead both the Northern and Southern kingdoms into times of prosperity and great wealth. Judah’s influence of power spread as far as Egypt, and Israel had extended her borders just far enough north to control the major trade routes. Expensive homes were built to accommodate the new wealth. Morality, however, declined rapidly. The people’s private lives were bereft of spirituality despite a strong religious sense. Both kingdoms honored God through sacrifice, but their hearts and daily practices were far removed from Him.
"Media" used to mean "print media" like books and newspapers, but the world has grown. Today media can also mean radio, television and movies delivered to personal computers, tablets and cell phones. As the world's best selling book of all time the Bible continues to make headlines, both good and bad, across all forms of media. Iranian refugees in Turkey are turning to Jesus in unprecedented droves, Austria celebrates the 200th anniversary of a national song that has become a beloved Christmas carol the world over, and a stolen pocket Bible from the 1800's finds its way home for Christmas.
On January 3, hours after becoming House Speaker, congresswoman Nancy Pelosi expressed her view about building a border wall, "The wall is, in my view, immoral..." I'd like to know what her moral standard is because, although she is Catholic, it is not the Bible. Ever since King David built a wall around Jerusalem (a wall that Nehemiah rebuilt at God's leading), walls have been important to the nation of Israel. Even today, Israel walls off parts of their border with Egypt and around some Palestinian communities to keep terrorists at bay. Israel has known from its beginning that walls work.
King David was no stranger to surprising circumstances. On multiple occasions he found himself either on the run, or warring against surrounding nations. Feeling like the sword of Damocles was waiting to drop on him, it appeared from his perspective that God was no where to be found. Most of us have been there. Probably not running from those who want to murder us our dealing with a national crises, but we've had relationships that fail, declining health, or situations at work that threaten our career. We find ourselves in situations beyond our control and feel helpless as a result.
As 2018 comes to a close we at Think-Biblically.com pause to reflect on the way God has blessed us, and how we can do better in the future. This year we had our 5th birthday and celebrated over 800 posts on the website. When examining the metrics for the year, we learned some valuable lessons and a little bit more about our gentle readers. For example, the 6th most read post isn't even a post, it's our statement of faith. That tells me that our audience is savy who make sure that what they read agrees with the Word of God.
The author of Joel is a literal enigma; we've no information about him except his very common Hebrew name and his father's name, which was either Pethuel (Hebrew manuscripts) or Bethuel (the Septuagint). Joel didn't provide us any clues, either. Most prophets date their prophecy by kings or major historical events, but not Joel/ The few events he does describe — such as a locust plague, are common enough as to be unhelpful. This has caused a great many theories about when the book was written — theories spanning over 200 years of history! 830 BC? 760 BC? 595 BC? No one knows for certain.
