The Bible in Context
Translation challenges occur throughout the Bible, but numbers in the Old Testament present us with a special challenge. In Exodus 12:37 the ESV says that Israel consisted of about 600,000 men. Since we’re not given the number of women and children, there’s no way to be certain about the total population. A popular guess gives … Read more
Where do you expect to find God? What earthly location would God visit? The prophet Isaiah gives us a surprising answer. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah focus on divine judgment, but chapter 40 begins with these words: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem” (vv.1-2a). Why? Because the time of … Read more
Slavery in the Old Testament poses a difficult challenge for Bible teachers. Granted slavery in the New Testament is a difficult issue as well, which I have written about here and here. But in some ways slavery in the Old Testament is a greater problem. In New Testament times, Christians could be found throughout the polytheistic, … Read more
The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac is disturbing. While Abraham didn’t go through with it, he almost did, and he did so out of obedience to God’s command. So how should we teach this difficult story in Genesis 22? Here are four things to keep in mind when teaching the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. … Read more
What do you do when you are faced with a Bible difficulty—something that seems like a discrepancy? Do you ignore it or wrestle with it? The Patriarchs and God’s Name: A Problem Have you noticed the problem in Exodus 6:3? God says to Moses, “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God … Read more