2 Samuel • 2004/5
Even though this continues from 1 Samuel, it is not a franchise rehash. Brand new issues and difficulties! Now that Saul is dead, David does not step into the power vacuum and make himself king. He follows this reasoning: if God wants me to be king, He’s going to have to make me king. And then: if God wants me to stay being king, He’s going to have to keep me as king. This includes dealing with personal failure with Bathsheba, revolt and intrigue with Absalom, and numbering the nation against the will of God. Learn to walk with God from a man after God’s own heart.
Isaiah • 2013/15
Isaiah is the first of the Major Prophets, and an absolute wonder to read.
It is like a treasure cave filled with riches, and at the same time, things hard to understand. On the one hand there is the call to the nation of Israel to repent from departing from God. On the other is the glory of the future blessings for Israel and the whole earth. Chapter 6 shows us the glory of God and the call of Isaiah to a ministry where no one will believe him. Chapter 9 shows us clearly what some religious people deny: that God has a Son, and that God is a Son. We not only believe the prophets, we read them, too! Chapter 11 shows us the name of the Holy Spirit. Why are there six names and not seven? Some people don’t like their theology untidy. Chapter 40 shows us the forerunner of the Messiah. Chapter 53 shows us the Messiah’s sufferings, death, and resurrection. Chapter 54 is powerful consolation for the desolate! Chapter 66 shows us the rule of the Messiah and the eternal punishment for those who deny and reject Him. These scriptures have their fulfilment in the near future. Don’t neglect the prophets! Here’s a way to understand what Isaiah is saying to us today.
1 Samuel • 2004
The coming of Moses resulted in a great outpouring of Scripture, of history, prophecy, worship, and law. There is nothing to equal that until the coming of David four hundred years later. Then comes another great outpouring of Scripture in worship, prophecy, and personal experience in the Spirit found in the Psalms.
But how does the history of David begin? That which results in prophets, kings, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit begins with a barren woman. God’s personal dealing with her makes her a woman after His own heart, to raise up a prophet after His own heart, to anoint a king of Israel after God’s own heart.
As we study 1 Samuel we learn principles by which we also become men and women after God’s own heart.
Mark • 2003/4
Way before I taught these studies I meditated through the Gospel of Mark as a part of my daily devotions. It wasn’t in order to do a Bible study for someone else or meet a deadline. This was to nourish my own soul. I think it took me three years to meditate all the way through it.
When I decided to teach Mark for the church I could refer back to what I learned as I took my time, unhurried, reflecting and praying. This gospel fed me, it fed the church, and when I taught evening services at a traditional Baptist church for a season, it fed them, too.
I’m not trying to blow my own horn. I am saying that the Gospel of Mark is very, very good.
Esther • 2007
How can a book of the Bible not contain the name of God? Is this for real?
Actually, this is true to life. We go through crises and wonder, “Where is God?” The message of Esther is: God is not seen in life, but He is there nonetheless. We examine the details that show unmistakably that God is providing, leading, guiding. Learn to see the God who is unseen.