John Mark Hicks

Hosea, as Yahweh’s prophet, takes on the role of a prosecutor. He serves the indictment against Israel in Hosea 4:1. There is no faithfulness, love, or intimacy with God in the land. The next message from Hosea (5:1-15) renders a verdict. Verdict Announced Hosea delivers the verdict to the leaders of Israel and reminds them […]

“If you test me, you will find no wickedness in me.” (Psalm 17:3) That is a rather disturbing statement for many. Can I pray that prayer? That is the invitation of Psalm 17. It calls us into a way of integrity and faithfulness as we seek refuge in the Lord, and we seek the Lord […]

Though Israel walks through troubles threatened by gods, kings of the earth, and enemies, Yahweh is loving and faithful. Consequently, Israel confesses the name of Yahweh before the gods, gives thanks for Yahweh’s grace and deliverance, and walks confidently in the way of the Lord despite its troubles. One day all the kings of the […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss one of the most important Psalms in Judaism. It is prayed three times a day by devout worshippers. It is a grand picture of God’s mighty works rooted in the divine identity as gracious, merciful, and ever present steadfast love. It is the praise song that concludes the […]

Paul makes ministry decisions according to the grace of God grounded in the faithfulness of God rather than according to fleshly or human wisdom rooted in self-interest and egoism. His goal is not to attain celebrity status within Greco-Roman culture but to embody God’s faithfulness for the sake of others. Given Paul’s relationship with the […]

It is an amazing circumstance. Judah is unfaithful but God remains faithful. The whole story of Israel (“from the days of your fathers”) is a history of failed covenant-keeping.  Time and time again Israel failed to keep the Torah. In other words, the description of Judah’s systemic ethical problems in Malachi 3:5 is not exceptional […]

[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] Though neither bounded nor contained by the […]