John Mark Hicks

Texts to Know Exodus 34.1-28 (esp. 8-28)Deuteronomy 5.1-22Matthew 19.16-24Luke 18.18-29Romans 13.8-10 The Book of Exodus continues to follow the narrative logic of the Exodus event. The mighty wonders of Yahweh are related. The enslaved Israelites are set free/saved. Israel is led through the water by God’s Presence in the Cloud. God’s Presence brings them to […]

Texts to Know Deuteronomy 4.32-40Deuteronomy 7.7-9, 12 (NIV)Psalm 67Isaiah 61.1-6Hebrews 12.18-241 Peter 2.9-10 (Structural Note: We need to remember that the Book of Exodus is itself part of a larger Story of the Torah: Genesis to Deuteronomy.  When the freed slaves arrive at Mt. Sinai the narrative slows down. Israel will remain camped at the […]

Exodus “Event” Texts to Know– Deuteronomy 5.12-15, Shabbat rehearses the Hesed story– Psalm 66– Psalm 68– Psalm 114, part of the Egyptian Hallel– Psalm 136.10-26,– Isaiah 63.7-14– 1 Corinthians 10.1-5 Exodus Comes before Sinai,Calvary Comes before Pentecost,Grace Comes before Faith,It always has, it always will. Deliverance, Rescue, Salvation by Hesed “According to the abundance of […]

Bobby ValentineTHESE ARE THE NAMESThe Book of ExodusWoodmont Hills ChurchOutline “Who is like the LORD our God,who is seated on high,who looks downon the heavens and the earth?He raises the poor from the dust,and lifts the need from the ash heap,to make them sit with princes,with the princes of his people.”(Psalm 113.5-7) “When Israel went […]

In Micah 6, the prophet served as Yahweh’s prosecutor calling for witnesses, listening to the accused, and charging the defendants. They are not a people who pursue justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Through economic injustice and violence, the people have now received God’s verdict: invasion and exile. But hope is not lost. Who is like Yahweh? […]

Why “go to church”? Or, better, why participate in the assembly of fellow-believers? Psalm 40 provides a response. We go to tell the story, to proclaim the good news of God’s righteousness, God’s saving work. To rehearse the story of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. We go to present our living sacrifices to the Lord […]

The worshipping assembly of Israel proclaims that they do not trust in military power or national agendas. Instead, it lives by faith in the steadfast love of the Lord. The praise of God on the lips and instruments of God’s people is lovely, fitting, and awesome. Not because of who we are but because of […]

God covers our sin when we don’t cover it up. God takes away our sin even when we are burdened with its guilt. God does not count our sin against us when we confess it. Psalm 32 is the testimony of one who left the path of God and was overwhelmed by the torrents of […]

May one lament and trust at the same time, even in the same moment? Psalm 31 does, and Jesus quotes this Psalm as his last words on the cross. What does trust look like when surrounded by mockers, predators, and living on the verge of death? How does one trust in such circumstances? This is […]

Psalm 21 is a royal Psalm that locates the king’s strength in Yahweh’s steadfast love. Yahweh saves and blesses the king of Israel because the king trusts in the steadfast love of the Lord. Yahweh delivers the king from the enemies of Yahweh and gives him the glory of the Lord’s presence. The Psalm idealizes […]