April 17, 2024
Hebrews 9:1-10 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In […]
No Comments » | Biblical Texts, Uncategorized | Tagged: Altar of Incense, Assembly, Church, Ecclesiology, Heaven, Manna, Priesthood, Sanctuary, Tabernacle, Wilderness, Worship | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 21, 2024
In the Wilderness with Israel Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for […]
No Comments » | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Apostacy, Faith, Hebrews, Scripture, Soteriology, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 26, 2023
Texts: Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:1-2a, Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 4:13-17 Days 33-36 in Around the Bible in Eighty Days. Israel needed a do-over. Humanity needed a do-over. The Messiah comes to recapitulate the story of humanity through the story of Israel. This lesson is the beginning of the Messiah’s participation in the story of Israel in […]
No Comments » | Theodrama | Tagged: Baptism, Isaiah 61, Israel, Messiah, Ministry, Nazareth Manifesto, Red Sea, Reed Sea, Temptations, Trials, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
June 19, 2015
Mount Sinai must have been an impressive, even startling, sight. Enveloped in darkness with flashes of lightning, Israel heard the thunder and even, on one occasion, the voice of God. They felt the rumblings of God’s presence in tremors that rippled through the earth’s crust. This was Yahweh’s holy mountain. Yahweh descended upon it, and […]
2 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Advent, Exodus 40, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Messiah, Pentecost, Tabernacle, Temple, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 26, 2013
God tests Jesus in the wilderness and Satan tempts him to satisfy his desires by inappropriate means. One need is hunger. It would seem that satisfying hunger should not be characterized as inappropriate. Food is a created good to be enjoyed. The Slanderer (Diabolos) suggests that Jesus should create his own food. If he really […]
3 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Bible-Luke, Communion, Fasting, Feasting, Jesus, Lent, Luke 4:3-4, Mission, Temptation, Testing, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 6, 2013
As the last in the list of nations and the major focus of Amos’s ministry, Israel receives the most attention. In Amos 2:6-8 the prophet identified the reasons why Israel (the northern kingdom) will go into exile. They will suffer for their sins. They abused the innocent and poor, pursued sexual immorality, and approached God […]
1 Comment | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 2:9-16, Conquest, Exodus, Judgment, Nazirite, Prophets, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
August 30, 2011
Sink or swim? Sound familiar? Some learned to swim by a parent throwing them into the pool. Perhaps that is not a good idea, but it appears analogous to what God did with Jesus…or maybe not. Rising from the waters of baptism, Jesus is anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Father affirms him, loves him, […]
2 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Bible-Mark, Deuteronomy 8, Jesus, Mark 1:12-13, Temptation, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks