The Strategy of Abandonment

2 Corinthians 2:1 “I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you” (NIV). Observation: Much of 2 Corinthians 1 and the beginning of the second chapter seem to be travelogue. Paul wrote in 1:15 about having tried to arrange his...

Cookie Jar Giving

1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up so when I come no collection will have to be made” (NIV). Observation: Paul’s request was consistent with what he...

Armed to the Teeth

Judges 6:13 “Where are all His wonders?” (NIV). Observation: Israel was living under God’s judgment, having been overrun by the superior, oppressive power of the Midianites. Reduced to living in caves and mountain clefts, Israel watched helplessly as...

The Problem with Restraint

Judges 4:2 “So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan” (NIV). Observation: Ehud delivered Israel from its Moabite enemy. He had personally killed the Moabite king and then led the Israelite army to victory over Moab, ushering in an...

Serving Up Turkeys

Joshua 21:44 “The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them” (NIV). Observation: The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had been in...