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Confusion characterizes those who don’t know whose they are.   In 2005 W. Bradford Wilcox wrote an insightful article about donor conception for The Weekly Standard called “Who’s Your Daddy? (There’s more to fatherhood than donating DNA)” where he associates confusion with fatherlessness: But there are good reasons to worry about this latest manifestation of fatherlessness. Listening directly to the voices of donor-conceived children should give us... Read More

Good government sounds like an oxymoron.  Since the Fall men have sought unsuccessfully to govern themselves. Everything created by fallen man, including systems of government, is tainted with sin (pride, selfishness, greed, prejudices, etc.). Human governments promise lift without redemption, justice without covenant, and end up exploiting the masses while enriching those who govern. Power always attracts exploitation.  Therefore, good governance must come from outside of... Read More

The land of Canaan provides the womb in which the patriarchs of Israel were born while Egypt provides an incubator, physically, morally, and racially, for the newborn nation to grow. Noted theologian Paul Benware describes this Egyptian incubator: “First, it protected Israel physically . Although the Egyptian army was unaware of it, they were guarding Israel against countless kings and robber bands that could have wiped out this young nation in a matter of hours. Second, Egypt... Read More

God is for women. Period. Throughout Leviticus God gives Moses rules that reveal His care for and protection of women.  Chapter twelve, verses 1-8 highlight the regulations regarding childbirth. If a woman has a son, she must undergo a time of purification that lasts forty days. If a woman has a daughter, that time is doubled. The days of purification permit physical healing and require sexual abstinence; therefore, the husband must practice self-control during this time. Certainly,... Read More

God embeds Himself within the community of Israel through the Tent of Meeting. And, like the hub of a wheel, the Tent of Meeting is located at the very center of Hebrew life. God with us.  The Tent of Meeting accomplishes four tasks:  The design for the Tent of Meeting is revealed to Moses from heaven and dispenses a link to the eternal counsel of God. All religions are man’s futile attempts to ascend to God. The God of the Hebrews, however, crosses the eternal divide... Read More

  Most introductions demonstrate this truth: “I am mother of . . . spouse of . . . sibling of . . . member of (PETA, AA, Democrat or Republican party, GLAAD, religious institution, sport team affiliation, etc.).” Since the Fall, every person is born with a need to belong to a community and will find that need met somewhere. No greater community exists (except the church) than that group who has the Living God as its originator and sustainer—Israel. The Ten... Read More

Three primary promises given by God in Genesis drive His activity in Exodus: Genesis 3:15 - “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis12:3 - “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  Genesis 15:13-14 - “Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly... Read More

God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14 provides the context for the trajectory of Joseph’s suffering, “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them for four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.” The rest of the story answers the question, “How will that promise come to pass?” God works... Read More

God walks with Adam and Eve in the “cool of the day” in Eden. He gives them an instruction to follow which requires faith in Him. After they eat the forbidden fruit He comes to the couple, confronts them regarding their insurrection, slays an animal to cover their nakedness, and promises redemption. His presence in Eden is conspicuous. His presence outside of Eden , however, is less conspicuous (though quite real) and appropriated by faith.  Though the sun lights the... Read More

God’s activity during the six days of creation differs from His divine providence or under the radar work outside of Eden. Nahum M. Sarna wrote, “One of the most characteristic qualities of biblical man was a profound and pervasive conviction about the role of divine providence in human affairs.” God is always active outside of Eden, even if His working is unseen—and that’s a good thing, since life outside of Eden is populated with spiritually blind and broken... Read More