Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
Summary In what follows, I will consider the “year-stamps” employed in Scripture, i.e., statements of the form, “Such-and-such an event took place in the Xth year of Y.” In the process, I will suggest some ways in which the Biblical narrative might relate to events in the extra-Biblical world, though…
In the first essay on the parable of the Prodigal Son, I suggested that the problems commentators and others encounter in interpreting Jesus three-part parable are not accidental. These are not just problems in our ignorance of cultural background. They are intentional features of the stories —stories designed to poke…
The story of the Prodigal Son is perhaps the most well-known story in the Bible. As others have observed, it may also be one of the most misunderstood. In two short essays, I will point out features of this story that are commonly neglected, aspects of Jesus’ parable that might…
The parable of Lazarus and the nameless rich man is not an independent story. It is part of a long context that begins in Luke 15:1, where Jesus is eating with tax collectors and sinners and the scribes and Pharisees grumble. In response to their hardheartedness, Jesus tells a three-part…
The Bible is written so that even when a reader cannot pick up on what might be deeper or more detailed aspects of a text, there is virtually always a message to be heard. In the ancient world, where the “reader” of Scripture would likely be a church official facing…
The distinction between garden (or vineyard) and field begins in Genesis 2. This relates to the ordering of the formless world. Plants of the field are contrasted with the garden planted by God in Genesis 2:5&8. Later on, under the Old Covenant the Israelites will be required to keep their…
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1 Kings 7:46-47 inform us that the casting for the bronze furnishings and tools of the temple worship was done in the “plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.” There are a few noteworthy details in these verses: 1) In verse 46 Solomon suddenly takes over as the craftsman…
Waterworks, 1 Kings 7:23-51 INTRODUCTION In the tabernacle courtyard, there was a laver that contained water for washing. We are not told its dimensions, and no particular emphasis is put on it (Exodus 30:17-21; cf. 38:8). Water is much more abundant in the temple. Not only is there a very…
Song of Songs 7:10-13 Six times in the Song of Songs, Solomon refers to pomegranates in describing his beloved. ?Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate behind your veil,?Ehe says, and ?your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits.?E When he searches out his beloved, he…
The sermon text this morning includes a brief biography of the craftsman Hiram, son of an Israelite woman and a Tyrean man, whom Solomon brings to Jerusalem to cast bronze furnishings for the temple. The writer of Kings says that he is filled ?with wisdom and discernment and knowledge,?Erepeating several…
Walsh suggests a chiastic outline for 1 Kings 7:1-12: A. Solomon builds the house B. House of the forest of Lebanon (rows and beams of cedar) C. Portico of pillars D. Portico of judgment C. House for Solomon and Pharaoh?s daughter B. Stone work (rows and beams) A. Back to…
Walsh suggests a chiastic outline for 1 Kings 7:1-12: A. Solomon builds the house B. House of the forest of Lebanon (rows and beams of cedar) C. Portico of pillars D. Portico of judgment C. House for Solomon and Pharaoh?s daughter B. Stone work (rows and beams) A. Back to…
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