The Samarians were a mixed ethnic group that emerged after the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel and its capital Samaria in 722 BC. The Assyrians expelled much of the Israelite population and allowed foreign peoples to settle in their cities. These new peoples mixed with the poor Israelites who remained and eventually became the “Samaritans”. “5 Then the …
The Syrophoenician Woman
In his heavenly mission as the Messiah, Jesus sometimes declared that he was sent only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.[1] Since the Jews were God’s chosen people, they would hear the gospel first, and then the disciples would go out to all the other nations and preach the gospel to them as well. [2] But even …
The Lord’s Supper
As we saw in chapter 4, there was a long tradition of hospitality in Jewish society. Providing food and shelter to traveling strangers was an almost sacred duty that was at first an unwritten code of conduct but was, at least in part, articulated in the Law of Moses. By offering food to a stranger, a potential enemy was transformed …
Flee to Egypt
When Jesus came to earth, it meant that he first left his heavenly dwelling[i] to live in our world as a guest and stranger.[ii] As a newborn, Jesus is welcomed to earth by both Jews[iii] and Gentiles[iv], but is soon forced to flee to escape King Herod: “13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared …
But There Is a God in Heaven
One person who sought the good of his new community in Babylon was Daniel, one of the Jews who were carried away into captivity: “3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility,4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all …
Israel Violates the Covenant
Although Israel had received the Law of Moses with clear instructions on how to live as God’s people, unfortunately it doesn’t take long before Israel begins to break the covenant with God. They break both the first half of the covenant, to love God with all their heart, by beginning to worship idols, and the second half of the covenant, …
Raise Your Voice for the Mute
Centrally placed in the Bible we find an important word of God for leaders: “8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Pr 31:8-9) These words of wisdom call on people in leadership positions to speak out publicly in support …
Ittai’s Loyalty
King David had to flee for his life more than once. On one of these occasions, we meet an interesting person called Ittai: “13 And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, …
Cave of Adullam
One of the Bible’s great heroes, King David, had to flee on several occasions, and there are some interesting lessons to be learned from these events. We begin with David’s escape to the cave of Adullam: “1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they …
Preaching to the Enemy
In the last chapter, we reviewed how Israel was supposed to treat foreigners outside Israel’s borders, and that God’s plan was to transform the Israelites into “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”.[i] The Lord wants to extend his salvation to all peoples “to the end of the earth” by using Israel as missionaries who preach the Word of …