July 2019

Review: “Jerusalem: History, Archaeology and Apologetic Proof of Scripture” free book!

By in Library, Reviews

In doing a series of lessons a few years ago on the city of Jerusalem as it appears through the Bible, I cast a wide net to find resources of a historical, geographical, and archaeological nature concerning this great city of the Old and New Testament period. One very valuable resource was a free (for download in PDF format) 250 page book written by Galyn Wiemers at www.generationword.com. It may also be read online at his website.

Entitled, “Jerusalem: History, Archaeologyand Apologetic Proof of Scripture,” it contains over 500 photos, maps and charts along with much explanatory text. Most or all the photos seem to have been taken by Mr. Wiemers during visits to Jerusalem. The book is divided into seven sections:

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“The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz”

By in Study

Perhaps my favorite illustration of the work involved in effective Bible study is a story dating from the 1850s. It is called, “The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz.” Dr. Louis Agassiz (see Wikipedia article) was one of the most respected scientists of the 19th Century, and a professor of zoology and geology at Harvard with sometimes controversial theories. The story is of a student of Agassiz’s who learns the critical importance of diligent close examination of the subject he was supposed to master. It provides a great but humorous demonstration of our need to devote the time and attention to gain all we can from the study of passages of Scripture. Click here to read or download the story. You can also access the audio and handouts of our entire “Effective Bible Study” class here.

The “10,000-Hour Rule”

By in Study, Teaching & Study

I occasionally have my hearers and students ask me how I know so much about the historical background of the Scriptures. Perhaps they heard something I taught which connected in a way they had not thought of before, or learned something which had previously eluded them. My response is pretty uniform: I have spent most of my adult life diligently seeking to know more about the Scriptures!

In 2008 a book called Outliers: The Story of Success, by author and New Yorkermagazine writer Malcolm Gladwell became a best seller. Gladwell had previously written The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference (2002) and Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) – all three books examine the relationship between success, inspiration (i.e., genius), hard work, and opportunity in business and careers. Note that EBS may earn a small commission off any merchandise purchased through links on this page.

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Series: “Jeremiah”

By in Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

The Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament provides a first-hand account of the death throes of the nation of Judah as it struggled against the judgment of Jehovah before succumbing to the might of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire in 587-586 BC. It is the second longest book in the Bible, just behind the Psalms in size. We have available two separate series I taught on Jeremiah.

“Jeremiah” is a six message series I preached at the Tanglewood Church of Christ in Odessa, Texas in 2010. You may listen to the entire series by clicking here.

“Jeremiah: The Prophet & His Book” is a classroom course I taught at the Sunset International Bible Institute in 2004. It is about 18 hours of instruction recorded on 7 DVDs. You may purchase it in our Store by clicking here.

Study: “Trusting in the Name(s) of God,” #4

By in Series, Study, Teaching, Teaching & Study

Jehovah-Ra’ah ”¢ The LORD Shepherds Me

GOD’S NAMES

  1. Reveals His attributes and character
  2. “For His name’s sake” means He can always be counted on to act according to His names.

“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD” – Psalm 23

  1. Shepherds have been part of the Bible story from the beginning: Abel, Abraham, Jacob, David, etc.
  2. Psalm 23 is a song by David, a shepherd who was chosen by Jehovah to become the Shepherd King over God’s people Israel.
  3. No doubt, David’s long experience as a shepherd led him to more fully understand how Jehovah was shepherding in all of his life.
    a. Someone has observed that sheep are more needy than many other domesticated animals
    b. They need leadership, protection, food & water, rest, maintenance care (heal injuries, shearing), and be rescued when lost
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Study: “Trusting in the Name(s) of God,” #3

By in Series, Teaching & Study

Jehovah-Rapha Ӣ Jehovah Who Heals

GOD’S MANY NAMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

  1. A few we have studied appear hundreds of times.
  2. Others appear only once or twice.
  3. Yet all are to help us know Him better and trust Him more.

“I AM JEHOVAH YOUR HEALER” – Exodus 15:26

  1. “I AM” (YHWH or JEHOVAH) gave Israel deliverance from Egypt through the plagues
  2. “I AM” delivered Israel from Pharoah’s armies at the Red Sea
  3. Three days into the desert they reach Marah, but the water was undrinkable and the people grumbled against Moses (but really the LORD)
  4. The LORD guided Moses to throw a certain wood into the water and it was “healed” and made sweet.
  5. Then the LORD tested them by giving them a decree and a law…
  6. The LORD called Himself, “The Lord Your Healer.” Rapha in Hebrew means to “heal, mend, or make whole.” Healing would depend on their obedience.
  7. Their history through 40 years in the wilderness and the rest of the OT will be short times of faith and obedience followed by faithless disobedience.
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Study: “Trusting in the Name(s) of God,” #2

By in Series, Teaching & Study

Trusting in the Name(s) of God – Introduction

NAMES ARE IMPORTANT IN THE BIBLE:

  1. Many examples: Eve, Abram, Sarai, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus
  2. In Hebrew culture an individual’s name was intended to reflect character or expectations – in retrospect, in that moment or in future expectation.

OUR STUDY OF THE “NAMES” OF GOD

  1. One name is WHO or WHAT He is – “God”
  2. One is His PROPER NAME – YHWH / Jehovah – “I Am That I Am” (6,000+ times in OT as “LORD.” Not same as “Lord”)
  3. Many more are titles or descriptions of His character and nature – Holy, Almighty, Lord, etc.
  4. These names, titles and descriptions have been revealed to us by Him so we can know without doubt WHO He is and WHY we can trust in Him.

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