Abigail was a wise and beautiful woman who was married to a foolish and wealthy man named Nabal. Though she was Nabal’s wife, the Bible emphasizes Abigail’s wisdom and discernment in contrast to Nabal’s foolishness. We first read about Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. She was married to Nabal, who was a descendant of Caleb. The Bible describes Nabal as harsh and badly behaved (1 Samuel 25:3). He was wealthy, owning property and many sheep and goats. However, despite having abundant resources, Nabal was stingy and ungenerous. In 1 Samuel 25, David and his men protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks…
Author: Tim Collings
In the Old Testament, God established different roles and responsibilities for those who would serve Him and lead His people. Two key groups that emerged were the priests and the Levites. The priests were responsible for offering sacrifices, overseeing rituals, and teaching God’s laws. They served as mediators between God and His people. The first priests came from the line of Aaron, Moses’ brother. Aaron and his sons were consecrated as priests and given special garments to set them apart for service in the tabernacle (Exodus 28-29). The priests could only come from this family line. The Levites assisted the…
Injustice is a major theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s heart for justice and how he expects his followers to pursue justice in society. At the core of injustice is the misuse of power to take advantage of others. This can take many forms, including oppression of the poor, racism, sexism, corruption, and more. The Bible makes it clear that God cares deeply about injustice and how we treat one another. Old Testament Teachings on Justice In the Old Testament, God delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, showing his concern for the oppressed…
The concept of a “great deception” that will occur before the second coming of Jesus Christ is referenced several times in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. Though the precise nature of this deception is not entirely clear, several key passages provide insight into what it might involve. The Coming of False Christs and False Prophets In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned his disciples that prior to his return, “many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:5). He said that these false christs and false prophets would perform…
The Bible mentions that when Jesus was born, Mary “wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). But what exactly does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths? Let’s explore this in more detail. What are swaddling cloths? Swaddling cloths were strips of cloth that were commonly used in biblical times to wrap around newborn babies. The cloth would be wrapped snugly around the baby to help restrict movement and provide comfort and security. Swaddling was a standard practice of caring for…
The phrase “from glory to glory” in 2 Corinthians 3:18 refers to the believer’s transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. As we behold the glory of God, specifically in the face of Jesus Christ, we are progressively changed to become more like Him. This verse describes an ongoing process of sanctification in the life of a Christian. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Let’s break…
The Shekinah glory refers to the visible manifestation of God’s presence with His people in the Bible. The word “Shekinah” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to dwell,” and was used in the Bible in reference to God dwelling among His people. The first reference to the Shekinah glory is in Exodus 24:15-18, when God’s presence settled on Mount Sinai in the sight of the Israelites. “Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day…
The debate between rationalism and empiricism has persisted for centuries among philosophers and theologians alike. At its core, rationalism champions reason as the primary source of knowledge, while empiricism elevates sensory experience. As Christians seeking biblical wisdom on this topic, it’s helpful to understand the basic arguments on each side. The Rationalist View Rationalists assert that reason alone, rather than sensory input, is the basis for all certain knowledge. The rationalist believes that there are fundamental truths that can be intuitively grasped through logic and deduction. Mathematical and logical proofs are prime examples. Rationalists view sensory experience as unreliable and…
The city of Dothan is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. While not a major city, Dothan has an important symbolic and spiritual significance in Scripture. Dothan first appears in Genesis 37, when Joseph travels there looking for his brothers who were tending their father’s flocks. The brothers see Joseph coming and plot to kill him, throwing him into a pit before deciding to sell him into slavery in Egypt instead. This betrayal by Joseph’s brothers occurs just outside of Dothan, setting into motion Joseph’s journey to Egypt that would eventually lead to…
John Locke was an influential English philosopher who lived from 1632 to 1704. He made significant contributions to the development of modern political philosophy and had a profound impact on Christian theology and religious tolerance. Some of Locke’s key ideas that influenced Christianity include: 1. Tabula Rasa View of Human Nature Locke rejected the doctrine of original sin and instead proposed that human beings are born as a “tabula rasa” or blank slate. He argued that people are shaped primarily by their experiences, education, and environment. This challenged the traditional Christian belief that humans are born inherently sinful due to…