Twelve Goats for Twelve Tribes

Twelve Goats for Twelve Tribes

Ezra 6:17 (CSB)”For the dedication of God’s house they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, as well as twelve male goats as a sin offering for all Israel — one for each Israelite tribe.” Add the animals up. The...
Twelve Goats for Twelve Tribes

Whose Command Finished the House

Ezra 6:14 (CSB)”So the Jewish elders continued successfully with the building under the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and...
Twelve Goats for Twelve Tribes

The Opposition Runs Errands

Ezra 6:13 (CSB)”Then Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.” Tattenai came to shut the work down. He was the Persian inspector over the region...
Give Me Life in Keeping with Your Justice

Give Me Life in Keeping with Your Justice

At Mt. Carmel we open worship by praying the Psalms back to God. This one is from Psalm 119:145-152. Most holy and gracious God, eternal Father, unchanging from everlasting to everlasting. We praise You for Your word, firmer than the mountains. Psalm 119:145-146...
Is Hell Fair?

Is Hell Fair?

The framework below comes from Why Does God Allow Evil?: Compelling Answers for Life’s Toughest Questions by Clay Jones, who taught the course on this subject that I sat under at Biola. If this question presses on you, or on someone you love, buy his book. It...