How much of the story from Luke 2 do you know?

Jesus the savior is born, and the angels give the shepherds a sign, that they might believe that he is the Christ, the son of the living God.

Two questions answered - why did God command Joshua (and others) to completely destroy the Canaanites, and how does that apply today?

Second question - why did God allow David's concubines to be raped by Absalom? Is it right for others to suffer for someone else's sin?

These are difficult questions, but we need to look at them squarely. When we face them, as tough as they are, we will see the beauty of Jesus and the joy of our redemption.

Listener's questions answered. How can a good God be reconciled with the Old Testament, where God commands genocide?

I attempt to answer, with stammering tongue and finite wisdom. Sodom and Gibeah of Benjamin are both sites of tremendous evil, but they point to a redeemer, a king who will rescue his people from their sins.

Just as Cyrus delivered Israel from Babylon, so the True Servant of God will redeem and gather his people from out of the world, along with the outcasts of the Gentiles into one people of God.

Just as God made the earth to be inhabited, so also he will re-create the heavens and the earth and a people to dwell in it.

A new creation and a new exodus by the power of God

When the enemy oppresses, seemingly with impunity, the soul is easily crushed. Why do the wicked prosper? Does God not see? Does he not care?

Why do certain people escape judgment and do as they please? Why doesn't God put a stop to it?

They use other people for their own lusts and mock at calamity. They oppress and crush the weak just for fun.

God is coming in judgment. His judgment is always perfect. So we can lay aside revenge and leave it in his hands.

Maybe the Kingdom of God doesn't look like the kingdoms of this world.

Maybe God has something else in mind...

Psalm 72 - a Psalm for the King's Son

The gods of the world are made in the image of man, protected by man, carried by man.

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But the people of God are made in the image of GOD, protected by God, carried by God.

The question time after the Bible Study on June 25.

What does it mean that God hides himself, and yet speaks openly?

Does the free invitation of the gospel imply free agency?

What does it mean that "Christ is the head"?

The suffering servant is linked to the calling of the Gentiles. The Anointed one will be lifted up and draw all people to himself.

The scattered and wandering survivors are called to turn away from their idols to the living God, who is re-creating the earth to be inhabited by his people.