Was he really a thief? We call him “the thief on the cross” so often that it sounds like Scripture explicitly gives us his occupation, but it doesn’t. Luke calls the two men crucified with Jesus criminals. Matthew and Mark call them robbers, a word often translated “thieves.” Christian tradition blended the accounts, and “the … Read more
When the Angel of the LORD found Gideon, Israel was having a rough time. The Midianites had been raiding the land for years, destroying crops and leaving the Israelites with very little to live on. Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press, trying to hide what little food he had left from the Midianites, … Read more
By the time Israel reached the plains of Moab, they had already defeated several kings on their way toward the Promised Land. That made Balak, the king of Moab, nervous. Instead of trying to fight Israel himself, Balak sent messengers to a man named Balaam and asked him to come to Moab and curse the … Read more
God had already promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation, but there was an obvious problem. Abraham and Sarah still had no children together, Abraham was nearly 100 years old, and Sarah was about 90. When God told Abraham that Sarah would have a son, Abraham laughed. Genesis 17 says … Read more
Cain and Abel both brought offerings to God. Abel brought from the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions, while Cain brought an offering from the fruit of the ground. God accepted Abel and his offering but did not accept Cain and his offering. Genesis does not explicitly tell us exactly why. Hebrews 11:4 … Read more
God’s first question after Adam and Eve ate from the tree was, “Where are you?” Adam and Eve had already realized they were naked, sewn fig leaves together to cover themselves, and hidden when they heard God walking in the garden. God knew where they were. He also knew what they had done. So “Where … Read more
The Nile River was the lifeline of ancient Egypt, providing water, food, and transportation. It is where Moses was placed in a basket and found by Pharoah’s daughter (Exodus 2). It is where the first plague occurred, when the water was turned to blood (Exodus 7). The Nile played a central role in Egypt’s power … Read more
The Mediterranean Sea formed the western boundary of the land of Israel. It was a major route for travel and trade in the ancient world. The Apostle Paul traveled across it during his missionary journeys, including his voyage to Rome. It is where Paul was shipwrecked on his way to Rome (Acts 27). Jesus’s ministry … Read more
The Dead Sea is a salt lake located at the lowest point on earth. Water flows from the Sea of Galilee (a place with much life) through the Jordan River into the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has no outlet, so water flows in but does not flow out, resulting in the inability for any … Read more
The Sea of Galilee was the center of Jesus’ ministry in northern Israel. Many of His most well-known moments happened there. It’s where He called fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him. It’s where Jesus calmed a raging storm. It is where Jesus walked on water, and where Peter also walked on … Read more