Revisiting the Book of Joshua

“The Bible is a history book, but it’s also a book of historical art. Our generation has an abundance of historical writing, but a poor sense of historical touch and concept. There is an urgent need for this book.” – Hesse In the Bible, the Book of Joshua serves as an indispensable bridge, connecting the […]

The Death of Joshua

“After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten… The Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.” (Joshua 24:29, 31) […]

Differences Among Modern Jews

Over more than two millennia of diaspora, Jews living around the world integrated with local populations, leading to significant differences in appearance, language, customs, and culture. The three main branches of modern Jewry are: Ashkenazi Jews (descendants of Jews who migrated to the Rhineland region of Germany between 800–1000 AD, speaking Yiddish, and making up […]

Spiritual Gifts

The Chinese Bible’s word for “gift” is a translation of several different Greek words. Their original meanings are “gift,” “bestowed item,” or “a gift freely given.” The Greek word “pneumatika” refers to the source of the gifts, which is God’s Spirit (pneuma). The word “charismata” refers to the gifts being granted as a demonstration of […]

The Timeline of Jesus’ Life and Ministry

The Birth and Childhood of Jesus 1、Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth blesses Mary, calling her blessed (Luke 1:39-56). 2、While Herod was king of Judea, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be registered. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7). 3、On the eighth […]

Achsah Asks for Springs of Water

Achsah was the daughter of Caleb and the wife of Othniel. After the Israelites entered Canaan, Caleb drove out the Anakites from Hebron and then went up to attack the inhabitants of Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). Kiriath Sepher was located ten miles south of Hebron. Joshua had captured it once before, but the Canaanites […]

A Name of God in the Bible: Jehovah-Jireh

Jehovah-Jireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) means “The LORD Will Provide.” The name comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis, Chapter 22, in the account of Abraham. It refers to the location on Mount Moriah where Abraham sacrificed a ram, whose horns were caught in a thicket, as a burnt offering in place of his son Isaac. […]

Caleb and the Land He Received

Caleb (Hebrew: כָּלֵב) is an important figure in the Hebrew Bible. The spelling of his name is consistent with the Hebrew word for “loyal” or “faithful.” When Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, they came to the border of Canaan, the land God had promised them. Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to […]

Shechem

Shechem is a place name in the Bible. The city was located in the heart of the land, nestled between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The name “Shechem” in the original Hebrew means “shoulder.” The shoulder is the strongest part of the body, capable of bearing burdens that the hands cannot lift, so Shechem also […]

The Priesthood

Broadly speaking, a priest is a religious official who presides over rituals and offers sacrifices on an altar in the worship or reverence of a deity. In the Old Testament, priests were set apart by God for the specific purpose of serving Him. The Pentateuch records that God separated the tribe of Levi to be […]