Rescue and Ruin: The Crossing of the Red Sea

After the Israelites had lived in Egypt for more than four hundred years, God heard their cries and sent Moses to rescue them. Through the miraculous ten plagues, He secured their release. More than two million Israelites then left Egypt with a triumphant spirit. During the day, the Lord led them with a pillar of […]

The Ten Plagues in the Book of Exodus

The Book of Exodus records that in order to compel the Pharaoh of Egypt to agree to let the Hebrew people leave, God sent ten successive plagues through Moses: the Nile turning to blood, frogs, gnats and flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally, the death of the firstborn. What can we learn […]

The Birth of Moses

Moses was an unparalleled leader of the Israelite people. He was an outstanding military strategist, politician, lawmaker, and writer, as well as a prophet. The five books of Moses that he authored hold a significant place not only in the Old Testament but also in the New Testament. Moses’s name is mentioned 79 times in […]

Background and Introduction to the Book of Exodus

The English name “Exodus” comes from the Greek word ‘exodos’ (ἔξοδος) in the Septuagint, meaning “going out.” Written by Moses in the wilderness in the 15th century BCE, it is the second book of the Pentateuch. Exodus is the central book of the Pentateuch, showing us the beginning of God’s redemptive work. If you enjoy […]

The Transformation of Judah

Among Jacob’s twelve sons, Joseph received the birthright and a double portion of the inheritance, while Judah became the leader of his brothers. Among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Judah became the head of the tribes, producing many kings. The later King David was a descendant of Judah. David’s descendants also sat […]

Reuben’s Indulgence

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it” (Genesis 49:3-4). Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob, born to Leah, Laban’s […]

The Family of Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh

Joseph was his father Jacob’s most beloved son. Out of his brothers’ jealousy, he was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt. Because he resisted his master’s wife’s seduction, he was falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned. Later, he rose from being a prisoner to becoming the prime minister of Egypt and was even given a […]

Joseph in the Book of Genesis

Joseph is a key figure in the biblical Book of Genesis and the Quran. He was the great-grandson of Abraham, the grandson of Isaac, and the eleventh son of Jacob. He was also the first of two sons born to Jacob’s favored wife, Rachel (the other being Benjamin). Most people are familiar with the story […]

The Ladder of Jacob: Jesus in the Book of Genesis

On the night that Jacob fled from home after deceiving his father to get the blessing meant for his older brother Esau, he came to a place called Bethel (which means “House of God”). He took a stone for a pillow and had a dream (Genesis 28:11-22). In the dream, he saw a moving ladder—in […]

King David (Part II)

After King Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was murdered by his own men, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and anointed him king over both Israel and Judah. David then went up and captured Jerusalem, a city located between Judah and Israel, named it the “City of David,” and established it as the […]