The Pentateuch

The “Pentateuch” is a term used to describe the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis—Deuteronomy). In the Jewish Scriptures these books are referred to as the Law, or Torah, a Hebrew word that means “guide” or “instruction”. The “Pentateuch” is a term used to describe the first… Read More

Ancient Israelites and the Great Flood

The story of Noah and the Great Flood conjures images of a cartoon ark bobbing in blue seas. Yet a flood the magnitude of the one described in the Biblical text would more closely resemble total devastation on a massive scale. How did this story become a part of the… Read More

Ancient Israelites and Creation Stories

The Bible offers stories on how God created the world. Yet in the beginning, “the earth was barren, with no form of life,” and “there was no one to work the land”. If no people were there to witness the events of creation, how did the Biblical writers know what… Read More

Is My Anger Out of Control?

In the opening chapters of the Bible we find the story of the two brothers, the children of Adam and Eve. Theirs is a story of how jealousy led to anger, causing one brother to turn against the other. In the opening chapters of the Bible we find the… Read More

Learning to Depend on God

When a friend promises to eat lunch with you, you depend on him or her to be there at lunch time. The Israelites were the same way. They had received many promises from God. God promised to make them a great nation. God promised to take them to the Land… Read More

Blessed (Happy)

What is true blessing and happiness? Is it fame and fortune, a lucrative job or a healthy family? Or is it a life lived in obedience to God? Check out what the Bible has to say. Many people today think of being blessed as having possessions or money, and… Read More

Abraham

Abraham first appears in Genesis 11, but his legacy lasts throughout the New Testament. Find out who Abraham was and what role he played in biblical history. Who was Abraham and why was he important? Find out now. The list of the descendants of Noah’s sons comes to an… Read More

Adam

Before the Fall, Adam walked with God, named the animals and lived in the Garden of Eden. Read about the significance of Adam in God’s plan for the world. In Genesis 2 – 3, God creates the first human being, Adam, in the garden of Eden from the dust… Read More

Isaac

As the son of Abraham and father of Jacob, Isaac was an important figure in the Old Testament. Read about his life and work here. Isaac is the second son of Abraham, a half brother to Ishmael, and the divinely promised firstborn son of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis16, 19)… Read More

The Alleged Curse on Ham

What is the basis for the curse in Genesis 9? Learn about the context and meaning of this passage. Genesis 9:18–29 has been popularly understood to mean that Ham was cursed, and this understanding has often been used to justify oppression of African people, the descendants of Ham. In… Read More