Author Archives: Bill Rasco

Idolatry has become the hallmark of God’s people. Israel worships gods made of stone, metal, and wood. They have not given up temple worship, only added the worship of something else. But the addition has cost them the closeness that … Continue reading →

A sound, a dream, or a thought wakes him in the night. He is 8 years old and scared. The darkness holds the unknown. It changes the familiar into shifting shadows of fear producing blackness. Daytime sounds are transformed at … Continue reading →

As Isaiah prophecies in Israel, events on the world stage are moving into a dangerous place for God’s people. The nation of Babylon is gaining power and land. Conquest and control rule the hearts of the Babylonians. As they approach … Continue reading →

Isaiah 4:2-6 contains a promise from God for the future of Israel. At a time when Isaiah is warning Israel about sin and its consequences, God gives Isaiah a word of hope to share. Isaiah 4:2 talks about a “branch … Continue reading →

The prophet Malachi prophesied to God’s people after the time of Haggai and Zechariah, but before the return of Ezra to Jerusalem. The date is somewhere around 470-460 B.C. Malachi deals with a great deal of the same subjects as … Continue reading →

The prophet Zechariah started his prophetic ministry two months after Haggai (Haggai 1:1 and Zechariah 1:1). His purpose was the same as that of Haggai. He encouraged the Jews who had returned from Babylonian captivity to complete the work started … Continue reading →

Apathy can be a killer. It kills motivation, zeal, passion, and action. Sometimes it comes on slowly; sometimes it seems to fall on us like a ton of bricks. We just get distracted, we don’t “feel like it”, or we … Continue reading →

What does it mean? How can I live this out? These are important questions as we embed the Bible. We read for information and for transformation. God wants us to be changed when we come into contact with His Word. … Continue reading →

Ezekiel 37 has to be one of the coolest chapters in the Bible. Ezekiel, a man called to live out the message of God in bold ways, is led by the Spirit of God to a valley. As he looks … Continue reading →

Israel is in captivity. Separated from homeland and temple worship, Israel longs for the day when she can return home. Not everyone in the region looks forward to the day of Israel’s return. In Ezekiel 26, we are shown that … Continue reading →