Author Archives: Bill Rasco

Punishment, destruction, condemnation, guilt, sin, the sword, and death. All words that we have become familiar with in our reading of Ezekiel. Words that are dark and hard to hear. Words that burn behind our eyes as we try to … Continue reading →

Hope often springs up in the strangest places. So far, Ezekiel has had a lot to say in our reading about judgment and destruction. He has painted, in vivid pictures, the sin of God’s people. In Ezekiel 11, we find … Continue reading →

As we read through Ezekiel, we come face to face with a man who is devoted to God. Ezekiel is a wild character, often called to live out the words of God in dramatic ways. Ezekiel himself is a priest, … Continue reading →

The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, records an incredible story in his book, Jewish Antiquities (11.317-345). He tells of the time when Alexander the Great approached the city of Jerusalem. It was a time of conquest. Alexander, leading the Greek armies … Continue reading →

An angelic visitation, visions of unimaginable beasts, interpretations, writing on the wall, a lion’s den, and a fiery furnace; the Book of Daniel holds a lot of amazing pictures. There is definitely an understanding that God is at work and … Continue reading →

Written at a time when the power of Assyria is about to be eclipsed by the Babylonian Empire, the Book of Habakkuk points to the sovereignty of God. Babylon will punish Assyria and, in turn, be punished at a later … Continue reading →

The deed is done. Judgment has fallen. God’s people have begun the Babylonian captivity. Seventy years of separation from the Promised Land, national identity, temple worship, and independence will bring drastic changes to the children of Israel. But for now, … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 36-45 can be difficult reading. Time after time, Jeremiah pleads with the people of Judah to repent. His warnings are emphatic and specific. Babylon is going to destroy Jerusalem unless the people repent. King Zedekiah is warned in writing, … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 30 and 31 have been called the “Book of Comfort” by many scholars. The Book of Comfort is a series of promises made by God to His people. Though the punishment for their sin seemed high, it was necessary … Continue reading →

Embedding the Bible is about learning how to live in a relationship with God. It is also about knowing God and allowing Him to guide our lives. When we embed the Bible, we learn about God’s love, His plan, Jesus, … Continue reading →