After completing our 3 1/2-year cycle of readings in the Torah, we’ve decided to continue with the historical books that follow, beginning with Joshua. We’ll read first about the conquest of the Canaanite tribes, then examine the disappointing time of the Judges – punctuated by the exploits of Gideon and Samson – and the turmoil that led up to the anointing of Saul as King.
The prophet Nathan tells David a parable that is really an allegory for David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. David confesses and repents of his sin, and Psalm 51 describes the depth of his repentance. God forgives him, but the consequences of his actions bring tragedy to his house immediately and on into the future.
King David’s moral failure with Bathsheba as well as his arranged murder of her husband Uriah, left a stain on his name, the kingdom and God’s Law. It gives us a picture of the progression of sin in our own lives. It would take a confrontation with the prophet Nathan to bring David to repentance.
David’s offer of kindness to the Ammonite king is rejected and his ambassadors are humiliated. The Ammonites aided by the Syrians prepare for war. David’s general Joab’s exhortation to the troops (later quoted by Paul) is one we can apply to our own lives today.
David honors his promise to Jonathan by seeking out his crippled son, Mephibosheth, returning lands and provisions to him and giving him a seat at the royal table. The story is a reflection of our own situation before God and God’s mercy toward us.
The response of Simeon and Anna at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the visit of the wise men from the east show the high level of Messianic expectation that accompanied Jesus’ birth.
Notes on the Wise Men and the Star
The eight-day feast of Hanukkah, a festival of lights, occurs in the darkest time of year. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C. after it was cleansed by Judas Maccabeus when the Jews prevailed against the Seleucid Greeks of Syria.
When the special oil for the Temple lamp stand could not be obtained in time, Judah Maccabeus took a step of faith (and a risk) by lighting the lamp with only one day’s supply of oil. It burned miraculously for eight days until the extra oil arrived.
Many scholars place the time of Mary’s annunciation and the conception of Christ (rather than his birth) at this time of year, and the festival contains numerous types and foreshadowings of Christ’s coming.
In preparation for Hanukkah, we will first read the story of the annunciation of Jesus’ birth to Mary, and then examine how this season became associated with Christmas on Dec. 25. Can the pagan traditions associated with Christmas be transformed and redeemed? The answer is yes.
We're starting to renew our in-person meetings as the pandemic winds down. Sunday Big Group meetings, the Buckner Tuesday Bible study and Pete's Friday Bible study are currently meeting in person. (A Zoom option is also sometimes still available).
Our church community gathers throughout the week at different places on The Block, a neighborhood between downtown and the Lakewood area of Dallas, Texas, near the corner of Beacon and Columbia Ave. We'd love to have you join us!
If you can’t make it to The Block, you can listen to podcasts from the archive by our late elder, Ole Anthony, recorded at his daily Morning Bible Studies, available here.
Sundays
Note: There are no Sunday Morning meetings
Potluck Meal: We gather together for a potluck meal at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Lair, our community restaurant, located at 5644 Columbia Ave., downstairs.
'Big Group': Then we all gather from 5 - 6 p.m. Sunday for worship, singing and Bible study at the home of John and Joysanna Rutledge next door at 5640 Columbia Ave., upstairs. Contact John Rutledge jhnrutledge@gmail.com or call (214) 385-0230.
Spanish-language Bible Study
There is a Spanish-language Bible Study led by Pete Evans, Sundays at 8 p.m. Contact Pete at pete@trinityfi.org or call (214) 738-3349.
Tuesdays
Bible study at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Gary and Judy Buckner's home at 5632 Columbia Ave. Contact Gary Buckner, buckner.construction@gmail.com or call (214) 682-8007.
Fridays
At 7 p.m. Fridays, Bible Study taught by Pete Evans at 5640 Columbia Ave., downstairs. Contact Pete Evans, pete@trinityfi.org or call (214) 738-3349
Saturday Brunch - Pending
We're hoping soon to re-instate our Saturday brunch from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in The Lair, our community restaurant located at 5644 Columbia Ave. Stay tuned!
E-mail us: blockoncolumbia@gmail.com