2 Kings 2:1-12 Growin’ Up (London)
How do we know when someone has grown up? I remember being 15 years old and wanting desperately to be 16 so that I could drive. But growing up must be more than just celebrating birthdays. What about maturity?
2 Kings 2:1-14 Resurrection Threatens Death Every Day (Hoffacker)
The prophet Elijah is carried to heaven in a whirlwind, transported by a fiery chariot with fiery horses! This breath taking scene may cause us to overlook what else takes place in today’s first reading. There is a lot going on, much of it far from obvious.
2 Kings 2:1-12 Numb-Struck
Our text for today inspired some of the great spirituals that are still beloved by people of many races. One of my favorites is: “Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Coming for to carry me home."
1 Kings 21:1-21a Kings and Corporations (Hoffacker)
A double crime occurs. First, the murder of Naboth. Second, the illegal seizure of his ancestral property. When the king acts like this, is it possible to appeal to a higher authority? The biblical answer is a resounding yes.
1 Kings 21:1-29 The Hollywood Syndrome (Hyde)
Though Ahab is the king of Israel, he has gone through life choosing poorly, and one of his worst choices was to marry Jezebel. And with Jezebel, when it comes to devotion to one’s god, there was no compromise.
1 Kings 21:1-10 Deal or Else (Anders)
I could not help but think of this game show when I read our text for today. Ahab was playing a similar game except his title would be, “Deal… Or Else!” In Ahab’s game, it was deal or die! And Naboth decided not to deal.
1 Kings 19:4-8 Bread for the Journey (Kegel)
Elie Wiesel writes of an auto accident that shattered the left side of his body. But his friends said it could have been worse. “How could it be worse?” His friend said, “It could have happened to me.”
1 Kings 19:1-8 All Alone (Donovan)
Elijah was afraid. He had just stood toe-to-toe with the prophets of Baal, and had won. God came breathing fire from heaven, and vindicated Elijah’s faith. Now, Elijah was afraid. A woman said, “I’m going to get you, Elijah,” and she had scared him silly.
1 Kings 19:1-15a Hearing the Silence (Hoffacker)
It was late at night when the young minister answered the phone. The voice on the other end threatened him with death, then hung up. That young minister was Martin Luther King Jr. The year was 1956.
1 Kings 19:1-18 Dealing with Depression (Leininger)
The Bible is not afraid of the truth, even the sometimes sordid truth about its heroes. Abraham was a liar. Jacob was a thief. Moses had a murderous temper. King David was an adulterer. Today we find another “wart” in one of the greatest prophets – Elijah.