The Surprising God

This post exegetes Matthew chapter 2, providing context for the Gospel reading on 12/28/25, which this year is the 1st Sunday in the season of Christmas. Insights are drawn from commentary by Craig Keener in "The IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament," by RT France in "The New Bible Commentary," and by Louis Barbieri in "The Bible Knowledge Commentary." Introduction Matthew chapter 1 examines Jesus’ royal genealogy and miraculous birth. Now in chapter 2, Matthew addresses Jesus’ infant years in order to show from prophecy that Jesus truly is the promised Messiah. "Flight Into Egypt" by Girardet (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Pagan seekers  Matthew 2:1-12 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he ...

This post exegetes Isaiah 7:1-17, providing context for the Old Testament reading on 12/21/25, which this year is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Insights are drawn from commentary by Derek Kidner ("New Bible Commentary") and John A. Martin ("Bible Knowledge Commentary"). "Virgin with Child" by Bonsignori (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Isaiah chapters 7 through 12 are often called “The book of Immanuel” given its focus on the promised child (Isa. 7:14; 8:8) whose nature and reign emerge in Isa. 9:1–7 and Isa. 11:1–10 against a background of local menace (Isa. 7:1–9) and world-wide dispersion (Isa. 11:11–16). Though these prophecies arose out of a contemporary crisis, they extend to the last days (Isa. 9:1) and the whole earth (Isa. 11:9–10; 12:4–5). In this post, we'll look at Isa. 7:1-17, which sepaks to the Sign of Immanuel. Confrontation  Isaiah 7:1-9 1 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram a...

This post exegetes James 5:7-12, providing context for the Epistle reading on 12/14/25, which this year is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Insights are drawn from commentary by Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary"), Peter H. Davids ("New Bible Commentary") and Luke Timothy Johnson ("James, Anchor Bible").   "The Sufferomgs of Job" by Chiesa (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction The book of James begins with an exhortation to suffering Christians to persevere (James 1:1-5), and now its conclusion begins with a similar plea to “be patient…until the Lord's coming…” (James 5:7). Perseverance and patience are needed as we await the “blessed hope” of Jesus’ return (Titus 2:13)—particularly when the going gets tough. And it often does. Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). And Paul noted, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). And so we need patience (see...