Biblical Studies / Bible Figures

  • Limping Home to God by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2007

    Poor Jacob! You have to love him even though he’s such a disagreeable fellow! A cheat from birth, Jacob has lived up to his name and now finds himself away from home, fearing the wrath of his twin-brother …Read More

  • Snakes and Ladders by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2007

    Poor Jacob! You have to feel sorry for him even though he’s a most disagreeable character! A “self-willed mother’s boy,” with opportunistic instincts that enabled him to outsmart friends and foes alike in a ruthless bid at …Read More

  • He Walked with God by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2006

    Wherever I travel throughout the world, I always make certain to visit the grave sites of civilization’s most famous men. From the grave of Martin Luther in Germany, to the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Persia (present-day Iran …Read More

  • Father Abraham Had Many Sons by Chris Donato

    FROM TABLETALK | June 2006

    With our daily studies just beginning to introduce that pagan family from Ur of the Chaldeans, we are also introduced to the one whom the God of creation called to start fixing the evil mess Adam and his children made …Read More

  • Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ by R.C. Sproul

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2006

    When I look back over forty years of teaching, I sometimes think I must be the most inarticulate writer and speaker in the history of the world. I wonder about that when I read interpretations of my teaching from the …Read More

  • Nothing but the Blood by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2006

    The story of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:17-24) is both curious and unexpected. It is a story of immense significance in the development of the story of redemption. Abram is faced with a stark choice the consequences of which will reverberate …Read More

  • The Least of the Apostles by Jerry Bridges

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2006

    There are about twenty-six different Christian character traits taught either by precept or example in the New Testament. Three of them, trusting God (as opposed to being anxious or afraid), love, and humility, are taught more often than all the …Read More

  • Voices of Temptation by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | September 2006

    The birth of Ishmael, son of Abram and Hagar, is a tale that in some sense at least should never have been. From it emerges a familial and ethnic strife that lasts to this very day. It is a tale …Read More

  • What’s in a Name? by Mark Futato

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2010

    Anybody who has spent any time in the church can tell stories of flat-out ridiculous attitudes and actions they have seen in the lives of God’s people. There is nothing new under the sun. The book of Jonah exposes …Read More

  • Left Behind by Grace Alone by Chris Donato

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    The story of Lot isn’t particularly nice. It is, in fact, one of the more gross stories in the Old Testament. A recalcitrant man of faith, a self-centered wife, two incestuous daughters, obstinate daughters and sons-in-law, and a city …Read More

  • Sodom and Gomorrah by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    Genesis 19 is unseemly stuff! The kind of thing we don’t want to be found reading in public on Sunday mornings when our mothers are present! Sodomy, rape, and who knows what else? Do we close our eyes and …Read More

  • Lessons from a Queen by Tom Ascol

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    In contrast to many of the ancient Near Eastern cultures, the Bible demonstrates a great respect for women. Among Jesus’ closest followers were Mary and Martha, and women were often the object of His kindness (Matt. 9:20ff; 15:22 …Read More

  • The Reluctant Prophet by Steve Kreloff

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2008

    Anyone who has ever attended a Sunday school class knows that Jonah was the man who was eaten alive by a fish and then vomited out three days later. But that’s about the extent of most people’s understanding …Read More

  • Wily Jacob by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2007

    Sell me your birthright now,” Jacob demanded of his twin brother, Esau (Gen. 25:31). Thus begins the sorry tale of Abraham’s grandson. From the start, Jacob challenges us to dislike him: a self-willed, pampered child with ruthless skills …Read More

  • The Faithful Minister by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Matthew 11 begins with a brief reference to Jesus’ commissioning the twelve apostles (see 10:2–5), then returning to His work as a minister of the Word. This is the context for understanding the events and sayings of Chapter …Read More