September/October 2008

Good King, Bad Choices

Lessons from the lives of Israel’s ancient kings


Why do good people make bad choices? This issue explores examples of choices, consequences, and correctives in the lives of some of Israel’s best and brightest kings. Perhaps we can learn from their mistakes and avoid making more of our own. Also, Elwood McQuaid explores the Islamic idea of “martyrdom.”

Features

Martyrs or Murderers? There is a Difference

Religion, religion, religion. We don’t like to speak of it in the West, but it perme- ates every facet of everyday life for Muslims. And it determines many things, as you’ll see when you read this article.

David, Bathsheba, and the Faithfulness of God

Just about everyone knows about King David’s sin with Bathsheba. But do you know why God did not cast David away, as He did Saul? The answer may not be what you think it is!

Wiser is Better

Heeding the voice of wisdom and experi- ence can prevent many a heartache. Solomon’s son Rehoboam learned that fact the hard way, but this article explains why you don’t have to.

Departed, to No One’s Sorrow

Good potential + bad choices = accomplishing little or nothing for God. But you can alter that equation. Read on!

Jehoshaphat’s Big Mistake

Jehoshaphat played the fool by trying to travel two roads at the same time. And the admonishment God gave him back then still applies to us today.


More In This Issue

From Bill Sutter’s Desk Sep/Oct 2008

When Bethel Baptist Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, celebrated the modern State of Israel’s 60th anniversary, it went all out! The congregation staged a biblically based, three-act dramatic performance of The Life of Moses...

Map of the Middle East.

Eye on the Future

Two preachers were handing out tracts in England recently when a police officer threatened to throw them in jail for committing a hate crime. “They were warned that if they came back and were beaten

Silhouette of man speaking.

Positive or Negative? You Can’t Have One Without the Other

People who make their livings as editorial writers, news analysts, and commentators on contemporary trends and events are on the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, society yearns for communicators who, in the

Can You Stay for an Extra Day?

It is the last day of your long-awaited vacation. And you think, I’d just love another day. Or you’re a grandparent hosting the out-of-town grandchildren. And when it’s time for them to leave...

They Cry in Silence Sep/Oct 2008

At least 30 serious instances of persecution of Christian believers have occurred over a one-month period, reports Compass Direct News. Attacks, arrests, incarcerations, rapes, treason charges, destruction of church properties, blasphemy charges...

Israel: Still the Apple of God’s Eye Part Three

Today we live in what Jesus referred to as the “times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24). The entire world lies under Gentile domination and has done so since the Babylonians destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem...

Why Tabernacles is Important for You!

Sukkot, or Tabernacles, begins this year on October 13 at sundown, five days after Yom Kippur, and commemorates God’s provision and protection of the Jewish people during their 40-year trek through the wilderness.

Solomon’s Fall from the Lord

The First Commandment proclaims, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). To that end, God’s Word provides instructions to light our paths and help us live. One of those instructions for believers...

Uzziah’s ‘Deadly’ Sin

History and literature often speak of the “seven deadly sins”: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. The Bible also lists seven sins and calls them “an abomination” to God: “a proud look...

The Most Sacred Day

The most sacred day in the Jewish High Holy Days observance is Yom Kippur. Held in the fall, it is the sixth of the seven observances recorded in Leviticus 23. The words Yom Kippur mean...

The Inner Peril

Often it seems that the good kings of Judah had bad sons, and the bad kings had good sons. Most noteworthy of this perplexing phenomenon were good King Hezekiah—undeniably one of the most spiritually virile...

From Sin to Mount Moriah

God’s purposes are not thwarted by our sin. God used Jacob’s stubbornness to raise up the 12 tribes of Israel. He used Israel’s failure under the theocracy in the time of the judges to bring...

Avoiding the Sinkhole

Well begun is half done,” says the old adage. But we should be dedicated to finishing strong. The apostle Paul ran the race of life in order to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24).

Christ is Superior to Moses

Hebrews 3:1–19: Moses is a dominant figure in Israel’s history. Of all the Old Testament leaders, there is none greater. He is described as “the man of God” and “the servant of the Lᴏʀᴅ” (Dt. 33:1; 34:5).

God Is Moral Part Eighteen

The Bible records several examples of people who were victims of reviling, abusive speech. The prophet Jeremiah was one. His enemies said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah...

A Time to Blow the Shofar

Modern Judaism calls the fifth of seven observances recorded in Leviticus 23 Rosh Hashanah. The words mean “head of the year.” And the holiday—which begins at sundown on September 29—is considered a New Year...

Israel in the News Sep/Oct 2008

Apparently Harvard graduate Barack Obama has trouble with the English language. Or he says one thing when he speaks to Jewish people and another when he speaks to CNN.

Zvi Sep/Oct 2008

A while ago I had a long conversation with our Arab neighbors here in Jerusalem. They came to me to convince me that they are holy people who are more humane than we.

Daily News from Israel

Israel Delivered a SURPRISE This Weekend!

Early Saturday morning the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes in Iran. What was the result, and how does this change the future...

News Digest — 10/29/24

The Israeli government took the extraordinary step Monday (28th) of convening its weekly Cabinet meeting in a fortified underground facility in Jerusalem...

News Digest — 10/28/24

A truck rammed into a crowded bus stop on a major highway north of Tel Aviv Sunday morning (27th), leaving 1 dead and dozens wounded...

News Digest — 10/25/24

Israeli air defenses intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Lebanon on Friday (25th), off the coast, south of Haifa...

News Digest — 10/24/24

Israeli strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus and a military site near the western city of Homs early on Thursday (24th)...

FBI Investigating Leak of Israel’s Plans

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced it “is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents” pertaining to Israel’s planned...

News Digest — 10/23/24

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) intercepted two rockets fired from Lebanon that crossed into Israeli territory, the IDF reported Wednesday morning (23rd)...

What Was in Sinwar’s Underground Bunker?

Last week, Yahya Sinwar was killed by IDF forces in Rafah. Find out the conditions of the Hamas leader’s living arrangements underground!

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