Daily reflections

There's a repeated pattern in Exodus of the people complaining about how hard their lives are, and God stepping in to correct them or rescue them. It's as though they have to learn, after all their years of slavery, how to...

The Israelites had to cope with hunger and thirst in the desert, and they were not very patient. Now, though, there is another threat: a hostile tribe, the Amalekites, attack them. Moses stands on a hilltop with his arms outstretched...

The new nation of Israel is coming into existence, and its institutions have to be created from scratch. Everyone has questions, there's much to be decided and Moses feels he's the only one who can do it. He makes himself...

Exodus 19 depicts God as someone to be feared – not just in the sense of awe and respect, but in the sense of terror. The presence of God on Mount Sinai is life-threatening to all except his chosen mediators, Moses and Aaron...

After the terrifying display of God’s power and holiness that ends with the giving of the Ten Commandments, these last few verses of Exodus 20 are remarkably undramatic. An altar of earth seems nothing special. It is not...

In this chapter Paul is continuing his encouragement to the Corinthian Christians to be generous in their giving. His words are inspiring, but need to be read with care. When he says that 'the one who sows many seeds will...

In chapter 10, the tone changes. From writing a beautiful hymn to generosity, Paul becomes more combative. He is facing opposition from people who don't think he is a very impressive figure (verse 10) and are questioning his...

Paul's irritation at those who criticised his ministry sometimes boils over. This is one of those times – he is frustrated that the Corinthians are being led astray by smooth talkers who don't really grasp the heart of the...

We shouldn't, of course, think that Paul's life of discipleship was one of unrelenting suffering, as the previous chapter might suggest. Far from it: he was given visions of glory that sustained him in his discipleship.