Ancient Words, Modern Message

Sadly, there are those who maintain that the God of the Bible is a God of vengeance and wrath who seems to enjoy condemning and punishing people.  This could not be any further from the truth, as expressed in both the Old and New Testaments.   Ezekiel 33:11—Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. ....

The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah reminded the Jewish people of his day that God’s ways are very different from man’s ways as God spoke through him declaring:   For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)   Nowhere is thi...

Arguably one of the more flawed characters in the Old Testament Scriptures is the prophet Jonah who, in the candid words of some commentators, appears in the text, “warts and all.” While we would expect that a “man of God” would always respond obediently to God’s call, immersing himself in prayer, Jonah is the antithesis of this expectation as he runs away from the divine call of duty and uses pra...

In 1968 Frank Sinatra recorded a song which quickly became his signature musical theme.  It was an immediate hit and was later recorded and released by Elvis Presley with similar reception by listeners around the world.  No doubt the song’s rapid climb and enduring presence on the charts, including induction of Sinatra’s version to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000, was due to the compatibility of t...

The autumn of each year is a very important time for Jewish people around the world as they observe one of the most festive days on their religious calendar, followed shortly by the most solemn day on their religious calendar.   In this episode of “Ancient Words, Modern Message,” Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship, invites listeners to put a “shmear” of cream cheese on a bagel...

The title of this six-part series of studies in the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, “True Grit, Great Glory,” is a spin-off from the 1969 film, “True Grit,” starring John Wayne in the role of Rooster Cogburn, the living embodiment of “true grit,” getting the job done, no matter how difficult.   Arguably the best example of “true grit” in the Old Testament Scriptures is the prophet Ezekiel who “got...

There may not be many folks within the sound of my voice who are old enough to remember the television western series, “Death Valley Days,” but I am! The series, first aired in 1952, was set in what has been identified as the hottest place on earth in the summer, a place where dry, lifeless, parched bones are scattered, a reminder of the irreversible nature of death. It was to such a place that th...

The Bible is replete with accounts of dramatic transformations of individuals, of which perhaps the most stunning is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Road to Damascus, thereafter known as the Apostle Paul.  In each case it can certainly be said that there was a “change of heart.”   While taken together, all of these accounts dealing with single individuals, are certainly astonishing and dem...

As parents of young children recognize, after sternly correcting and disciplining a son or a daughter, it is important to then provide a warm hug—literally, figuratively, or both—and the assurance of love, with a strong dose of encouragement.  This is the essence of “tough love.”   The sixth century B.C. Old Testament prophet Ezekiel—a truly stout-hearted man of true grit—pulled no punches in addr...

Of all of the Old Testament prophets—and they were indeed a colorful and “quirky” bunch—it can most certainly be said that the “quirkiest” and the “true-gritiest” of them all was Ezekiel!   In today’s study of the book of Ezekiel we consider the prophet’s address, not to the people, but to the very land of Israel, from his exile in Babylon.  We will note the God-ordained connection between the Jew...

Though all of the Old Testament prophets could aptly be described as “colorful,” arguably the one who stands out as the most “colorful,” or even the most “eccentric,” would be Ezekiel.   Long before the actor John Wayne displayed “true grit” in the 1969 movie by that name, this young priest, exiled from his beloved homeland to far-off Mesopotamia, boldly carried out God’s instructions to proclaim,...

In today’s edition of “Ancient Words, Modern Message” you are invited to join Roger Wambold for his sixth “Bagel-side Chat” as he draws our attention to the cycle of special days on the Jewish calendar commanded by God in Leviticus 23.  You may be surprised to learn that the observance of these times has a much deeper meaning than just the religious traditions of the Jewish people.   In fact, as t...

In God’s economy, great privilege demands great responsibility.   The Scriptures make it clear that the Jewish people are greatly privilege to be identified as “the Chosen People,” but with that great privilege has come great responsibility.   There are those who say that Israel’s failure to act responsibly, even to the point of not accepting Jesus as their Messiah, has resulted in their rejection...

Years ago there was an ad used by distributors of Coca-Cola based on the premise that their competitors were producing beverages which were false imitations of America’s favorite soft drink.  The ad referenced the prevalence of “phoniness” in the commercial world, popularizing the phrase:  “Coke:  It’s the REAL thing!” Without a doubt, there is a great deal of “phoniness” all around us, including...

Each year in the springtime nearly every Jewish family in the world gathers in their homes to celebrate Passover which begins with the traditional evening meal called the Seder.  Though there is great diversity within the Jewish community regarding their level of religious practice, Passover is one time when they are unified, moving together through the various components of the traditional Seder,...

In 1956 a young senator from Massachusetts named John F. Kennedy and co-author Ted Sorenson published a book entitled Profiles in Courage featuring the biographies of eight U. S. senators who demonstrated remarkable courage in standing for what they believed was right at crucial periods in United States history.  The book became an immediate bestseller and ultimately was awarded a Pulitzer Prize....

We don’t normally think of a farmer as one who writes poetry, which is why it is so surprising to learn that Amos,  the 8th century B.C. shepherd and farmer from Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, presented his entire prophetic announcement to the Northern Kingdom of Israel in poetic form.   In this third study in the series, “Amos:  Simple Man, Profound Message,” Roger Wambold discusses the u...

While a careful study of the Old Testament prophetic scriptures can sometimes appear to be a very daunting prospect, the richness of truth and relevance to us today make such a study well worth the time and effort.  So it is with this series of studies in the Old Testament book of Amos.     It has often been said that with privilege comes responsibility, and that is certainly evident in the Holy S...

In 2014 the Wambolds, Roger and Phyllis, began an informational and teaching ministry called “Shmooze, News, and Views.”  Over the years, “Shmooze” (as it is affectionately known) has grown numerically and in popularity, with over twenty churches represented in attendance.   Each session of Shmooze includes a Bible study, with most of the studies drawn from the Old Testament, including little know...

In our vast collection of personal memories, each one of us has some which are particularly meaningful for a variety of reasons.   In this Bagel-side Chat #4 Roger Wambold recalls two particularly meaningful memories of his many times spent in Israel, their relevance to the founding of the mission which he directs, and to the situation in which the Jewish people find themselves today.   Join us as...

The Bible is full of accounts of dramatic events involving the people of God, events in which God has displayed His unique character and power.  One of these events took place during the reign of the thirteenth king of the Southern Kingdom of Israel, King Hezekiah.     When it appeared that defeat and destruction at the hands of the mighty Assyrian army was inevitable, in response to the prayers o...

In 1980 country singer Mac Davis recorded a song he had written with the whimsical lyric:  “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.”  That record quickly climbed to the top of the charts, probably because it was so outrageous for anyone to claim to be perfect!    Nearly everyone is aware of his or her own flaws and imperfections, but the good news is that God delights in...

There are a number of time honored mottos which have been a great encouragement to Christians throughout the ages, among which is this one:  “Prayer changes things!”   While the Bible is full of instances in which “things” were “changed” by prayer, one of the most dramatic is found in the Old Testament record of the life and reign of King Hezekiah.   In this early part of a new year, perhaps more...

  While there is no certain answer regarding where the expression, “It’s lonely at the top,” came from, we do know that the expression, “The buck stops here,” was a sign that President Harry S. Truman kept on his desk in the oval office.   These are just two sayings having to do with leadership, but there are many, many more.   It is sometimes said that in a certain nation at a certain time in his...

Shalom, and thank you for tuning in to this podcast, “Ancient Words, Modern Message.”   I’m your host, Roger Wambold.   In facing the enormous challenges posed by the societal and spiritual decline of our day, it is natural to ask the question:  “What can I do, I am only one person and the task is so great.”   A man named Hanani was sent by God during a time of monumental crises of all types in th...