Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Daniel is given another vision about coming human empires. We see in this passage that even the greatest power of man pales in comparison to God's ultimate power (Daniel 8).

Samuel is frustrated when the Israelites ask for a king like the other nations. Despite his frustrations, Samuel heeds God and appoints Saul as the first king over Israel. Though Saul is initially reluctant to be crowned king, he rises to the occasion to rescue the city of Jabesh Gilead.

In this passage, God reveals to Daniel the coming imperial conquests that will befall the earth in the coming centuries. We see that unlike theirs, God's reign is from everlasting and that His foreknowledge proves that He is the preeminent King. Knowing this future, our present should be affected (Daniel 7).

When the Philistines attack, Israel resorts to bringing out the Ark of the Covenant to strengthen their battle. At the subsequent loss, the Ark is captured and the line of Eli is decimated. In Philistine territory, God wreaks havoc and sets in motion a realization that leads to a national repentance in Israel. So begins Samuel's national ministry.

Daniel finds himself thrown into the den of lions. It is there he finds the salvation of the Lord. We too see how God, Whose laws supersede those of man, continues to save His people even in the gravest of situations (Daniel 6).

As we open up the book of Samuel, we see the many ways that the pattern of the book of Judges extends into this era; and yet the rare occasions where that pattern is broken. When a barren woman looks to the Lord for compassion, God lets loose the beginnings of a new work in the nation of Israel.

The succeeding king, Belshazzar has forgotten what God has done in Babylon. He does not know the conclusions to which Nebuchadnezzar came concerning the God of Israel. We see that God cuts the time off and judges this king, having weighed his worth concerning the things of God (Daniel 5).

This concluding study through Judges follows four chapters of epilogue that exhibit the depth of Israel's departure from the way of the LORD. Beginning with a curse and a robbery, the book closes with a deadly civil war that leads to, at best, partial repentance.

When Nebuchadnezzar has another startling dream, he turns to Daniel for its interpretation. Daniel foresees Nebuchadnezzar's coming destruction in God's holy judgment. We learn how our inclination toward idolatrous glory robs us of the true satisfaction found in glorifying the one true God (Daniel 4).

We close the book on Jephthah and read the story of Samson. A lover of riddles, Samson himself is a bit of a riddle himself. His constant back and forth with the Philistines proves him to be undisputedly the best and worst judge we've seen thus far. His story, full of deceit, debauchery, and compromise becomes a bit of an allegory for the nation of Israel itself.

What do we do when we're faced with a controversial issue that flies in the face of our faith? We see from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that serving God publicly can lead to a type of change in the world that we couldn't fabricate if we tried (Daniel 3).

First, we begin with the seizure of power from Gideon's son Abimelech. After witnessing his rise and fall, we meet a few more judges before the rule of Jephthah, the Gileadite. Jephthah's tragedy sheds light upon how Israel sees their God and the depth of their decline.

When Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream, he threatens the lives of all his seers to divine the content and meaning of his dream. Daniel appeals to his God on behalf of the safety of his peers (Daniel 2:1-45).

At a time when Israel is being plundered by a nomadic race, the Angel of the Lord appears to the youngest son of a man of Menasseh. Gideon begins as a coward and dies a tyrant surrounded by idolatry and debauchery.

Daniel and his three friends find themselves taken captive into a pagan nation. We see Daniel's insurgency in the strangest places and boundaries proving that the true God is really the One in charge (Daniel 1).

After the death of Joshua, the Lord looks upon the Israelites and sees that they have turned their hearts away from Him. God delivers the Israelites up to warring nations. This passage includes the first four judges in Israel: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Deborah.

Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians by reminding them that his desire for them is their maturity. Although he isn't afraid to come to the Corinthians in authority, it's ultimately for their growth; not for their destruction (2 Cor 13:9-14).

The Israelites beyond the Jordan erect a memorial altar that nearly sparks a civil war. Joshua is ready to die and addresses the nation one last time.

Like a spiritual paternity test, Paul surveys the visible fruit in the Corinthians' lives to to determine whether they are truly God's spiritual children (2 Cor 13:5-8).

The remaining tribes are assigned their inheritance in the land by way of casting lots. Cities of refuge and Levitical cities are also assigned throughout the promised land and Joshua is given an inheritance. Lastly, we see that which perhaps may be the key verse in all of the book of Joshua, that not one of God's promises failed.

As with any loving father with his children, discipline is a component of Paul's relationship with the Corinthians. We see that Paul's use of correction is not punitive but loving and with the desire to see the church grow (2 Cor 12:19-3:4).

Although not all of the battles have not yet been fought, the Israelites see the division of the land as promised to them by God. Some Israelites, like Caleb, see this as a great opportunity for God to show His faithfulness. On the other hand, other Israelites, some entire tribes, fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land.

Paul compares his free ministry to the Corinthian church to parents' free service to their children. In this passage we learn about pastoral ministry as well as parenting (2 Cor 12:11-18).

As Israel's reputation for divine military prowess precedes them, the people of Gibeon trick the Israelites into a non-agression pact. The Israelites unwittingly enter into this alliance against God's direction, and yet they must honor this covenant. As such, they go into battle on behalf of the protection of the Gibeonites. God miraculously sees to the victory of this battle. The chapters proceed...

Paul begins to boast about his weaknesses and even cites a divine vision as a point of weakness (2 Cor 11:30-12:10).