Lutheran Spokesman

Out of the Depths (Read Psalm 130) The writer of Psalm 130 was “in the depths.” Not simply a mild depression or temporary problem, but deep trouble, deep pain, deep heartache. In fact, the Hebrew word for depths in Psalm 130 is used in Isaiah 51 to describe the depths of the ocean. At times, […] Read More

[‘Going south’ is an idiom that generally alludes to directional maps, on which south is down. Thus, south means lower in value, or going into a bad or worsened situation.] I is not surprising that the great heroes of faith are also portrayed as great sinners. Such heroes were but sinner-saints with great weaknesses and […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “Remember the whole journey on which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you and to test you, in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. So he humbled you and allowed you to be […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Exodus 20:14 The Definition Our English word adultery is from the Latin word adulterare, meaning to corrupt. The Hebrew word used in the Sixth Commandment has a similar meaning; literally, to stain with a dye, and by extension, to defile. So adultery is a staining or defiling of God’s institution […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT 1967 saw the release of the WWII movie The Dirty Dozen. A rather recalcitrant U.S. army major (Lee Marvin) was given the task of recruiting, training, and leading twelve men on a suicide mission behind enemy lines. The dirty dozen were all convicted felons, slated for execution. But if the […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT It is likely that every person reading this article has studied the Ten Commandments in Luther’s Small Catechism. These Ten speak to us of divine requirements for daily living. The Hebrew word for commandment is mitzvah. This word is derived from a word meaning “to set up” or “set forth.” […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT 2 Kings chapter 25 tells of how Nebuchadnezzar and his army laid siege to Jerusalem. The situation became so desperate that King Zedekiah fled from the city. “But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and they overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his army was scattered from […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Read Psalm 27) Change is a part of life. In a real sense, change defines life. Every living thing is a changing thing. But as Christians, we never face change alone. The first six verses of Psalm 27 are brimming with confidence. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “What is truth?” So spoke Pontius Pilate. He was responding to Jesus’ declaration: “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) On the […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT King David did not have a carefree life. He often wrote of sorrow, tears, and loneliness in his psalms. Those same psalms, nevertheless, reveal deep faith. Whatever the circumstances of his troubled times, however intense and prolonged, David trusted God. David praised and thanked God in troubled times as well […] Read More