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Good point. I think a lot of Samaritans lived in the northern part of Israel, too, and they were a mixed race with the Israelites. Your idea got me thinking about what actually happened to the "lost ten tribes of Israel?" There is a lot of speculation because the details are scarce. Since the...

Happy New Year, Magenta - I'm enjoying time with family in Sarasota, Fla. and pray you've had a blessed holiday season as well! My conversion took place when I was 21, but I certainly had my taste of living a rebellious and rough life as a teenager. Unfortunately, even after conversion, I still...

The "pursuit of the wind" is another way of expressing the "vanity" of life in separation from God. It's also described as "a chasing after the wind," "worthlessness," and "no profit under the sun." The pastor I referenced who gave that great sermon about Ecclesiastes said God gives us two...

The epistle of James was written around A.D. 45 and is attributed to the brother of Jesus, who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Martin Luther was not a fan of this book and called it "an epistle of straw" that was not in the same caliber as the epistles of Paul or the rest of the Bible...

I heard an excellent sermon a number of years ago that focused on the book of Ecclesiastes, and the pastor noted that James is an excellent complimentary epistle to Ecclesiastes. Both books fall within the category of "wisdom literature" with their short maxims that emphasize properly living a...

Repentance is a way of life as Christians from my point of view. No matter how "well" I'm doing at living out and sharing the gospel, sin is at the core of my corrupt nature. When it comes to the surface, I need to immediately address it by asking for forgiveness and God's help to avoid giving...

Amen. Rationalizing our bad behavior and sins does not reconcile us with God. In fact, it can easily lead in the opposite direction because in essence I'm saying, "I don't need you, God. I can figure it out on my own, and my sins aren't nearly as bad as what so-and-so did." That is a dangerous...

Galatians 4:4-5 New King James Version 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Thank you for creating this forum, brother! Merry...

Psalm 89:1-4, 14-15, 26-29 New King James Version 1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I...

Acts 13:17-24 New King James Version 17 The God of this people [a]Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with [b]an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the...

Luke 2:29-32 New King James Version 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your...

No doubt, brother! I love Luke's more detailed account of events leading up to Jesus' birth, and the interaction between Gabriel and Mary is remarkable: Luke 1:26-38 New King James Version Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a...

My three favorite Christmas songs are: 1. White Christmas (especially Bing Crosby's rendition) 2. Silent Night (Bing Crosby's version, too - what an awesome voice!) 3. O Come All Ye Faithful (Celine Dion is pretty cool, also) My three favorite Christmas movies are: 1. White Christmas (yep...

These are my favorite Christmas verses. They summarize what Christmas should be all about - Jesus Christ. As quoted by @Pilgrimshope : And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the...

Great point - love it! It is fun to speculate a little, though. And, God gives us plenty of mysteries to wonder about...super cool!

@cv5 posted some interesting reference material related to the ideas above in the forum below, starting with post#5: https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/the-author-and-date-of-the-book-of-job.209493/

This question also touches on how old the earth and universe are, and how long did it actually take for the continents as an example to drift/float into their current locations? From a scientific perspective, the process took millions to billions of years. I just did a quick search to see what...

I've seen estimates for Job's life spanned ~230 years or so. "After this Job lived one hundred and forty years..." (Job 42: 16). Even with a conservative estimate, the "after this" as in after he went through this trial he lived an additional 140 years. He was a mature adult with grown up...

I've always appreciated your down-to-earth postings, Pilgrim! This one put a smile on my face with your "muchacho" and "amigo" references. Job strikes me as a "simple man" like the two of us who are trying to muddle our way through this challenging life as best we can. And, I think you're...

Great discussion, gentlemen. Thanks for chiming back into this forum, brother. I always appreciate your insights and the resources you share.