Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

I Have A Friend

Which is better: to see a person healed, or to help them bear up under constant suffering when the healing doesn't come?  
Job 31:1-40; Ezekiel 4:16; Matthew 9:20-22; John 5:2-9, 9:1-3, 17:15
Melancholy, Edvard Munch, 1892. National Museum of Norway, Oslo.
Music: "Stand By Me,” Ben E. King and The Drifters, Stand By Me, ATCO Records 1961.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: I Have A Friend.pdf
 

Worthless Things, or Abundant Mercy?

We might smile at Jonah's predicament in the great fish, but is there a lesson in that bigger-than-life tale that we might have overlooked?  
2 Kings 9:1-10, 14:23-27; Ezekiel 14:1-5; Hosea 11:1-7; Jonah 2:2-10, 4:1-10; Romans 11:20-24
Jonah Under the Miracle Plant, Jan van de Velde II, 1603-1641, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. 
Music: "Jonah," Zion Harmonizers, Thank You Lord, Sound of New Orleans 1996.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Worthless Things or Abundant Mercy.pdf
 

Poisoned Well, or Spring of Life?

It seems that all humanity has longed for an end to war and conflict. God promises a time when we won't learn war anymore, but in the meantime we hone our skills at conflict with every opportunity. Do we have to wait until the Kingdom comes to live in peace, or is there something we can do about that now?
Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 30:19; Jeremiah 2:13, 17:5-8; John 4:13-14
In None But the Brave, Japanese and American warriors find a way to suspend their hostility and work together to sustain life. (Warner Brothers 1965 Lobby Card, imaged by Heritage Auctions.)
Music: "Cool Water," Bob Nolan, performed by Vaughan Monroe and His Orchestra with The Sons of the Pioneers, RCA Victor 1948 (I've Heard That Song Before, Reader's Digest 2006).
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Poisoned Well or Spring of Life.pdf
 
 

Sleepwalking Into Eternity

One surprising thing about the human story is not that the world around us changes so often, but rather how rarely we notice the changes. The cares of each day tend to obscure the profound historical developments happening right in front of our eyes. Does that mean we're actually sleepwalking through life? 
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3; Micah 6:8; Matthew 7:21-23; John 21:22; Acts 1:7 
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Sleepwalking Into Eternity
Music: "Prodigal Son,” Cody Ryan Cribbs, Exodus Road Band, Prodigal Son, Exodus Road Records 2022. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/.. 
Picture: The Return of Rip Van Winkle, John Quidor, 1849 (Washington, National Gallery of Art).

Walking Like An Egyptian

Sometimes it takes extreme measures to get God's people to switch their focus from seeking peace in their current circumstances to seeking the Creator's intent for the next step in His plan of redemption.  
Exodus 1:22, 3:7-10; Psalm 116:15; Jeremiah 16:16-19; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 6:9-11
Israel In Egypt, Sir Edward Poynter, 1867. (Guildhall Art Gallery, London, via Wikimedia Commons.) 
Music: "Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles, Different Light, Columbia 1985.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Walking Like An Egyptian.pdf

Repenting For Nothing

No one wants to be like a dragon. That is, we don't admit - at least publicly - that a dragon is our role model. But then, did we ever stop to think how closely our most precious thoughts, desires, and dreams might resemble those of a dragon?  
Job 13:15-16, 41:1-34, 42:5-6; Isaiah 14:12-15, 27:1; 53:1-12; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 5:8-8; Revelation 12:1-17
Princess Tamatori retrieves a precious pearl from the Dragon King in this illustration of the medieval tale Taishokkan. (Vignette from The Great Woven Cap, Edo Period (1615-1868) Japan, Metropolitan Museum of Art.) 
Music: "Finlandia,” Jean Sibelius, Sir Adrian Boult and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 5, 6, & 7 Tone Poems, IndieBlu Music 2003.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Repenting For Nothing.pdf

What We Shall Be

We know the Kingdom of Heaven exists for eternity, but we don't know much about it yet. However, that hasn't stopped us from trying to figure out who will be there - or who won't be there. Maybe a better use of our time and energy would be getting to know the Eternal King and living in such a way that others would want to know Him as well.
Ezekiel 11:14-21; Matthew 15:24, 23:13; John 10:11-18; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 John 3:1-3
As the International Space Station orbits the earth (top), crew members Shane Kimbrough (USA) and Thomas Pesquet (France) work to install new roll out solar arrays (bottom). (NASA photo, 2021) 
Music: "Ice Station Zebra Overture,” Michel Legrand, Movie Themes From The Past, Soundtrack Classics, 2012.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: What We Shall Be.pdf

Respecting The Name

Do we believe the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable? If we do, then we should have no problem believing that promises and blessings He has bestowed from time immemorial are still in effect. But what does that mean in connection with reconciling estranged parts of our Creator's Covenant family?
Exodus 20:7; Numbers 6:22-27; Jeremiah 31:31-37, 46:27-28; Ezekiel 39:25-29; Luke 20:19-20; Galatians 3:29
"The High Priest of Israel,” illustration from The Jewish Tabernacle and Priesthood, George C. Needham, Library of Congress, 1874.) 
Music: "The Blessing Live,” Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, Graves Into Gardens Live, Elevation Worship 2020. Hear the complete song at Elevation Worship.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Respecting The Name.pdf