Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

Songs to Live By

How do we balance the requirements of daily life with the calling and commandments of our Redeemer? Maybe we don't, unless we work together.   
Deuteronomy 32:1-52; 2 Samuel 22:1-51; Acts 15:13-21; Romans 11:16-29, 12:1-2; Revelation 15:1-4
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Songs to Live By
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zechariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, December 2020. Listen to the complete audio on Youtube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=vKopeC8vYBA3Z0y5. 
Photo: Guitar lessons, by Holly Webster, July 5, 2012, via Flickr.

Ruling as a Slave, or Serving as a King?

There's an irony in our redemptive adoption as children of Abraham: we become part of the family God Himself chose to be chief among the nations, and yet our Messiah teaches us not to desire rulership, but service. Actually, Messiah's instruction is consistent with what God has always taught in His Torah. So how well have we applied that lesson?   
Genesis 21:1-22:24; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10; Jeremiah 31:1-20; Galatians 3:29, 4:21-31
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Ruling as a Slave, or Serving as a King?
Music: "Stranger,” Solomon O. Lopez, The Born At Home Collections, The Hebraism Project 2014. To hear more of Solomon’s music, visit The Hebraism Project on YouTube. 
Photo: Father and Son, ca. 1865. Photo by Alan Davey, July 27, 2021, via Flickr.

The Power of a Promise Kept

We claim to be standing on the promises of God, but do we know what promises we are claiming? Where do we find them? Are they actually made to us? What do we do if the fulfillment of those promises is happening in ways we have trouble seeing or comprehending?
Deuteronomy 29:10-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9; Romans 3:1-4 
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: The Power of a Promise Kept
Music: "Trust & Believe,” Exodus Road Band, Hard Rain, Exodus Road Band 2018. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/. 
Photo: We kept our promises to our daughters, both for ordinary daily things and for special events like a trip to the zoo. That's how they learned who to trust in an untrustworthy world. (Photo by The Barking Fox, October 1995.)

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe

Scripture tells us that Messiah's followers are to take part in His sufferings. It's His example of righteous obedience and perseverance in a world that is far from righteousness. What we miss, though, is that this example of our Messiah is not only something we emulate as individuals, but as the nation He has called out of all nations. 
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:9; Isaiah 60:1-22; Jeremiah 30:8-25, 31:31-34; Acts 14:22; Ephesians 2:8-13; Hebrews 8:8-12
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Contemplations on the Tree of Woe
Music: "Man of Sorrows,” Celtic Worship, Homeward, Oak Ridge Records 2019. See the video at https://youtu.be/uBLp_M5FfbI?si=kh6UBSRqsMeJNuJo. Celtic Worship’s music is available at https://celticworship.co.uk/. 
Photo by Oliver Dodd, March 30, 2013, via Flickr.

Do Not Climb On The Lion

People do dumb things. That's why rules, regulations, and laws are made. If people didn't do dumb things, we wouldn't need to regulate behavior. That's why it's a good idea to learn what our Creator says about how to live in harmony with each other and our environment. 
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19; Isaiah 54:1-10; Matthew 7:12, 20:25-28
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Do Not Climb On The Lion
Music: "Create in Me,” Solomon O. Lopez, The Born At Home Collections, The Hebraism Project 2014. To hear more of Solomon’s music, visit The Hebraism Project on YouTube. 
Image: Photo by Stewart Black, Bath, England, July 21, 2010, via Flickr.

About That Foreign King

Is it really a bad idea for a nation to select a foreigner as their leader? Yes, it is. That's why not only the Bible, but the US Constitution and the basic laws of many nations forbid foreigners from taking office as ruler or head of state. So how does that apply to the Kingdom of Heaven?
Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9; Isaiah 51:12-53:12; Matthew 23:1-3; Acts 15:12-21; Hebrews 2:14-18
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: About That Foreign King
Music: "God Save the King” and “Hatikvah,” National Anthems of the United Kingdom and Israel, United States Navy Band, National Anthems, 1997. 
Image: George I (1660-1727) was the first German king over the English-speaking peoples of Great Britain. Portrait by Georg Wilhelm Lafontaine, c. 1720-27, The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Royal Collection Trust #RCIN 405247.

Divided Capital, Divided Hearts

A national capital city is the symbol of a nation and the focus of its citizens. When that city is divided, or discarded and forgotten by the citizens, then the nation is in danger of losing its identity. That's why God commands His people not to forget His capital city.   
Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17; Isaiah 54:11-55:5; 1 Kings 8:22-53; Psalm 122:6; 132:13-18; Matthew 5:33-37; John 10:16, 17:1-26; Revelation 21:9-27
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Divided Capital, Divided Hearts
Music: "We Want to Go Home (Feat. Ross)," Mason Clover, The Isaiah 43 Project, Abiron Records 2011. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.masonclover.com/. 
Photo: A view over the Berlin Wall into East Berlin, August 1983, by Père Ubu, via Flickr.

Outsourcing Government

When we talk about "spiritual maturity," we usually think about how God's people grow spiritually as they learn the Bible and apply its truths to their lives. That's a familiar concept when we apply it to individuals, but does it apply to communities as well?  
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22; Isaiah 1:1-27; 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Ezekiel 20:27-38; Acts 18:12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-7
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Outsourcing Government
Music: "Psalm 25," Exodus Road Band, Heart of the Matter, Exodus Road Band 2017. See the official video on Youtube at https://youtu.be/kHJa7W2Vqlo. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/. 
Photo: Entrance to the Catawba Indian Reservation, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Photo by The Barking Fox, July 9, 2023.