Oh I Get It!

Was Jezebel the wickedest witch or what?

Start by reading 1 Kings 21

Jezzie was a piece of work. When married to King Ahab, she killed off God's prophets, made Ahab build a temple for her false god, Baal, and scared even the godly Elijah with her threats. She once had a guy killed so Ahab could have his vineyard. Worst of all, she used things like a holy fasting day to trick people into doing her dirty work. But read on to 2 Kings. Jezebel got what she deserved.

 

More To Get You Thinking

If the temple was such a big deal, why didn't David get to build it?

Start by reading 1 Kings 5

The temple wasn't just a place to worship. The Israelites believed it was where God lived, so it was a huge honor to build it. But God kept David too busy making sure his people held onto their promised land. He didn't have time to oversee a big construction project. Now that there's peace, it's Solomon's job to build the temple, a house fit for the true King.

Why did there have to be so much violence in David's life?

Start by reading 2 Samuel 8

This is a hard one to understand. Remember way back in time, God promised Abraham that his descendants would own the land everyone was now fighting over. God gave David the job of making it happen. It seems horrible to us that soldiers had to die by the thousands, but look closely at verse 6: "The LORD gave David victory wherever he went." If David's army hadn't won, the ungodly nations would have destroyed God's people.

Why did God tell the people to celebrate the Passover?

Start by reading Exodus 12:1–11

For centuries, the Jewish people have been reminded of what God did for them in Egypt every time they celebrate the Passover. Jesus himself, the night before he died, observed the Passover. As part of the festival ritual, the people eat bitter herbs to remind them of the bitter years of being slaves. They eat bread made without yeast to bring to mind the people hurrying out of Egypt before their bread could even rise. Sacrificing a lamb recalls that the Israelites put lambs' blood over their doors so the Lord wouldn't destroy their firstborn.

Why don’t we get God-sightings like the burning bush anymore?

Start by reading Exodus 3:1–6

Jesus coming to earth was a definite God-sighting! He couldn’t have made it any clearer what we’re supposed to do: believe in him and love each other. But when Jesus ascended into heaven, he didn’t leave us to do that on our own. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you,” he said (Acts 1:8). Moses and his people didn’t have the Holy Spirit, so they needed big, miraculous signs. It is the Spirit whispering to us when suddenly we know what to do or say, and we’re not sure how it happened. When you have the Spirit leading you, who needs a burning bush?

Why didn't Jesus just strike his enemies dead when they talked so rudely to him?

Start by reading Matthew 27:29–31

As you may know, having people mock and tease and insult you in front of everybody is the worst. It was one of the many parts of God's plan for Jesus that's hard to understand. But really, which is more of an eyeopener — taking down a bunch of guys who have potty mouths, or rising from the dead? Which one saved us?