By Sam E. Stone Today’s text is one most readers associate with the Christmas season. It pictures the coming of Jesus (the Messiah) into the world. Today we see it is also a prophecy that goes back long before that. To the original audience—the people to whom Isaiah spoke—it simply meant hope for the […]
Jehoshaphat makes judicial reform–The Uniform Lesson for July 29
By Sam E. Stone King Jehoshaphat was one of the more godly kings in the time of the divided kingdom. He ruled Judah around 873-848 BC, succeeding his father, Asa, on the throne (2 Chronicles 17:1). The writer declares, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his […]
Practice justice–The Uniform Lesson for June 3, 2012
By Sam E. Stone In the three summer months we will focus attention on an important theme throughout Scripture—justice. The lessons will include highlights from 12 Old Testament books. They make it plain that God is concerned that his people be consistent in practicing his kind of justice in our very wicked world. The […]
The good shepherd–The uniform Lesson for May 13
By Sam E. Stone In the Old Testament, God’s relation to the Hebrew people was often compared to that of a shepherd and his sheep (Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:31). It is not surprising to find that Jesus used the same illustration (Luke 15:3-6). Today’s lesson is taken again from John’s Gospel. The setting is […]
Samaritan woman finds living water–The Uniform Lesson for April 22
By Sam E. Stone Early in Jesus’ ministry he reached out to those ignored or snubbed by others. The Samaritans were such a group. Considered “half-breeds,” these were the children of Jews who had intermarried with pagans. Many from the Northern Kingdom were exiled years before, but some remained in the land. They married […]
