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Dark Valleys and the Good Shepherd Logan Runnalls introduces Into the Valley: Spiritual Reflections on Depression with these words: “The following is a series of explorations into my depression and my healing. It is part confession and part question. This is my heart as I know it. There are no new secrets to success revealed in this book.

The Mountain of the Lord, Part 1 In the north garden at the United Nations in New York City stands a sculpture entitled, “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares.” A gift from the former Soviet Union, this bronze artwork was created in 1957 by Evgeniy Vuchetich. It shows a blacksmith hammering a sword into a plow, “symbolizing man’s desire to...

Greater than Moses The importance of the person of Moses to all of Israelite history cannot be overstated. He was the faithful messenger of God, the instrument through which the Law was given, and the one who established the Levitical priesthood. One ancient Jewish text describes Moses as “equal in glory to the holy ones.” Yet, just as the...

The Danger of a Hard Heart Many Old Testament passages provide a correspondence between ancient Israelite figures and events and Christian realities and experiences. In today’s reading, the Israelite experience in the Exodus and Wilderness is depicted as a significant type for the Christian journey itself. Just as Moses led the Israelites...

The Promised Sabbath Rest Many people joke that they need a vacation after their vacation! They arrive home, weary from the exhaustion and challenge of travel—but instead of much-needed rest, they are met with a yard needing attention, an air conditioner needing repair, and grocery shopping needing done. The hoped-for rest still lies in the...

Melchizedek the Priest Most Jews expected the promised Messiah to be from the royal line of David, a reasonable conclusion based on the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). Psalm 110, a psalm of David, was read as a promise about the Messiah’s kingly reign. But that psalm also describes the Messiah as a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”...

Christ’s Superior Priesthood, Part 1 Many consumers prefer it when an expensive purchase is backed by a warranty. With a guarantee, the consumer has more confidence the purchase will last. We find a similar logic in today’s reading. While the old Levitical priesthood was appointed without an oath, Christ’s priesthood came with a divine promise...

The Need for a New Covenant In the ancient Near East, a covenant was used to establish the relationship between two parties. In it, the suzerain (or lord) promised protection and blessing, while the vassal (or servant) promised obedience and loyalty. For Israel, the Mosaic covenant was the binding relationship between God and His people.

The Finality of Christ’s Sacrifice All the way back in Hebrews 5:11, the author introduced the topic of Jesus’ priesthood and sacrifice and warned, “We have much to say about this.” Indeed he did! Five chapters later, we have finally come to the end of that extended argument. Fittingly, it concludes with an emphasis on the finality of Christ’s...

A Call to Faith At a sports league Hall of Fame, visitors can learn about the history of the sport, see memorabilia such as old balls and equipment, and acknowledge the accomplishments of the players and coaches who are honored for their exceptional achievements. In a similar way, Hebrews 11 offers its own list of exceptional men and women...