A People of Hope

Is the Bible Pro Slavery (As Kevin Rudd would have you believe) and Anti- Women (As many feminists would argue), we suggest not and here is why.... :)

The beginning of a new section within 1 Peter (2:11-4:11), the emphasis is on Christians doing good for the sake of commending Christ to others around them. The first way this is expressed is in Christian's submitting themselves to Governments

The end of the first section of 1 Peter, Peter goes on to describe Christians as built upon Jesus in a radical way- he uses language of election, once exclusive to Israel, which now describes God's new people today. Today both Jews and non-Jews, who trust in the Lord Jesus, are God's treasured possession.

Peter has outlined the salvation his readers have, now he talks about living the saved life. Having been rescued by God the Father, through God the Son- God's children are to obey him in holiness, fear him with reverence and love one another- because they are eternal creatures now that God has given them new birth.

Before urging his readers to be Holy in the next section, Peter has more to say about their salvation- They are privileged to know things the Prophet's had longed to know and to see things that Angels long to see- the truth of Christ's suffering and Glory!

The second in our series on 1 Peter, Peter addresses the suffering of his readers by 1. Reminding them of th Ultimate reality and hope in Jesus they have which transcends their suffering, 2. exploring the reality and meaning of suffering, 3. Unpacking what a Christian attitude in a suffering world should look like.

A reflection on lessons learnt in some of the places Balaam appears throughout the Bible other than Numbers 22-24. We briefly visit and reflect on lessons from Numbers 31- What will we make of this God? Joshua 24:1-15 & Micah 6:1-8- Who will be first in our hearts? and 2 Peter 2:13-16 & Jude 11- Who will we learn from?

After God's great show of faithfulness to them, Israel show's great unfaithfulness to him