Events & History

This article explains the biblical event of Jacob's ladder, which occurred when Jacob fled from his brother Esau and stopped at a certain place to sleep. He dreamed of a ladder set up on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and angels of God ascending and descending on it. The Lord stood above the ladder and renewed the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob land, descendants, and blessing. Jacob called the place Bethel, meaning "House of God." This ladder is a type of Jesus Christ, who declared that Nathanael would see heaven open and angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

This article explains the biblical event of Joseph being sold into slavery by his own brothers. Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob, but his brothers hated him because of their father's favoritism and because of Joseph's dreams that foretold his future rule over them. They conspired to kill him, but Reuben persuaded them to cast him into a pit instead. While Reuben was absent, Judah suggested selling Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. This event, though evil in the brothers' intent, was used by God to preserve many people alive. It is a powerful type of Christ, who was betrayed for silver, rejected by His own, and sent to save many.

This article explains the biblical event of the burning bush, where God appeared to Moses in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. The bush burned with fire but was not consumed. Moses turned aside to see this great sight, and God called to him from the bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" He commanded Moses to remove his sandals, for the place where he stood was holy ground. God revealed His name, "I AM WHO I AM," and commissioned Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt. The burning bush is a type of Christ, who is the true "I AM," and a picture of God's presence in the midst of suffering without being consumed.

This article explains the biblical event of God's sovereign call of Abram (later named Abraham) out of Ur of the Chaldeans. God commanded Abram to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house to go to a land that He would show him. God made three promises to Abram: to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great. Most importantly, God promised that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed. This call is the beginning of the nation of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan that culminates in Jesus Christ.

This article explains the biblical event of creation, in which God spoke the universe into existence out of nothing in six literal days. This foundational event establishes God as the sovereign Creator of all things, distinct from His creation. The creation account reveals the triune God's power, wisdom, and goodness. It refutes all forms of atheism, polytheism, and evolution. The seventh day of rest establishes the Sabbath principle. All of redemptive history flows from this original act of creation.

This article explains the biblical event of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities in the plain of Jordan that God overthrew with fire and brimstone because of their extreme wickedness. Abraham interceded for the cities, asking the Lord to spare them if there were fifty righteous, then forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, and finally ten righteous. But not even ten righteous were found. Only Lot and his two daughters were delivered. Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. This event is a sobering warning of God's judgment against sin and a type of the final judgment of the wicked.

This article explains the biblical event of the fall of man, in which Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This single act of disobedience brought sin, death, and the curse upon all of creation. Adam, as the federal head of the human race, represented all mankind. Through his one sin, sin entered the world, and death through sin, spreading to all men because all sinned in Adam. The fall explains the universal condition of human depravity and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

This article explains the biblical event of the great flood in the days of Noah. Because the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, God determined to destroy all flesh with a flood of waters. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, being a just man and perfect in his generations. God commanded him to build an ark for the saving of his household. The flood destroyed every living thing on the face of the ground, but Noah and those with him in the ark were saved. This event serves as a type of baptism and a warning of the coming judgment by fire.

This article explains the biblical event of the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, also called Mount Horeb. Three months after departing Egypt, Israel camped before the mountain. God descended upon Mount Sinai in fire, smoke, thunder, and earthquakes. Moses went up to meet with God, and God spoke the Ten Commandments audibly to the people. The people were terrified and asked Moses to be their mediator. The law was given to reveal God's holy character, to expose sin, and to serve as a tutor to lead Israel to Christ. The event at Sinai is one of the most significant in the Old Testament, establishing Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

This article explains the biblical event of the sacrifice of Isaac, often called the Akedah (binding), in which God tested Abraham by commanding him to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeyed, rising early and traveling three days to the place God designated. As he raised the knife, the Angel of the Lord stopped him. A ram caught in the thicket was offered in Isaac's place. This event is one of the most profound types of Christ in the Old Testament. Isaac, the beloved son, carried the wood for his own sacrifice and was laid on the altar. God provided the substitute. Abraham received Isaac back as a type of resurrection.

This article explains the biblical event of the ten plagues that God poured out upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the children of Israel from bondage. Each plague was a demonstration of God's power over the false gods of Egypt and a judgment against Pharaoh's stubborn heart. The plagues included water turned to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn. The final plague, the Passover, resulted in the deliverance of Israel. The plagues reveal God's sovereignty, His judgment against sin, and His mercy toward His people.

This article explains the biblical event of the Tower of Babel, which occurred after the flood when all the earth had one language and one speech. Men gathered in the plain of Shinar and determined to build a city and a tower whose top would reach into heaven, seeking to make a name for themselves and prevent their dispersion. The Lord came down, confused their language, and scattered them abroad over the face of the earth. This event explains the origin of human languages, nations, and the dispersion of mankind.