Category: ‘Tuesday Challenge’

Artificial Intelligence or Authoritative Inspiration?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2026]

By way of a one-off experiment I asked AI the question: “What would be a suitable topic for a reflection during next week?” It suggested that I should look at the words of Jesus as recorded in the Biblical book of Matthew, chapter 11.

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’
Matthew 11 v28-30 [NIVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

A Hot Topic

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

And when the south wind blows, you say, “It’s going to be hot,” and it is.
Luke 12 v55 [NIVUK]

In the northern hemisphere the longest daily period of daylight hours has passed and, although we may not notice it yet, the evenings are starting their slow transition to winter darkness.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Problems, or Opportunities?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Exodus 16 v35 [NIVUK]

Last week we looked at some ‘postcards’ that showed the progress of the Children of Israel as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan, as recorded in Numbers chapter 33. Closer examination reveals that the list of locations is not so dry as a journey in the wilderness might suggest.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Postcards from the Wilderness

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey.
Numbers 33 v1-2 [NIVUK]

The 33rd chapter of the book of Numbers is, at first glance, one of those passages where we might wonder why it is included in the Bible. Of the 56 verses in the chapter no less than 41 are simply statements describing the Israelites leaving one place and arriving in another. So what can we learn from a travelogue from the 14th century BC?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Essential Service

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water-carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.
Joshua 9 v27 [NIVUK]

Last week we considered the implications of making promises from the perspective of the promise maker; our case study was based on the incidents recorded in the book of Joshua, chapters 9 and 10. However, the relationship between the Israelites and the Gibeonites did not end with the former rescuing the latter in a memorable and miraculous battle.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Promises, Promises

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.
Joshua 10 v9 [NIVUK]

In 1405BC, the route from Gilgal (near Jericho in the Jordan River valley) to Gibeon (in the central Judean highlands) was a gruelling, uphill march of approximately 15 to 20 miles. So why did Joshua do it? And who are ‘them’?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys