Topical Studies
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Gaza in History and Prophecy
The region of Gaza has long stood at the crossroads of history. Located on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Israel, Gaza was part of the Philistine pentapolis, as mentioned in the Old Testament. Its territory frequently clashed with Israel’s inheritance, and its cities became symbols of opposition to God’s people. The prophets pronounced judgments…
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Mount Sinai — Saudi Arabia or Sinai Peninsula?
Few locations in the Bible spark as much debate as the true site of Mount Sinai, where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and Israel. Traditionally identified with Jebel Musa in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, some researchers argue instead for Jebel al-Lawz in northwest Saudi Arabia. The question is not merely geographical—it touches history, archaeology,…
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Assyria in Prophecy: Biblical References and Modern Connections
Assyria was one of the most powerful empires of the ancient Near East, dominating from the ninth to the seventh centuries BC. The Bible records Assyria’s rise, its role in disciplining Israel, its arrogance, and its eventual downfall. Beyond history, the prophets also use Assyria symbolically and eschatologically, connecting its story to God’s broader purposes…
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Moabites, Edomites, and Israel: Ancient Enemies and Prophetic Lessons
The Moabites and Edomites were two of Israel’s closest neighbors, both geographically and genealogically. Descended from Lot and Esau, these peoples shared kinship with Israel yet often lived in hostility toward them. Throughout the Old Testament, Moab and Edom appear in stories of conflict, uneasy alliances, and prophetic warnings. Their history with Israel sheds light…
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Ancient Tribal Divisions of Israel and Modern Middle East Boundaries
The conquest and settlement of the land of Canaan under Joshua was one of the defining moments in Israel’s history. The book of Joshua details the victories that secured the land, while the book of Judges records the challenges of an incomplete conquest. Each tribe received a unique allotment of territory, not merely by human…
