Christian Worker
From the Director’s Desk (August 2024) – Trent Kennedy
As you know, we have been training servants for church work since 1978. It has been said that Southwest trains more than just preachers, and that is true. We have trained missionaries to Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. We have trained Bible Class teachers who labor week-in and week-out to teach in local congregations across Texas and other states. We have trained elders from San Angelo to San Antonio, from Texarkana to Burnet, and many places in between. We…
Ezekiel, Prophet Of The Captivity – Ronnie Scherffius
The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most magnificent books of the Old Testament. Yet, among the major prophets, it is generally the least considered. The time of Ezekiel spanned from the latter days of one of Judah’s greatest kings (Josiah) to exile with the captives in Babylon. The message of the prophet was two-fold, punishment for one’s own sin and the assurance of restoration because of God’s mercy and righteousness. The unique way in which Ezekiel presents God’s…
Lamentations – Carl McCann
In 154 verses Jeremiah pours out a heartfelt, tear-stained lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of God’s people into Babylonian captivity. For some 40 years Jeremiah had prophesied of the coming judgment of God through Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian kingdom (Jer. 1-29). Interestingly, Jeremiah refers to Babylon some 150 times in Jeremiah 20-52; but it is not mentioned in Lamentations. Jeremiah emphasizes God as the one who dealt with the sins of Judah (Lam. 2:17). In…
A Brief Dossier on Jeremiah – Andy Baker
As a matter of help for the average Bible student, let’s make a dossier as we examine a few things regarding Jeremiah the prophet to help us to know some elementary things about him, his relationship with God, and with God’s rebellious people. Who: Jeremiah, aka “The Weeping Prophet.” His father was Hilkiah was the priest (who found the Book of the Law in the temple in Josiah’s reign. 2 Kings 22). He was from the priest city of Anathoth…
The Life and Work of Isaiah – Adam Orr
The Holy Spirit inspired the beloved physician, Luke, to record the conversion of a man from Ethiopia. He was a treasurer returning home from Jerusalem on the road that led to Gaza. Philip ran to the chariot and found the man reading. When asked if he understood what he was reading, the man said, “How can I unless someone explains it?” And beginning at the Scripture, Philip taught him about Jesus and salvation found only in His name. What was…
Setting the Stage – Cody Westbrook
As far as we know the designation “major prophets” is attributed to the time of Augustin who referred to the “the twelve prophets who are called minor from the brevity of their writings” and “those who are called greater prophets because they published larger volumes.” The ancient Jews divided their bible into three major sections: Law, Prophets, and Writings. The Prophets were divided into the Former and Latter Prophets. The Septuagint rearranged the order and gave rise to the current…
From the Director’s Desk (July 2024) – Trent Kennedy
And they’re off! The Bible program trains men and women to work in the Kingdom; we equip them to be effective preachers, teachers, missionaries, and servants. The course takes nearly two full years, but SWSBS graduates have a solid foundation after they finish. SWSBS has been training Christians “to know Jesus and make Him known” since 1978. This year marked our 46th commencement exercise. Among the nine graduates, three of our ladies will marry SWSBS alumni and help with their…
Elisha, the Son of Shaphat – Kevin Cauley
God told Elijah to anoint Elisha “as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:16). He was a prophet of war who would “sweep up” after Jehu by killing those who opposed God (1 Kings 19:17; 2 Kings 13:3; 2 Kings 9:22). When Elijah called Elisha, he slaughtered his own oxen, burned the yokes to cook the meat, and fed the people (1 Kings 19:21). He would not return to the farm. Elisha’s persistence resulted in his being given a double…
Elijah, the Tishbite – Bill Burk
Elijah enters the stage of history mysteriously, with little introduction and no fanfare. Immediately, the text presents him as a man of prayer. James, the half-brother of the Lord, explains that Elijah, despite being a man like the rest of us, was able to use his powerful prayers to start and end a drought (1 Kings 171; Jas. 5:17-18). In the same chapter, he fervently petitioned the Lord to resurrect a widow’s son from the dead, and God granted his…
Micaiah, The Master’s Mouthpiece – Cody Kilgore
The Lord will de-mask the disguised, so we learn in Ahab’s attempted conquest for Ramoth-Gilead. In 1 Kings 22, Ahab, King of Israel, had orchestrated an attempt to regain the land he deemed as his own. With the aid of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and about 400 prophets, Ahab became emboldened. While the voice of Jehoshaphat declared that they inquire from the Lord (v. 5), Ahab’s preference remained upon his men. In fact, unsatisfied with the prophecy of the near…
Nathan, the Courageous Prophet – Chase Green
“Moral courage is higher and a rarer virtue than physical courage” (William Joseph Slim). The Bible contains many examples of people who acted courageously. I think of examples such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Daniel and his three friends in Babylon, and many others, including the prophets of the Lord. One of the prophets that exuded courage was Nathan. This prophet may not have written a book of the Bible, but we might say he “wrote the book on courage,”…
The Life and Work of Samuel – John Haffner
One of the most well-known among the non-writing prophets, Samuel was a judge over God’s people, the last leader of this sort for Israel. His mother, Hannah, prayed earnestly for a child and she dedicated him to the service of God at a very young age. Samuel trained under the high priest, and eventually grew to serve and to lead God’s people through pivotal times of conflict and transition. He consistently showed a dedication to the Lord and His truth.…