Rebellion

Evil only seems to be winning - Psalms 2:1 – 2:12 (commentary)

One of the most serious problems in the world today is noise pollution. How can we make sense out of all the noise in our world today? Psalm 2 helps us solve this important problem. Have you ever wondered why it seems like God lets evil go unpunished? Evil seems to be winning the world over. In this psalm we are reminded that God is still in control.

Rebellion at the end of the Millennium - Revelation 20:7 – 20:10 (commentary)

Satan will be released at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth. He will find plenty of followers (“as the sand of the sea” v. 8) who will produce a worldwide rebellion against Christ. This host of followers of Satan will converge on Jerusalem which …

Israel refuses to enter Canaan - Numbers 14:1 – 14:10 (commentary)

After the the twelve men returned from Canaan and said there were giants in the land, the people cried all night and complained to Moses and Aaron, “ We wish we had died in Egypt or somewhere out here in the desert (vv. 1-2)! Why does the Lord bring us to this land to fall b …

The rebellion of Korah - Numbers 16:1 – 16:22 (commentary)

The most critical event of the years of wandering was the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses and Aaron.  Miriam’s and Aaron’s envy against Moses before the pronouncement of judgment at Kadesh was mild compared to this rebellion stirred up by Korah (vv. 1-35). W …

The Destruction of Shechem - Judges 9:30 – 9:41 (commentary)

The central theme of this event shows how the Lord dealt in history with those who dared to transgress His moral laws. Abimelech had made his home at a fortress five miles southeast of Shechem. He had put Zebul, one of his officials in charge of Shechem. A new leader by the nam …

Saul Pleads for Forgiveness - I Samuel 15:16 – 15:35 (commentary)

In these verses Samuel tells Saul that he has a message for him from the Lord and Saul tells him to speak (v. 16). Samuel goes on to tell him that the Lord anointed him king over Israel (v. 17) and sent him on a mission to destroy the Amalekites until they were all killed (v. 18) …

The Sword Sharpened - Ezekiel 21:8 – 21:17 (commentary)

This passage explains how the sword was sharpened (vv. 8-17). It is a poetic song of judgment and the theme is that God’s sword was sharpened, ready for slaughter. The song has three stanzas: The first stanza explains how God’s sword was sharpened with a whetstone to giv …

The Balances of Deceit - Hosea 12:1 – 12:14 (commentary)

Before developing the themes of guilt and judgement (12:9-13:16), Hosea reminds Israel of its unfaithfulness (vv.1-2), and of its need to repent (vv. 5-6). In doing so he draws a lesson from the life of Jacob (vv. 3-4). Much like the people of our day the people of Hosea’s …

When Preaching Trumps Praying - Jeremiah 7:16 – 7:20 (commentary)

God’s admonition to Jeremiah, “Do not pray for this people,” is the result of serious rebellion on their part (v. 16). They are seen worshiping false gods and making sacrifices to them. God commanded that prayer cease, but that preaching continue. If you read th …

It is Dangerous to Take Sides Against God’s Man - Jeremiah 29:15 – 29:32 (commentary)

The people disbelieved Jeremiah’s message because it contradicted the message of the false Jewish prophets in Babylon (vv. 15-19). Evidently these prophets were proclaiming the safety of Jerusalem and the swift return of those in captivity. Jeremiah shattered their optim …