Repentance
Trial Before Annas - John 18:15 – 18:27 (commentary)
It is evident that two of Jesus’ disciples had followed the Lord and His enemies across the Kidron Valley into the city of Jerusalem and into the courtyard of the High Priest. One of these disciples was Simon Peter and the other one is unknown. Many think it was John (v. 15). It has been ...
The Preparation of The Messiah - Matthew 3:1 – 3:6 (commentary)
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life here on earth he skips over the next 30 years or so and picks up with an introduction of John the Baptist (vv. 1-6). We find John preaching in the Judean wilderness which is along the western shore of the Dead Sea. He was a son of Zacharias and …
The Greatness of God - Nehemiah 9:1 – 9:8 (commentary)
The Feast of the Tabernacles ended, but the people lingered to hear the Word of God. The events of this chapter occurred two days after the end of the Feast of the Tabernacles. It was a day of fasting and mourning (v. 1). The wearing of sackcloth and the placing of earth on their …
A Prayer For General Prosperity - Psalms 51:14 – 51:19 (commentary)
The sin question needs to be dealt with on spiritual and not ceremonial terms. With his sin confessed and forgiven, David is ready to live a changed life for his Lord. His first responsibility is to teach transgressors the ways of God so as to prevent their making the same mistak …
The Repentance of Israel - Judges 10:10 – 10:18 (commentary)
Under heavy persecution from the Ammonites, the tribes of Israel began to pray for grace and confessing their wrong doings (v. 10). They put away all the foreign idols to serve the Lord. The Lord spoke sternly to His people (vv. 11-14). He reminded them of how He had granted them seven ...
The Ninevites Repent - Jonah 3:1 – 3:10 (commentary)
The Lord in His grace and mercy speaks to Jonah a second time (v. 1). Despite his previous unfaithfulness, Jonah is given a second opportunity to carry out his work for the Lord. The command given to him in (v. 2) is essentially the same as that given to him in 1:2. It reveals God’s ...
The People of Nineveh Believe - Jonah 3:5 – 3:10 (commentary)
In these verses we see the consequence of obedience. Repentance (vv. 5-9) - These verses record the response that Jonah’s message received. The people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth. When the message came to the king’s attention he even …
The Message of John - Luke 3:1 – 3:14 (commentary)
This passage gives us precise historical information about the secular leaders of that day and specifically brings before us the baptism of John the Baptist and his message of repentance (vv. 1- 6). Luke tells us exactly when John began his ministry. It was in the fifteenth …
Repent or Perish - Luke 13:1 – 13:9 (commentary)
Twice in this passage Jesus repeated identical words to reinforce the necessity of repentance (vv. 3- 5). Calamity and destruction await all who refuse to heed the warning. He uses two examples of how calamity can happen to anyone. The first told about was some Galileans who, …
Turning Back to The Lord - Hosea 14:1 – 14:9 (commentary)
Hosea called for repentance (vv. 1-3) and God promised restoration (vv. 4-8). God had to punish Israel for its gross and repeated violation of His law, but He would do so with a heavy heart. The preceding chapters have painted a very drab picture (v. l). Now the prophet instructs them to return ...
Jeremiah Pleads For The People - Jeremiah 14:13 – 14:22 (commentary)
Jeremiah pleads for the people and excuses their actions on the basis of the false prophets who cried for peace (v.13). God answers that the prophets will be judged, but that still does not excuse the people (v. 14). He says that by sword and famine those prophets shall be consum …
Job’s Repentance And Restoration - Job 42:1 – 42:17 (commentary)
This chapter contains Job’s final words. He humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged His power and justice in everything (vv. 1-2). Throughout the book, Job’s friends had asked him to admit his sin and ask for forgiveness. In this chapter, Job repents but ironic …
A Call to Repentance - Joel 2:12 – 2:17 (commentary)
No doubt you have heard it said that man’s extremities are God’s opportunities. Before such an invincible army their only hope was to turn immediately to the Lord in genuine repentance. The Jews in Joel’s day were called upon to turn to God with all their hearts. The s …
Judah’s Plea For Benjamin - Genesis 44:18 – 44:34 (commentary)
One of the brothers, Judah, who had told their father that he would be responsible for Benjamin steps forward and begs Joseph to be allowed to stay in Benjamin’s place. He tearfully tells Joseph that their old father Jacob will die if anything happens to Benjamin. This was certa …
The Blessing Of a Repentant Generation - Leviticus 26:40 – 26:46 (commentary)
God is faithful to His Covenant even though Israel broke their covenant with Him. Although God will chasten His rebellious people, He does not utterly cast them off. When they repent of their sin, God remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and they are delivered fr …