Blessing
Blessings of The Nations
God invites people in need to come to Him (vv. 1-2). By coming to the Lord people will have life and the benefits of God’s everlasting covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:11-16). The Lord promised that David’s line would continue forever (v. 3). The nations are to be under th …
The Lord Establishes a New Heaven And New Earth
All those that love and mourn for the Holy City are commanded to rejoice with Jerusalem (v. 10). The imagery of a mother nursing her baby with fresh milk is illustrative of the nations of the world that shall look once again to Jerusalem for spiritual nourishment (v. 11). It is during that time that she shall experience peace like a river and glory like a flowing stream (v. 12). God is compared to a mother who comforts …
Elizabeth Gives Birth to John
John the Baptist is born, circumcised and named (vv. 57-66). The record of John’s birth is given (v. 57). The arrival of the babe was in exact fulfillment to Gabriel’s prophecy and caused wide-spread joy. Eight days after the birth of John, he was to be circumcised in accor …
Jacob Blesses Ephraim And Manasseh
The news came to Joseph one day that his father was very sick. He immediately laid aside his affairs of state, took his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and hurried to see his father (v. 1). Jacob sat up in bed and when Joseph presented his two sons to him the aged patriarch prono …
Joseph’s Family Settles in Goshen
All the brothers with their families and flocks settled down in the land of Goshen. Joseph introduces them to Pharaoh (vv. 1-2). Pharaoh asked them what they did for a living, and they reply that they have been shepherds all their lives. They formally asked permission to live in …
Moses Blessings on The Tribes
Moses pronounced his blessing upon each tribe just before his death. Only ten tribes were listed. The tribe of Simeon was omitted, perhaps due to Jacob’s prediction that Simeon would be scattered (Genesis 49:7) and her land would be divided with the children of Judah (Joshua 19:1). Joseph’s …
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
As this chapter begins, Elisha was still accompanying Elijah whose home base was in Gilgal (v. 1). They leave this site and go down to Bethel (v. 2). Elijah went to visit two schools of prophets for the last time. Three times Elijah, as a test, asked Elisha not to follow him, b …
IllustrationThe Turtle on Top of a Fence Post
Alex Haley, the author of “Roots,” had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, “Why is that there?” Alex Haley answered, “Every time I write something significant, every time I re …
IllustrationYour Food Stamps Will be Stopped
A few years ago, a letter appeared in the national news that was sent to a deceased person by the Indiana Department of Social Services. It read as follows: Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless …
IllustrationBless Your Little Heart
Johnny’s first day of school the class was to put their right hands over their hearts & repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. The teacher watched the children as he started the pledge, “I pledge allegiance to the flag…” She stopped when she noticed Johnny’s right han …