Sovereignty
What it Means to Have God on Your Side
Although Edom, Ammon, and Moab had harassed Israel God would not give Israel their land (vv. 16-23). Instead, they were instructed to bypass their nations and let God take care of them. However, the situation changed with Sihon and the Amorites (vv. 24-25). The Amorites under …
Job Says He Longs For God
Instead of arguing with his friends, or compromising his integrity by giving in to Eliphaz’s appeal, Job ignores them completely and speaks to the Lord. Job has already made it clear that his dispute was not with man, but with God. Job has two complaints against the Lord: Go …
Our Steps Are Ordered by The Lord
This hymn of praise explains how the Lord has the power to change things. His authority is limitless. He can reverse the condition of anything and therefore the way of life for anybody. In this passage we see how the Lord has great power over nature (vv. 33-39). He is sovereign and can …
Choosing Zion For His Dwelling Place
The great mountains of the land of Basham (v. 15) no doubt refers to Mount Hermon, the highest snow capped peak in the Middle East, just a few miles north of Basham. The psalmists intent was to show that Israel would be victorious by divine design (sovereignty), rather than by hu …
The Advice of Ahithopel And Hushai
Ahithophel told Absalom that he will choose twelve thousand men and attack David at night while he is tired and discouraged (vv. 1-2). He will panic and everyone will run away so I can kill him (v. 3). Then I will bring everyone back to you and this way there won’t be a civ …
Balaam foretells the happiness of Israel
This chapter begins by explaining how Balaam realized the Lord’s intention to bless Israel, so he did not try to use his sorcery as he usually did (v.1) but he looked toward the wilderness and saw the tribes encamped in formation and the Spirit of the Lord came on him (v. 2). He …
God’s Anger And Mercy
Is God unjust in choosing Isaac over Ishmael & Jacob over Esau? Moses over Pharaoh & Israel over Egypt (vv. 14-18)? Paul responds, “Not at all! God is not under obligation to give mercy to anyone.” In Malachi 1:2,3, the statement “Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated†refers to the …