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David Did Not Take Credit For His Victories
The Lord gave David victory over his enemies, pursuing, crushing, and destroying them (vv. 37-42). God gave him rule over other nations (vv. 43-45). Everything he had done and everything he now enjoyed was because of the Lord’s enabling strength. Just as God has provided the offensive …
Rejected by the Religious Leaders
Bible scholars say that approximately two months had passed between the previous account and these events. The “feast of the dedication†(Hanukkah) (v. 22) takes place in December, which is near the time when we celebrate our Christmas. This feast celebrates the reded …
Events Preceding the Kingdom
Israel will be exiled to Babylon. Jerusalem, why are you crying? Don’t you have a king? Have your advisors gone? Are you suffering like a woman in childbirth” (v. 9)? Micah is predicting the end of the kings. This was a drastic statement to the people of Judah, who thought t …
The secret of heart to heart ministry
There are three prevailing myths concerning the ministry:
Qualifications for Leadership
Paul begins a series of closing remarks, exhortations, challenges, and greetings. Faith, conviction, courage, and love are essential ingredients for success and victory. As the Corinthians wait for Paul’s next visit, he exhorts them to a fivefold commitment: …
The Rebellion of Sheba
Sheba, a trouble maker from the tribe of Benjamin asked the Israelites to follow him and rebel against David, and they did, while the people of Judah stayed close to David (vv. 1-2). The house of Benjamin had been jealous of David since he became king of Israel and Sheba hoped to …
The Commission of Gideon
God used a coward to lead a nation of cowards. Gideon, the fifth judge, was the youngest son, of the poorest family in Israel. The “angel of the Lord” appeared to Gideon. Gideon was thrashing grain in a covered shelter where grapes were pressed into wine because he was trying to hide his …
Careless Words Are Harmful
Who is it that hasn’t spoken something thoughtlessly and later found out that his careless words were harmful? Reckless words which may have not been intended to hurt can be very hurtful and piercing like a sword (vv. 17-18). But words of kindness spoken by a wise person can do …
Jesus Works and Heals on the Sabbath
On the Sabbath day, possibly the next day after the feast at Matthew’s house, another problem is brought up by the Pharisees. Jesus and His disciples are passing through some grain fields and being hungry they pluck some of the grain and ate it (v. 1). These Pharisees who s …
The Message of the Cross
It is interesting to see how Paul approached this problem of division in the church. First, he pointed to the unity of Christ: there is one Savior and one body. Then he reminded them of their baptism, a picture of their spiritual baptism into Christ’s body (v. 17). The true condition of the Corinthian …