Recent Commentaries

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: …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Hezekiah was an excellent King although he had a very vicious father. Praise the Lord that the Proverb like father, like son is not always true. In the first month of the first year of his reign he opened the doors of the temple. In this chapter there is a vivid summary in which …

An undisciplined child will bring shame to his mother and ruin to himself (v. 15). When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases (v. 16). Proper discipline includes both verbal instruction and spankings. Failure to discipline results in a society overrun with wickedness and lacking in …

God tells Moses that he and his people were led out of Egypt and they now need to move out of Mt Sinai and go toward the promised land (v. 1). He promised to send an angel with them and defeat their enemies but said He would not go with them (vv. 2-3). Because of their sin …

Even though the temple lay in ruins and the people were exiles in a foreign land he encouraged his soul with a defense of the truth (vv. 12-17).When God does not answer in the thunder and the storm it is not because he can not but because it is to His glory to act in a gentler, b …