Israel as a nation has not only been a scattered people and a sinful people, but they have been a suffering people. However, one day their suffering will be turned into joy. Like our Thanksgiving day in the United States the “Feast of Tabernacles” was a time of feasting …
We now move from a description of Solomon’s palace to a description of the temple and its’ furnishings. Bronze was used for the furnishing on the outside but the furniture on the inside was made of gold. The description of the bronze work of the temple makes it apparent that gr …
Paul tells how he kneels to the Father in prayer (v. 14), where all beings on earth and in heaven get their direction (v. 15). Unfortunately, many Christians have a very selfish approach to God in their prayer life. They are always asking, always wanting more from God. They want …
Chapter nine begins the second half of Solomon’s forty year reign. The nation of Israel had reached a high point. A magnificent center of worship had been completed and national prestige had never been higher. However, now that everything was completed, the drive that had motiva …
Paul returns to the subject with which this letter began – the eating of meat offered to idols. In expressing their Christian liberty, some of the Corinthians were living dangerously close to idolatry. Paul says that it is true that an idol is nothing, but the ones behind …
The writer states in this passage that the people flattered Him with their mouth, lied to Him with their tongue, had a heart that was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant (vv. 36,37). The dictionary says flattery is to compliment insincerely. We flatter …
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 …
In the fourth vision Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before God. Joshua’s filthy garments are exchanged for clean robes; Satan’s accusations against him are rejected by God. This vision can be divided as follows: (1) The details of the vision (vv. 1-5); and …
Paul offers his own life as an example to Timothy (v. 10). Timothy has seen for himself how Paul has lived, taught and suffered for the sake of the gospel. Now he must also expect to suffer if he truly follows Christ. On his first missionary journey, Paul was expelled from Pisidi …
The Sadducees were the Jewish religious liberals of that day. They accepted as Scripture only the Five Books of Moses and they denied the resurrection, angels and spirits (Acts 23:8). As a result they denied the very power of God (v. 27). These Sadducees asked Jesus …