This Psalm details the Lord’s glory in creation while revealing the fall of man and the cursed earth. This section of the Psalm (vv. 1-13) approximates the first 3 days of creation (Gen. 1:1-13). The Creator is greater than the creation and he is to be worshiped and not the creation (vv. 1-2). The …
How does someone write to suffering Christians and tell them to stay faithful, despite the fact they are going through severe trials? The author wisely begins not by considering their difficult circumstances, nor by simply telling them, “This is right to do, so do it.†…
Solomon reigned in what has been referred to as Israel’s golden age. He built the magnificent temple, and even the pots and pans in the kitchen were made of gold. However he had pity on the poor and the weak and helped everyone who was poor and needy (vv. 12-13). He cared f …
John was probably writing to believers in the city of Ephesus, a city given over to the worship of Idols. In the city of Ephesus stood the Temple of Diana. The Ephesians were proud of the structure and the prominence it gave to their city. Few people today, bow to idols of …
The sins Paul mentions in this passage are either the result of church division or caused by lax morality which disunity tends to produce (vv. 20-21). Legalism and immorality are often frequent bedfellows (Philippians 3:3,19). If you don’t believe this is true, just look at the great number of …
Many brave and experienced soldiers came to Hebron (300,000) to make David king over a once again united monarchy. Every tribe was represented, including the Levites and both halves (east and west of Jordan) of Manaseh. The decision to make David king was one of total unity. All …
When Jesus and His disciples arrived back at Capernaum, the tax collectors were waiting for them (v. 24). Every Jew 20 years or more of age was required to pay a temple tax of half a shekel (Exodus 20:13-24). Apparently Peter and Jesus had not yet paid their tax for that ye …
Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms. With 176 verses it is the longest chapter in the Bible. Every verse, except 4 or 5 contains a synonym for the Word of God. The Word of God is spoken of as “His Testimoniesâ€, “His waysâ€, “Your preceptsâ€, and “Your statutesâ€. It has an interesting …
This chapter deals with Human Relationships. Here we find the laws concerning the cities of refuge which were intended to save the lives of those not guilty of premeditated murders. There were six of these cities which were spaced throughout the land so that they might be easily reached by …
This chapter introduces the book by giving the background and preparation of the prophet. It opens with Nebuchadnezzar’s besieging of Jerusalem which took place during the reign of Jehoiakim, the eldest son of Josiah (v. 1). Jeremiah had warned Jehoiakim of an impending invasion …