Wills are of no value to the beneficiaries until the death of the will maker. That is what the writer argues in this passage. Without a death it is impossible to receive the benefits of the covenant God makes. The cross is God’s way of saying there is nothing in us worth saving …
This eleventh chapter of Hebrews is one of the best known chapters of the Bible on the subject of faith. Two words describe faith; confidence and certainty. These two words need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point is believing in God’s character; that He is w …
In Asa’s 36th year he was confronted by Baasha, now the king of Israel, who built a fortress at Ramah, about four or five miles north of Jerusalem. Instead of relying solely on the Lord for aid Asa hired Ben-hadad, king of Syria, to help him against the foe. This scheme was successful …
This hymn stresses the reasons for the believer’s adoration of God. It is a hymn of praise. It may have resulted from a national victory, but there is no hint within its text to reveal which victory. The psalmist calls on the righteous to praise the Lord because His Word is …
Jesus went to Capernaum, which He later made His home since His own hometown, Nazareth, had rejected Him. He sets up His headquarters in Capernaum, the home town of Peter, Andrew, James and John. On the Sabbath Jesus gives a powerful message at the synagogue (v. 31). It is no …
We find that Luke was a very careful and conscientious investigator as he wrote this book. He tells Jesus story from the prospective of a Gentile physician. He sought out those who had known the Lord Jesus personally and learned the facts from their own lips (vv. 1-4). …
More than forty Jews banded together under an oath agreeing that they would not eat anything until they had killed Paul (vv. 12-14). This band of zealots were roughly equivalent to the terrorists who threaten us today. They made this plan known to the Sanhedrin and somehow Paul’s nephew …
Nebuchadnezzar’s victory over Egypt at this time established Babylon as the strongest nation in that part of the world. This victory placed Judah under Babylonian control. In order to bring Judah securely under his rule Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and took some captives to Baby …
As David states, “Create in me a clean heart” (v. 10). He is interested in more than just forgiveness of sins. He wants a new heart and not just his old one changed. He is not asking for restoration but for regeneration. He prays that the Holy Spirit will not be taken …
The balance of this chapter continues with an ever-mounting argument for the superiority of Christ over the angels. The people addressed in this epistle were Hebrew Christians who had the greatest and deepest respect for the angels of God. When we look at this passage we can see …