Jesus begins to speak to the people in parables (v. 1). He tells how an owner rented his vineyard out to tenant farmers or vine-dressers on a crop basis and then he went to stay in another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to collect his share of the crop. Instead of sharing …
There were 652 who returned from the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda who could not prove that they were Israelites but had lived in the Babylonian towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer (vv. 59-60). There were three families who could not prove they were …
Deborah’s and Borah’s song of victory is among the most beautiful poems of the Old Testament (v. 1). Probably Israel sang it for years after they were gone. The song begins with praise to the Lord for His great deeds during the Exodus and wilderness wandering (vv. 2-4). It then goes into …
All the brothers with their families and flocks settled down in the land of Goshen. Joseph introduces them to Pharaoh (vv. 1-2). Pharaoh asked them what they did for a living, and they reply that they have been shepherds all their lives. They formally asked permission to live in …
The Lord give security to the righteous in the land (vv. 27-28). “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice (v. 30). The Psalmist declares his love for God’s law and his effort to make it a part to his life (v. 31). The following three points are often forgotten by the …
Jesus with His six new disciples traveled from Bethany, which is near Jericho, to Nathaniel’s hometown of Cana in Galilee, which is about a two days’ journey on foot. Since Cana is near Nazareth, perhaps Jesus stopped in his hometown. Jesus and his disciples were invited to a …
The picture of Abraham is followed by the picture of Joseph. As the Sanhedrin rejected Jesus, the sons of Jacob united to get rid of Joseph. Both were motivated because of envy (v. 9). Joseph was rejected by his brethren, sold for the price of a slave, handed over to Gentiles, and made to suffer …
Keep in mind that when Moses composes this song, Israel is not yet in the promised land. It is prophetic as it is intended to challenge them to godliness. It shows how prosperity is more dangerous than adversity (v. 15). In adverse circumstances a believer is reminded of ho …
In this chapter, David is compelled to leave his homeland because of the slander of Cush and the betrayal of the people of Ziph. At Engedi there seemed to be a complete and harmonious reconciliation between David and Saul. Yet, in just a brief time, Saul was again hunting David. …
We should never fear about the plotting of the wicked because God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the day is coming when He will destroy the strength of the strong. He has a sword for those who have committed crimes against humanity. We can be sure that God has a …