Paul told the people of Antioch (both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles) how God had sent a Savior, but how the rulers in Jerusalem had put him to death, and God had raised Him from the grave (vv. 26-37). Since he was addressing a synagogue congregation, he used Old Testament Scriptures to …
Manoah and his wife did not have any children because she was barren. So, the birth of Samson was miraculous as was the birth of Isaac, or Joseph or Benjamin. Manoah accepted that the visitor was a “man of God” (v.8), prayed for a second visit and that he and his wife would be prepared for
Many people seem honest. They say the right words, but a closer look reveals their unfaithfulness (v. 6). Our children are like mirrors, reflecting our attitudes in life (v. 7). We need to be careful …
After the temple was described, its daily operation was explained to Ezekiel. A new way of life and worship will be practiced by the people during the Millennium. Yet in describing the holy standards in Israel’s future worship, Ezekiel asked the people of his day to reevalu …
Part of the work of the Hebrew slaves was to take clay and shape it into bricks. They had to mix finely cut-up straw or reeds with the clay so that it would make strong bricks. After Moses and Aaron had gone to Pharaoh asking him to let the Israelite people go, Pharaoh felt that …
The famine was so great in Canaan that Jacob decided to send his sons (except Benjamin) down to Egypt to buy food (vv. 1-3). Benjamin was the only son by Rachel that he still had, and Jacob did not want something to happen to him (v. 4). Many other people from Canaan went to Egypt to buy …
After a strong warning against idolatry (v.v. 15-20), Moses for the third time refers to the Lord’s refusal to let him cross the Jordan and enter Canaan (v. 21; Deut. 1:37; Deut. 3:26-27). Certainly, his repetition of the Lord’s prohibition points out his deep disappointment. Since the people were …
The Most Holy Place in the temple was sealed from view by the veil (v. 20). Only the high priest could enter this holy room, and he did so only once a year on the Day of Atonement when he offered the sacrifice for sins. In this passage we are encouraged to boldly enter into the …
Even though Samson had already gotten into trouble with two women he now gets involved with a third woman in the valley of Sorek which was not far from his home (v. 4). It was here that Delilah came into his life and led him to his doom. Three times Delilah enticed Samson, and t …
In this chapter, Paul has been analyzing the civilization of the first century Roman Empire. He describes the moral life of great cities like Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome. However, the letter describes exactly what happened last night in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago …