Ephesus was known for its magic, and apparently the Christians had not yet put away all such evil practices (vv. 11-12). However, we need to take note that these were special miracles (v. 11) and not to be duplicated by others. There was no New Testament in existence in those days, so God …
In this chapter Ezekiel predicts the complete destruction of Judah. The wicked and proud will finally get what they deserve. If it seems as though God ignores the evil and proud people in our day, we can be assured that a day of judgment will come, just as it came for the …
In addition to a new beginning God promised to make a New Covenant with His people (vv. 31-37). Here is the promise of a “New Covenant.” This is the only mention of a “New Covenant” in the OT (v. 31). There are some differences between the old and new cove …
The words in this passage appear to be addressed, not to the enemy, but to Israel herself. The citizens of Jerusalem have been invited to view the remains of their enemies that they may see the mighty power of God in their behalf (v. 8). He had completely destroyed His enemy (v. …
When we think of men of the Bible who walked by faith, we often think of men like Abraham who left his home land to follow God into a new land, of Noah who took many years to build a big boat when he had never seen it rain, and Peter who walked on water. We don’t think about …
Jesus and His disciples had just crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to shore near the town of Gerasa (v. 1). The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long at its longest part and 8 miles wide at its widest part. At this particular point in the shoreline, there were many caves in the l …
Jesus’s fifth and sixth parables are linked (vv. 44-46). In the fifth parable the kingdom of heaven is compared to a treasure hidden in a field & in the sixth parable it is compared to a pearl of great value. In both parables the one who found the treasure and the pearl went and sold all that they …
Gideon had risked his life for Israel. They had responded by destroying his sons (vv. 16-18) so fires of destruction would only be what they deserved (vv. 19-20). These were Gotham’s words of warning. Then Gotham had to run for his life and hide from the anger of his brothers (v. 21) …
In this passage the principle of individual accountability is reiterated and confirmed (vv.19-20). The principle that a son should not suffer for the sins of his father has been well established (II Kings 14:6; Deut 24:16). Perhaps a question had been raised from Exodus 2 …
A large crowd gathered in Jerusalem in the second month to celebrate the Passover (v. 13). They took all the foreign incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley (v. 14). Then on the 14th day of that month, the Levites began killing the lambs for Passover as many of the worshipers …