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 …
Some fifty chapters in the Bible focus on the tabernacle. This ninth chapter of Hebrews describes the Tabernacle and its sacrifices and regulations in rather close detail (vv. 1-28). A description of the Tabernacle is that it was one hundred fifty feet long and seventy-five feet wide. Its single gate …
Most of the verses from here to the end of the chapter refer in some way to the rewards of righteous living. It begins with a contrast between men and women. The gracious woman is able to retain honor, whereas the energetic man is able to retain riches (v. 16). It seems th …
Noah lived faithfully for over 600 years but he was not perfect. Noah plant¬ed a vineyard and drank of the wine (vv. 20-21). He was drunk and naked in his tent (v. 22). Ham saw his father drunk and naked. This destroyed his respect and relationship with his father. When Ham reported it to his …
The writer asks his readers to pay attention to the truth they have heard so that they won’t drift away into false teaching. In chapter one we saw Jesus as the Son of God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the heir of all things, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Now in …
The great mountains of the land of Basham (v. 15) no doubt refers to Mount Hermon, the highest snow capped peak in the Middle East, just a few miles north of Basham. The psalmists intent was to show that Israel would be victorious by divine design (sovereignty), rather than by hu …
Since it was Passover, there were probably about 2 million people in and around Jerusalem. This crowd was composed of Jews who lived in Jerusalem and those from Galilee and the surrounding countryside. Jesus and the disciples were approaching Jerusalem from the east as they came up the …