The Lord addresses the matter of oath making (vv. 33-36). Don’t make a promise unless you are going to keep it. The basis for Old Testament oathtaking is found in Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 23:21, and Numbers 30:2. Oaths taken in the name of the Lord were binding. By Old Testament …
The fall of Damascus was a warning to Ephraim in the Northern kingdom of Israel. Both Ephraim, representing Israel, and Damascus, representing Syria, would be defeated (vv. 1-2). The emphasis in this chapter is on the God who controls the armies of heaven and earth (v. 3). Isaiah used several …
This is one of the most important sections of Scripture in the Bible for Christians. It deals with how we tend to try and cover up our sins. The first step in dishonesty is that we want our friends to think we are “spiritual” so we lie to others about our lives a …
This is one of Paul’s most informal letters. With this church he did not feel the need to assert his Apostolic authority. His overflowing love for them is obvious. He even allowed them to send him money which was very unusual for him. Paul is imprisoned, yet he uses the term for …
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” …
1. Understanding God’s Integrity (vv. 21-22a). The phrase “but now” marks a major transition in Romans, as Paul begins to speak of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as the turning point of human history. The death of Jesus opened a new chapter in outworking of God’s plan …
In this chapter we find Job approaching God from four different ways:He challenged God (vv. 1-7) – Since he could not find someone to represent him, he decides to become his own defense attorney. He decides to vent his complaint, even if it kills him.He reminds God (vv. 8-12) – H …
Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were a team sent by God to help the nation of Israel (Micah 6:4). Everybody in Israel knew that these three team mates were God’s chosen servants, but that Moses was the leader. Miriam, sister of Moses, was a leader as prophetess and Aaron, Moses’ b …
Habakkuk may have felt much like the lady in this illustration did. He was frustrated as wickedness and violence seemed to go unchecked (v. 1). He went to God to complain about his troubles and the troubles of his people. He described the injustice that was rampant around him and then asked …
Paul and Barnabas took another young man, John Mark, with them, and they sailed for the island of Cyprus, arriving on the eastern costal village of Salamis (v. 4). They went from synagogue to synagogue where they preached the Word of God (v. 5). Day after day they walked, stoppin …