Chapter 19 deals with the sanctity of law. The regulations given here aren’t arranged in any particular order, but that which ties them together is their relationship to the 10 commandments. 1. Be holy (vv. 1-2) 2. Honor to parents (v. 3). 3. Honoring the Sabbath (v. 3) …
Paul was appointed as a missionary to the Gentiles (v.13). He reminded his Jewish brethren of this fact, hoping that they too would want to be saved (v. 14). The Jews had been rejected, and thus Gentiles were being offered salvation. When a Jew comes to Christ there is great rejoicing. It was …
The psalmist knew the sweetness of his salvation, he knew the glory of the days he had walked with the Lord; but he did not know how many days remained for him to do so (vv. 12-15). He had been raised in a God-fearing environment and learned well of the goodness of God. His one c …
Ashdad, a Philistine city was captured by the commander-in-chief of the Assyrian King Sargon (v. 1). The capture of Ashdad was a signal to Judah that they could not count on foreign alliances to protect them. For three years, Isaiah did not wear his outer garment of sackcloth (no …
Paul uses a hypothetical case of a believer who falls into sin. Instead of trying to restore this person the Legalists will condemn him and try to make himself look good by making this person look bad. He seems to rejoice when this brother falls and often gives the matter w …
The prophetic plan for the Gentiles is given in chapters 2-7. Soon after Nebuchadnezzar became king, there came a night that he did not sleep well. He dreamed dreams that troubled his spirit (v. 1). He didn’t realize it at the time but God was dealing with him. It is late …
Sardis is about 30 miles south of Thyatira, a wealthy city, and the capital of Lydia. The people were proud and thought they could not be overtaken but Cyrus the Great of Persia stormed the city and took it over in the sixth century. From a religious standpoint it was a center of pagan worship …
The Lord had instructed Moses to set aside six cities as sanctuaries in the land of Canaan (Numbers 35:6). They were situated in such a way as to be readily accessib¬le. Highways leading to them were kept in good repair and the crossroads were well marked with signposts reading "Refuge! …
In this passage the Psalmist contrasts those who live righteously with those who live in wickedness like Doeg. It seems that David’s thoughts go back to the Mount of Olives where he had met with Ahimelech. He could still see the long rows of olive trees, green and bowed dow …
Since Jesus died about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and Jewish law forbid any burial on the Sabbath which began at sunset (v. 42). God had a higly respected and wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea (a secret disciple of Jesus (John 19:38) ready to take care of …