This Psalm is a prayer for God’s judgment to fall. It is in the spirit of the petition that God’s righteous rule be established over all men, especially the wicked. The author of Psalm 94 lived in a day when government was engaged in the promotion of evil and persecut …
It is easy to find ourselves telling God what we want Him to do and then get angry at Him if He doesn’t do it. James now gives seven steps for victory in this warfare. Submit to God (v. 7)Resist the devil (v. 7)Draw near to God (v. 8)Clean your hands (actions v. 8)P …
Since Jerusalem’s walls had been rebuilt, it was necessary for a sufficient number of people to inhabit the city. Perhaps this included people to defend the city, carry on business, etc. People already dwelt in the city, but it was decided that they needed one tenth of the popula …
Josiah commanded that the Passover be celebrated in Jerusalem (v. 1). He made sure the priests knew what their duties were in the temple (v. 2). He called the Levites together and instructed them as to their Passover duties (vv. 3-6). Josiah donated the sheep and goats from his flock for …
The Lord employed wisdom and understanding when he made the heavens and the earth (v. 19). When the time came for him to flood the world, he employed knowledge known only to himself, so also with the complex weather patterns like rain and dew (v. 20). Our earthly scientist can …
This passage uses a similar tactic but to a different end. Paul does paint two pictures for us “ one “before†Christ (vv. 1-3) and one “after†(vv. 4-7). He then brings it all together (vv. 8-10) and tells us what the goal of this comparison is. Int …
Life was not easy for the Jewish remnant that returned to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Their neighbors were often hostile, the Persian officials were not always cooperative, and the economic situation was difficult. This psalm may have been written by one of the Levites to remind …
In this passage we find the word “rest†mentioned nine times (vv. 1-11). God has provided a “rest†and that “rest†can still be known today. The reference to Jesus also involves Joshua of the Old Testament (v. 8). The two words, Joshua and Jesu …
Paul prays for the Colossians (v. 9). He had never met the Colossians but he wanted them to know what he is faithfully praying for them. It has to do with the knowledge of God’s will and a life lived in accordance with that will. Paul now states four ways that we can pleas …
When the disciples returned with food they were amazed to find Jesus conversing with a Samaritan woman (v. 27). Their return apparently ended the conversation between Jesus and the woman. All evidence indicates she was beginning to drink of the Living Water (v. 25). The woman left her …