In this passage we find that heaven was not simply a destination for Paul; it was also a motivation. He was anxiously waiting for the day when he would fully participate in the abundant life promised in heaven. He used a tent or earthly house as a picture of our present earthly bodies (v. 1). A tent …
In this passage a description of the inside of the temple is given. The cherubim were sculptured angels, carved from olive wood. Their wings were spread 30 feet and they were covered with gold (vv. 23-28). The walls of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place were decorated with …
David’s motivation for taking a census of Israel is not given explicitly. We are told however that Satan caused him to do it (v.11). The census taken in Numbers 1:2 was God’s idea. This census was David’s idea, likely caused by his pride in the strength of his army as he started to trust more …
Paul starts out this chapter by saying “I am a prisoner of the Lord so that I can help you Gentiles†(vv. 1-3). It is striking that nowhere does he ever refer to himself as a prisoner of Caesar. Would that we had the faith of this mighty apostle who understood so clea …
This Psalm is a majestic description of the omnipotence of God. David, perhaps seated in his palace, sees a tempest coming out of the Mediterranean sea and sweeping across Palestine. In it we can see how the God who is able to cause havoc in the thunderstorms is also able to brin …
This passage starts out with Festus rudely interrupting Paul’s testimony by telling him he is insane; that his education has gone to his head and scrambled his brains (v. 24). Apparently this charge came as a result of Paul’s declaration that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. …
It is only when the heart is ready to receive instruction, and the ear is ready to hear that a person will grow in his spiritual life (v. 12). There is a big differ¬ence between reading the Bible (or hearing it explained) and meditating upon it. That is why so many people never grow much in their Christian …
Few nations have possessed the proud national consciousness of Israel. Patriotic feeling burned brightly. Israel’s past made it impossible for her to be indifferent to the elements of greatness in her history. Ezekiel, however, did not share her pride. One commentary said …
Is God unjust in choosing Isaac over Ishmael & Jacob over Esau? Moses over Pharaoh & Israel over Egypt (vv. 14-18)? Paul responds, “Not at all! God is not under obligation to give mercy to anyone.” In Malachi 1:2,3, the statement “Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated†refers to the …
In today’s passage, the Lord passes judgement upon Moab (vv. 1-3) and Judah (vv. 4-5). Moab was situated east of the Dead Sea between Ammon and Edom (vv. 1-3). They had descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter. Balak, king of Moab tried to hire