This Psalm reads almost like a passage from the book of Proverbs with its bold contrast between the destinies of the wicked and the righteous. It addresses the age-old problem concerning the prosperity of the wicked. It is about poor rich people who have money, but that is all they have …
Psalm 127 exhorts us to continually recognize God’s influence in every area of our life. God has intended that man should work by day and sleep peacefully by night. It is folly for us to rise early and stay up late, thus deny ourselves bodily refreshments in the eager pursuit of worldly wealth …
God spoke from heaven directly to Joshua to reassure him of his appoint¬ment Moses’ successor (vv. 1-3). Joshua was commanded by God to lead the Israelites and claim the land. Although the land was God’s gift to Israel, it would only become theirs by hard fighting. John Wesley once said …
Some have referred to this portion of Scripture as the origin of today’s communism. It is nothing of the kind. It didn’t involve all private property, but only as much as was needed and there was no membership requirement. The spiritual unity and generosity of these e …
The Corinthians had split into various cliques, each following its favorite preacher (Paul, Apollos, Peter etc.). Each group believed it was the only one to have the whole truth, and thus felt spiritually proud. Paul told the groups not to boast about being tied to a particular preacher because each …
Animal sacrifices could not take away sins; they provided only a temporary way to deal with sin until Jesus came to deal with it permanently. This chapter of Hebrews continues to emphasize the perfect sacrifice of Christ in contrast to the imperfect sacrifices that were offered under the Old …
This psalm is essentially a psalm of thanksgiving and praise after the battle is over and the noise of strife and the drums of war are stilled (vv. 1-6). It is offered to God, by the people on behalf of their king. The dust of conflict has settled, and the foe has vanquished. It is a national anthem, a …
Since Jewish law required trials to be conducted during the day, the chief priests and elders reconvened in the morning to deliver their official verdict against Jesus (v. 1). Because the court lacked the authority to exercise capital punishment, they bound Jesus and brought Him to Governor …
The church has been often greatly distressed by its enemies on earth: Israel may now say, “I am the people that has been oppressed more than any people, that has been as a speckled bird, pecked at by all the birds round about,†Jer. 12:9. It is true, they brought their troubles upon themselves …
This chapter describes how the Lord will preserve His people. Isaiah describes the situation which will exist when the kingdom is established on earth. He speaks of a future time when Israel and other nations will feast in peace and prosperity. This is after the worldwide judgment of God, and …