The inadequacy of the legal and Levitical system and how it had to be replaced with something better is pointed out. If the Levitical priesthood could have brought access to God or salvation it would have not been necessary for God to provide another priesthood. As long as …
In spite of all that Saul had done in trying to kill David for many years, David did not rejoice when he learned of his death. He had every reason to hate Saul, but he chose not to. Instead, he chose to look at all the good Saul had done and ignore the times when Saul had attacked …
After making everything official and the papers are notarized concerning the land he just purchased (v. 16), Jeremiah breaks out into prayer and praise (v. 17): “Ah Lord God! behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. And there …
When persecution hit the church in Jerusalem, scattering the believers, the apostles were spared, remaining in Jerusalem (v. 1). Eventually word reached them of the work Philip was doing in Samaria (v. 14). The Samaritans had received the Word of God (v. 14), but strangely they had not …
This chapter records the first great outpouring of complaint by Job, and not one of his visitors, that broke the seven days of silence. As he spoke, it was not with a casual greeting to his friends or small talk. His former positive manner has turned to bitterness, his pati …
This letter was written by Jude, the brother of James to all who were chosen and loved by God and kept by Jesus Christ (v. 1). Jude longed for them to know God’s “mercy, peace, and love” (v.2). While wishing to write on a more pleasant theme of …
What was the purpose of the Law? It was given to show that we sin. The Law was a dramatic event (Ex. 19) in comparison with the giving of the covenant to Abraham (Gen. 15). The Judaizers were impressed with the emotional externals and they were saying “In order for a person …
Up to this point Nehemiah’s challenges as a spiritual leader had been primarily from those outside of Judah. However, in this chapter he faces the most difficult and intense kind of problem that any leader faces and that is problems from within. Not only were their enemies a cons …
As with chapter 7, this chapter precedes chapter 5 chronologically. Approximately two years after Daniel had his first dream in chapter seven he had another dream. This dream came during the third year of Belshazzar’s reign (v. 1). He was in the palace at Shushan, about t …
Before I made a trip to Israel I used to think of the wilderness mentioned in the Bible as a huge forest. However, I found out it was just barren land with lots of rocks. It is thought that the place where Jesus was first tempted is a barren area northwest of the dead sea and …