1. The sons of Levi (vv. 1-30). This list clearly defines the priests and Levites line of descent. It has been said that the genealogy of Levi is given more amply and completely here than in any other place …
In our passage today we see the results of persistence. It must have been an exciting day for the Israelites to finally see what had been promised to them through their father’s generations before. Finally, the day had come when Joshua, with the help of God, was going to lead them into the …
These next verses have been referred to as the unpardonable sin. The big question is: Can it be committed today, and if so, how? First of all, Jesus made it clear that all sins can be forgiven (v. 31). Then what is blasphemy? It has been defined as intentionally speaking evil against the Holy …
This portion of Proverbs refers to poverty and prosperity. Once again we see how trouble comes to the wicked, like an animal chasing him (v.21). One such problem is hunger mentioned in verse 25. When a good man dies he leaves an inheritance to his descendants (v. 22). This …
After restoring Israel to peace and military power, David’s personal life becomes entangled in sin. After the first step, he allows himself to fall deeper and deeper into sin. The progression was: 1. David abandoned his purpose by staying …
God’s people continued to sin even though they had the law, the prophets of God, and history filled with God’s miracles. Because of the people’s sin God would give the city of Jerusalem (His mountain in the land) and the wealth of its inhabitants as plunder (Jer …
James issued a warning: a fountain cannot give forth two kinds of water, and a tree cannot bear two kinds of fruit. From this, two pictures of controlled speech are given: a fountain & a tree (vv. 9-12). The fountain provides the water man needs to stay alive. Water is life-giving, and our words …
When Mordecai heard about the decree of Ahasuerus for the destruction of the Jews he rent his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, which displayed to the Jews great sorrow and grief (v. 1). He displayed his grief publicly, walking throughout the city and crying out bitterly. He was even …
This is Job’s third response to Bildad (vv. 1-14). His reply is almost like the summing up argument of an attorney. He rebukes Bildad for not giving him any help (vv. 1-4). Job had no power, but Bildad didn’t make him stronger. According to his friends, Job lacked wis …
Having explained what the Law does, Paul now explains what the Law cannot do. The Law cannot set you free (v. 14). Paul doesn’t understand why he acts the way he does (vv. 15-20). What he doesn’t want to do he ends up doing and what he wants to do he ends up not doing. The Law cannot …