Engaged means that Mary was already bound to Joseph, although they were not yet actually married. Hebrew marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. The marriage vows were said at the time of engagement and required a divorce to end …
In chapter one we learned that circumstances can rob us of our joy. In chapter two Paul showed us how people can also rob us of our joy. Now in chapter three he shows us how we need to be careful as things will also rob us of our joy (v. 7). It is very easy for us to get …
This psalm is short and sweet; I doubt the reason why we sing it so often as we do is for the shortness of it; but, if we rightly understood and considered it
In the early church slavery was an established institution and the Christian owed complete obedience to his master. In fact, servants were to strive to do a better job because they were Christians (v.22). At least half of the people were slaves. Many of them carried great respon …
The danger that Timothy faced in Ephesus came from people in the church who were following Greek philosophers who taught that the body was evil and that only the soul mattered. Good appearances are not enough. If a teaching contradicts the Bible, it is false. Paul warned Timothy …
This passage centers around the duties of the Priests and Levites. The Priests and Levites had different jobs in and around the temple. The Priests were authorized to perform the sacrifices while the Levites were set apart to help the Priests. The Levites did the work of el …
This psalm can be divided into two major parts. First we can see the Lord celebrating as the reigning One (vv. 1-9) and then as the righteous One (vv. 10-12). One who will not only reign with invincible power, but with absolute integrity. As great as this victory was, it wa …
Today’s passage begins with Moses asking God, “Who am I (v. 11)?†This was because he didn’t feel qualified to be the leader of his people. He had just been a shepherd leading sheep. God tells Moses that he would be with him (v. 12). One with God is …
Joab is told of David’s “weeping†and “mourning†for his son Absalom (vv. 1-2). Instead of majoring on their triumph as an occasion for celebration the people sneak back into the city because cowardice has forced them to flee the battlefield (v. 3). …
God instructed Moses to meet Him at the tabernacle and to bring Joshua, his successor with him. Speaking from the glory cloud, the Lord told the two men that Israel would turn from the true and living God and worship idols, and that He would turn away from them and send the judgment …