Once the ark was safely delivered within the tent erected by David, burnt offerings were dedicated to God and peace offerings provided a sacrificial meal for the people (vv. 1-3). This was only a tent, a humble dwelling place, but this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of …
The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was so enormous that it called for great organization and the help of everyone. Nehemiah’s plan is unique and various aspects of this plan are outlined in this chapter. He begins with the Sheep Gate and proceeds counterclockwise. The …
These verses in this passage summarize the core of Christian living. In this day of constant lawsuits and demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him (vv. 17-21). We are …
In this passage we can see how God did not give up on His people despite this 40-year judgment of that ungrateful and rebellious generation. We can see how He was still guiding them through His prophet Moses and had not abandoned His plan to give them the promised land in Canaan…
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 …