The book of Isaiah makes a dramatic switch of emphasis at this point from judgment to restoration and deliverance. When Isaiah wrote these prophecies of restoration, Judah still had over 100 years of difficulty ahead of her before she would fall to Babylon and then be forced into 70 years of …
The Israelites had been camped in the plains of Moab. From this position, they were ready to enter the Promised Land. Up to this point, all the tribes of Israel had fought together, traveled together, and sometimes had sinned together. But now things were changing as two of the t …
After an extremely busy day in Capernaum, we find Jesus rising early the next morning (probably between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.) to spend time with His Father (vv. 35-39). According to an ancient tradition, a “solitary place†or “quiet place†was on a ridge of h …
Based on his own experience, Job concludes that innocent people suffer and wicked people prosper (vv. 21-24). Several times he says he is innocent (6:10; 10:7; 16:17; 27:6) and accused God of unfairness. He asserted that he was innocent, and at the same time recognized that …
The Lord gave David victory over his enemies, pursuing, crushing, and destroying them (vv. 37-42). God gave him rule over other nations (vv. 43-45). Everything he had done and everything he now enjoyed was because of the Lord’s enabling strength. Just as God has provided the offensive …
Bible scholars say that approximately two months had passed between the previous account and these events. The “feast of the dedication†(Hanukkah) (v. 22) takes place in December, which is near the time when we celebrate our Christmas. This feast celebrates the reded …
Israel will be exiled to Babylon. Jerusalem, why are you crying? Don’t you have a king? Have your advisors gone? Are you suffering like a woman in childbirth” (v. 9)? Micah is predicting the end of the kings. This was a drastic statement to the people of Judah, who thought t …
There are three prevailing myths concerning the ministry:
Paul begins a series of closing remarks, exhortations, challenges, and greetings. Faith, conviction, courage, and love are essential ingredients for success and victory. As the Corinthians wait for Paul’s next visit, he exhorts them to a fivefold commitment: …
Sheba, a trouble maker from the tribe of Benjamin asked the Israelites to follow him and rebel against David, and they did, while the people of Judah stayed close to David (vv. 1-2). The house of Benjamin had been jealous of David since he became king of Israel and Sheba hoped to …