The rest of this chapter has to do with the prophesy of Zacharias. He prophesied the coming of the Savior who would redeem His people and he predicted that his son John would prepare the Messiah’s way. No wonder Zacharias praised God! The Messiah would come in his lifetime …
The writer seems to be experiencing many trials and troubles in his life. Even though his difficulties are a result of his own weaknesses, he is not driven away from God but is drawn closer to Him. As believers we desire a deeper understanding and a greater insight into God’s Word…
The shortest way to Palestine was through the territory of the Philistines in the direction of? Beersheba. God chose to lead His people, not on the nearest way, but the way that was best for them (vv. 17-18), just as He does today. He led them southward, instead of eas …
The Lord told Moses to say to the community of Israel (vv. 1-2): You must supply the purest olive oil for the lamps in the sacred tent, so they will keep burning. Aaron will set up the gold lampstand in the holy place of the sacred tent (vv. 3-4). Then he will light the seven lam …
On this final trip from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples were passing through Jericho which is in the Jordan Valley about 15 miles from Jerusalem (v. 46). Jericho was a popular resort city in the Judean wilderness, not far from the Jordan River crossing from Perea. I …
Once again, the Ziphites betrayed David’s location to Saul (v. 1). Saul took 3,000 troops and went to find David. When they reached the area where David was camped, they were very tired and bedded down for the night with the intention of launching a surprise attack on David and his people …
To be wise is to be under God’s “seeing eyes” of protection (v. 12). To be unwise and treacherous, even in what one says, is to be on a path that will end in frustration. The lazy person has all kinds of excuses for not wanting to work (v. 13). When no dangers or difficulties exist, he imagines them …
Here is a list of the priests who had agreed to divorce their foreign wives and to sacrifice a ram as a sin offering (vv. 18-44). Although putting these pagan wives away was a severe solution, it appears that it only involved 113 of the approximately 29,000 families. This list of …
This passage should be understood as an illustration of what happens in a life void of humility (vv. 11-12). In fact harsh criticism of fellow Christians is one of the worst expressions of pride. The person who does it sets himself above the person he criticizes and the div …
The key phrase in Deuteronomy 13 is, “Let us go after other gods” (vv. 2,6,13). The Israelites were warned not to listen to false prophets or to anyone else who tried to get them to worship other gods (vv. 2-11). Loved ones and friends can be especially persuasive. But love for relatives should not …