In this passage we find Joshua’s retirement speech. His long life started in Egyptian bondage and ended in a worship service in the Promised Land. He had been used to lead Israel in defeating the enemy, conquering the land, and claiming the promised inheritance. He is now approaching 110 …
If you want to know the heart of the Bible, and the central truth about world history from God’s point of view, you only need to know two people: Adam and Christ …
A farmer who tilleth his land and works hard day after day will have plenty of good. On the other hand a man who lives in a dream world either physically or mentally and does not get his work done shows a lack of judgment (v. 11).Things that wicked people accumulate by devious me …
As this chapter opens Artaxerxes, the king who had forbidden the Jews to work on the temple, had been slain and a new king, Darius, had been on the throne for over a year. However no attempt had been made to start building again because everyone was discouraged including the lead …
“That day” (v. 1) refers to the future day of the Lord (14:1). “The house of David (political leaders) and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” include all the people of the land who need cleansing. The terms “sin” and “uncleanness” can refer sp …
This is one of the great prayers of Scripture. Hannah praises God through a poetic prayer for a son and all that God has done (vv. 1-10). We can learn from this passage that God sometimes withholds His blessings from those who walk uprightly, but only for a time …
The danger of an evil companion is pointed out. His actions contradict what he says. He plans evil actions so that you will not be aware of his intentions until it is too late. In the process of causing others to fall he will bring disaster on himself and his downfall will …
Hezekiah’s rule was characterized not only by devotion to God but by devotion with such intensity that even the high places were destroyed. Even the brazen serpent which Moses had erected seven hundred years earlier had become an object of worship and was reduced to scrap metal. …
Jephthah wanted victory over the Ammonites so badly that he made a foolish vow to God (vv. 29-31). If God would permit him to triumph over Ammon, he would offer up as a sacrifice the first thing that walked through the door of his house to meet him after the battle. The Spirit of the Lord …
I remember when I was in elementary school that there was an epidemic of measles broke out that was so contagious that it spread through the school like wildfire. Suddenly I became very conscious of who I talked with, realizing that I could catch a sickness that I didn’t want. It came …